A policeman frisks a Nandigram resident

Calcutta, March 16: The Nandigram movement is set to be chronicled on celluloid.

The film, to be made in Bengali, will tell the “true story” of Nandigram — the anti land-acquisition movement, the police firing on March 14, 2007, and the CPM recapture of the area in November that year. Shooting for Chokher Pani is expected to begin on Friday.

The film will be based on the novel of the same title written by political activist Manik Mandal, members of the production team said. Chokher Pani will be produced by Sarfaraz Alam.

Shyamal Karmakar, a Calcutta-based filmmaker who had worked as chief associate editor in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Parinda, will direct the movie. “The cast will comprise some real-life characters from Nandigram. They will re-live their experiences on celluloid,” said a member of the production team.

Sources said Ashok Viswanathan would act in the film. “Yes, I have a role in the film. But I cannot divulge more about my character at this point of time,” Viswanathan said.

Mandal, too, refused to speak about the film. “A film is being made on my book Chokher Pani. I had written the novel after coming out of jail. But I cannot say anything more right now,” he said. Members of the production unit were equally tight-lipped. “Wait till tomorrow for all the details,” said Aman Ahmed, the producer’s secretary.

A police officer said Mandal had been arrested along with scientist Nisha Biswas and schoolteacher Kanishka Choudhury from Lalgarh on June 16, 2010, on the charge of sedition. He is out on bail.

According to sources in the production team, the film will revolve around a Maoist who comes to Nandigram to expand the base of the rebels and falls in love with a village girl. “It is based on a true story. The real-life Maoist is now in jail,” a crewmember said.

The sources said the time of shooting had been “strategically” chosen. “The CBI submitted its final report on the March 14 police firing to the Supreme Court on Tuesday. The court is likely hear the case again on March 31. The shooting of the film will rekindle the emotions of the people of Nandigram at a time their eyes will be fixed on the verdict,” the crewmember said.

“Moreover, the Assembly elections will keep Nandigram in the headlines for the next few months,” he added.

Members of the production team said Chokher Pani would be a “celluloid tribute” to those who lost their lives in the Nandigram land war. “The film will feature real-life characters such as Afroza Bibi, Aleya Bibi and a woman who was paraded nude. Aleya Bibi was hit by a bullet in her stomach in the police firing. Her two-year-old daughter was killed in the firing,” said a member of the production team.

The sources said efforts were being made to rope in local Trinamul Congress MLA Firoza Bibi to play herself in the film. Firoza had lost her youngest son Sheikh Imdadul in the firing.

The film is expected to be shot in locations in and around Nandigram.