The special screening of Devi Chowdhurani at PVR-INOX (South City) turned into a veritable Tolly reunion. The screening, attended by the film’s cast and a packed house of industry faces, drew some of the biggest names from Bengali cinema.
Front and centre were the film’s leads — Prosenjit Chatterjee, Srabanti Chatterjee, Bibriti Chatterjee and Darshana Banik — who greeted guests and posed for photos before the lights dimmed. The guest list read like a who’s who of Tollywood: Dev, Ankush Hazra, Koushani Mukherjee, Srijit Mukherji and Ishaa Saha were among those spotted exchanging pleasantries. Director Subhrajit Mitra looked visibly emotional as he thanked the audience and cast for standing by the film.
Srabanti Chatterjee and Koushani Mukherjee
Once the film began, it became evident that Devi Chowdhurani was aiming for a scale seldom attempted in contemporary Bengali cinema. Adapted from Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel, the story traces the transformation of Prafulla, a young woman from a modest background, into Devi Chowdhurani, a leader of a band of forest brigands who rise against British colonial forces. Srabanti Chatterjee inhabits the titular role with conviction, portraying Devi Chowdhurani’s courage, determination and eventual command with a sense of gravitas that makes the later action-driven sequences believable. As Devi Chowdhurani, she commands attention, and the physicality and composure she brings to the action sequences are credible and engaging.
Prosenjit Chatterjee’s Bhavani Pathak, meanwhile, runs much of the film with his presence. As mentor, strategist and leader, he embodies a steady centre around which the narrative revolves. His performance does not rely on flamboyance; instead, the restraint in his gestures and the weight of his silences lend the character a quiet authority. The chemistry between him and Srabanti anchors the story, providing the tension and guidance necessary for Devi Chowdhurani’s transformation.
Aniruddha Dasgupta and Aparna Dasgupta
Supporting performances add texture to the narrative without overshadowing the leads. Bibriti Chatterjee and Darshana Banik provide nuanced takes on their respective roles, while Arjun Chakrabarty and Kinjal Nanda make brief but effective appearances. Sabyasachi Chakrabarty as zamindar Harballabh Roy embodies the oppressive authority with subtle menace. The ensemble collectively contributes to a world that feels alive, populated by individuals who have their own stakes within the rebellion.
Dressed in a crisp white kurta, Prosenjit Chatterjee reflected on the state of the Bengali film industry and the collaborative spirit that drives it. “Our industry works because of love, not rivalry. No matter whose film it is, when a project succeeds, the money comes back to the industry, and that’s the idea — everyone benefits when cinema thrives. This year has been a superb period for Bengali films, and we need to keep that energy going. Even small-budget films have done amazing business, and that deserves to be celebrated. Out of 450 producers I’ve worked with, around 100 were making their first film with me, and it’s heartening to see that many of them have gone on to do incredible work. We also have a commitment — this is our job, and it’s something we take seriously," he said.
He paused, his tone turning more personal. “We carry our responsibilities, our passions, and our personal lives alongside our work. That’s why when a film like Devi Chowdhurani comes together, with so much effort from so many people, it’s only natural to feel proud and to celebrate it.”
Dev said that the film industry thrives on collaboration rather than competition, adding, “We want every film to succeed. Bumbada and I have promoted our films individually, but today is about Devi Chowdhurani, and I’m genuinely happy to be here.”
The film also attempts to contextualise Devi Chowdhurani’s journey within the Sanyasi-Fakir rebellion, a lesser-known episode of resistance against the East India Company in Bengal. Ragged Hindu ascetics and Muslim fakirs, united by common grievances, rise together, and the sequences depicting their solidarity carry historical and political weight. While these moments are brief, they enrich the narrative by situating Devi Chowdhurani’s personal transformation within a wider collective struggle, reinforcing the sense of rebellion as both individual and shared.
Musically, the score complements the film’s themes of resistance and courage, accentuating key action sequences and emotional beats. The production design, while occasionally challenged by CGI limitations, remains impressive, with interiors, village settings, and weaponry rendered with a sense of authenticity that adds depth to the cinematic world.
Visually, the film attempts to recreate 18th-century Bengal with careful attention to detail. The sets, costumes, and props suggest meticulous research, and daylight sequences in particular convey the atmosphere and texture of the period effectively. The cinematography alternates between composed, almost painterly frames and handheld sequences that provide intimacy and immediacy. Certain night scenes feel uneven, reminding viewers of the limits of visual effects in the production. Still, technical shortcomings do little to diminish the overall narrative, which relies as much on the actors’ presence and the choreography of action as on spectacle.
Overall, Devi Chowdhurani is an ambitious attempt to bring a literary and historical figure to life on screen. Srabanti Chatterjee’s portrayal of Devi Chowdhurani is compelling, Prosenjit Chatterjee’s steady performance provides cohesion, and the ensemble cast, production design, and music collectively create a sense of immersion in a turbulent period of Bengal’s history.
For Tollywood, the screening marked a significant moment: a large-scale period drama featuring some of the industry’s leading actors, bringing historical and literary material to the big screen in a way rarely attempted in contemporary Bengali cinema. It was an evening that celebrated both the effort behind the film and the enduring fascination with one of Bengal’s most legendary heroines.