On July 24, Team Putul Nacher Itikotha got together to talk about the film, which releases in theatres on August 1. The film Putul Nacher Itikotha is based on Manik Bandyopadhyay’s classic novel, which turns 90. Director Suman Mukhopadhyay, along with the film’s cast, discussed the relevance of this text in today’s context and shared the challenges of making the film at Asutosh Hall in the Indian Museum. “After completing my film Herbert in 2005, the next film I wanted to work on was Putul Nacher Itikotha. Like the character Sashi in the story, this script faced many challenges. Initially, it was under copyright protection. Once I obtained access, finding a producer was still a hurdle. Finally, I partnered with Samiran Das and Kaleidoscope. We spent a considerable amount of time on sound and editing. A notable achievement for this film has been its recognition at the Rotterdam Film Festival in a competitive category, as well as its German premiere, and we are also planning a Russian premiere. We chose an ensemble cast to portray such a profound text... their lives resonate with everyday experiences... it was challenging for the actors too to bring life to their characters,” Mukhopadhyay explained. He further explained how being involved with the script since 2006 helped him in his process of cinematic exploration.
He further elaborated on the characters and casting: “Abir (Chatterjee) has received international acclaim for his portrayal of Sashi. Jaya Ahsan was very enthusiastic about playing Kusum as the text was connected with her childhood, like many of us. I see a bit of Sashi within myself as well. Jadav Pandit’s story, particularly his voluntary death, is a rare occurrence and exploration in world literature. Dhritiman Chaterji brought this character to life. Shantilal Mukherjee plays Sashi’s father, and their relationship is fraught with conflict and themes of winning and losing. The story has numerous complex characters. Parambrata Chattopadhyay plays Kumud, who represents Sashi’s alter ego. Adapting literature for cinema often necessitates changes. I focused primarily on the stories of Sashi and Jadav Pandit, making selective choices throughout the process. Manik Bandyopadhyay wrote this work in the 1930s, and much of the emotional resonance remains relevant today, despite societal progress.”
Abir, who plays Sashi, shared his thoughts on the character and how he relates to him: “Playing Sashi has been a sought-after role for me. I have been part of various literature-based films, and these two forms are distinct; it is crucial how the director interprets the story. Through this film, I have been reintroduced to this author and novel, and I embraced the complex character of Sashi. I resonate with Sashi not only because I portrayed him but also due to the underlying conflicts within him.” Dhritiman, portraying Jadav Pandit, remarked, “Putul Nacher Itikotha is a metaphor that holds deep meaning even in its title. It is undeniably contemporary and will always maintain its relevance. The themes are timeless.” Discussing her character Kusum, Jaya expressed: “This is the kind of film that every actor desires to be part of. I was thrilled to receive the role but also had doubts about my ability to bring it to life. Kusum is a modern, strong character and is one of my favourites. Abir did an outstanding job as Sashi; I can confidently say that as his co-artiste.” Shantilal, who has previously collaborated with Mukhopadhyay, plays Sashi’s father, Gopal. He noted, “Suman has been immersed in this film for many years, so he understands the character very well."