The trailer launch of the upcoming Bengali film Batsorik was graced by director Mainak Bhaumik, actors Satabdi Roy, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Ishan Mazumder, and others.

A widow, Bristi, and her sister-in-law, Swapna, argue because the latter thinks their home is cursed. They have to deal with their grief and a potential supernatural presence as strange things start to happen close to the anniversary of her husband’s death. This is the story of Batsorik.

Mainak Bhaumik shared a trivia about the name of the film Batsorik. “Rituparno Ghosh initially named Unishe April as Batsorik. But due to some reasons, he changed the name to Unishe April. So I took the liberty to use this name for my film,” said the director.

Satabdi Roy shared a horror experience during the trailer launch event. “I was resting on the bed, and I could sense as if someone had climbed on the bed and lay down beside me. I was so horrified that I did not turn to see what it was in reality. I did not even reach out for the mobile. I was so scared. I was thinking that if the supernatural element found me alive would do something to me. Hence, I stayed still”.

Satabdi Roy added, “I saw the trailer today at the launch event. I placed my trust in Mainak when I decided to work in films again. And that trust was worth it. Even if I did not work on this film, I would have wanted to watch the film. It raises my curiosity to many levels. Why did this happen, and why did that happen? The trailer looks promising”.

Ritabhari said that the film was special for him. “Working with Satabdi di was amazing. I had worked with her in a telefilm directed by my mother. I had worked as a junior artist back then. I was amazed then by her good looks. And even when I worked with her after so many years, the feeling is the same,” said the actress.

Ritabhari said that she enjoyed working in the film. “Following the director’s words is more than enough for working in the film. He was aware of what he wanted from the actors, and we followed that. That made our work simple. One of the highlights of the film is that it does not have any haunted house or any of the ghost tropes. It follows the lives of two women, their relationship, and a supernatural element”.

Ishan Mazumder said, “I got the offer for the film when I was dancing in a pub. Mainak called me and said that he wanted me to act in his film. And instantly, I said yes. I did not even listen to the story. Working with him is a pleasure. And you could not see me in the trailer because I was the ghost. I will not reveal much about my character, though”.

Satabdi Roy highlighted the changes in Bengali films over the years. “Content is the new hero. Earlier, when we did films, it was just commercial films where the heroine had little to do. But now things have changed, and women-centric films are made. Even the women characters have more substance. Cameras have changed a lot. Now there are multiple cameras, and chip systems have come. So a lot of changes have taken place,” added the actress.

The film is slated for release on the 6^th of June.

Priyanka Dutta