A still from Johar that will release in theatres this November. Telegraph picture

Tinsel dreams in neighbours Bengal, Bihar and Odisha are twinkling bright with established film industries and their stars, but there’s precious little to be jolly about Jharkhand’s Jollywood reeling under a drought of commercial success for years.

But, Johar, which its makers claim is the “first Santhali commercial feature film” and is likely to release in theatres this November, may well buck the trend.

Produced by Pintu Durrani and Rajiv Tulsyan and directed by Shams Durrani, the 143-minute film mostly shot in and around Dhanbad with a largely local cast and crew, Johar seems different due to its inherent professionalism.

“This is the first commercial film in Santhali language. We are serious about a November release in Ranchi theatres. Post-production work of the film has been done in Mumbai. As a product, it stands out,” Durrani, an alumnus of SP College in Dumka who works largely out of Mumbai, said.

On the film’s story, Durrani said it was family-oriented and inspirational.

“We’re showing how an uneducated poor family changes when the daughter-in-law becomes a torchbearer of change by sheer dint of hard work and guts. The film shows the lady fighting with the powers-that-be who deprived her in-laws of their land,” Durrani said.

“It’s an enjoyable story with authentic cast and locales. Around 80 per cent of artistes are from Jharkhand,” the producer added.

The cast includes Dashrath Hansdah, Ganga Rani Thapa, Rajendra Vijay Kumar Sinha, Rajendra, Rashmi Pinki Paswan, Sony Murmu, Tikli Murmu, Binod Soren, Phoolmani Soren, Vishal Patel and O.P. Shah.

Well-known playback singer from Ranchi, Mitali Ghosh, has lent her voice to the songs. Her husband Bullu-Papa is the film’s music director.

Shooting locations in and around Dhanbad included Chota Ambona, Bhatinda Falls, Topchachi Lake, Maithon Dam, Nirsa, Shree Maa Bungalows, Koyla Nagar, Birsa Munda Park and more.

“It’s our dream to present a film made in Jharkhand by Jharkhandis and for Jharkhandis. We want the ticket-buying audiences to enjoy the story and relate to the characters,” the producer said.

He stressed on the “wholesome message” of the film.

“With this film, an honest effort has been made to motivate poor women to get education and fight for their rights. This apart, efforts have been made to present the rich cultural and natural heritage of Jharkhand in an entertaining way. Johar comes under the UA category and is a family film,” Durrani said.