The makers of Devi Chowdhurani recently dropped its trailer, sending fans into a frenzy and generating more buzz around it. The much-anticipated film, which reimagines the life of India’s first woman freedom fighter, is also expected to provide a thrilling account of the almost-forgotten Sanyasi rebellion of 1770.

Starring Srabanti Chatterjee as the eponymous character and Prosenjit Chatterjee in the role of Bhavani Pathak, her mentor and the leader of the armed resistance, the impactful trailer traces the chronological development of Srabanti’s character from Prafulla, a fearless, free-spirited young maiden to Devi Chowdhurani, a formidable fighter in the group of forest brigands who rose up in armed struggle against the colonial forces of the British. It focuses on her backstory and gives an indication of the extraordinary skill sets she already possessed as a girl, which hints to her future as a queen of dacoits.

Prosenjit’s character is also established in the trailer, portraying him as much a worshipper and devotee of Goddess Kali as a fearsome leader of a band of robbers. Bhavani’s training of Prafulla in the art of battle and weaponry, and the many sensational and acrobatic action sequences that fill the latter part of the trailer convey a great deal about the fitness regimen the duo must have followed and the strength training they must have undergone to have portrayed their characters convincingly.

The trailer is a testimony to the solid performances of Srabanti and Prosenjit, who give their characters an almost superhuman quality. The action sequences and spectacular shots of armed battles with the British in the trailer also impress by capturing the spirit of that time, channelling the courage, grit and defiance of Bhavani Pathak’s gang of robbers and patriots.

Based on the novel by Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay and with its plot firmly based in history, the trailer does not miss out on depicting the atrocities carried out by the British. Another significant aspect it touches upon is the harmony between Hindus and Muslims, who are shown to be united in their struggle against the British. The trailer has already struck a powerful chord with audiences, leaving viewers spellbound with its hard-hitting visuals, intense performances and raw depiction of rebellion. Action scenes are kept authentic and help build the world of the film effectively through realistic costumes and the use of weapons like bows, arrows, spears and swords.

The background music reinforces the film’s themes of patriotism and armed revolt, accentuating the action and celebrating the valour and courage of its protagonists. Photography and colour aesthetics add to the atmosphere of rage and violence, with the warm tone and temperature of the scenes enhancing historical grandeur. The trailer is defined by an epic canvas, especially in its final moments, leaving viewers with a sense of awe, inspiration and admiration.

Written and directed by Subhrajit Mitra, Devi Chowdhurani also stars Sabyasachi Chakrabarty, Arjun Chakrabarty, Bibriti Chatterjee, Darshana Banik, Kinjal Nanda, Debjani Chatterjee and others in important roles. Devi Chowdhurani releases in theatres on September 26