The announcement of the upcoming Bengali film Mahananda took place recently in the presence of the director Arindam Sil, music director Bickram Ghosh, Gargee Roy Chowdhury, Ishaa Saha, producer Firdausul Hasan and others.

“The journey of the film Mahananda began with a packet that Gargee gave me. It was from Mr Asoke Dasgupta who had scribbled a few pointers and stated that a film should be made on the life and times of Mahasweta Devi. I was quite surprised that he had chosen to give me this task as I only made thrillers and detective movies. But he felt I could do justice to his thoughts, which is a humbling complement, and talk about her life” said Arindam Sil.

The film is not only about the author but also about humanity. Mahasweta Devi is just not an author or a character from life but a real person who wrote about the downtrodden.

“The film is about a movement called Mahasweta Devi. Today when we talk about gender equality or woman empowerment we forget that she talked about it long ago. She talked about the santhals women. The film is not a preachy one. It only shows her work” said Gargee.

The film is about an author Mahananda whose character has similarities with the life and persona of Mahasweta Devi. And another person from a very different background and upbringing becomes interested in Mahananda. She is young vibrant Mahalaya.

“Whenever I compose music for Arindam’s film, the music is just like how the film will look. The narrative and the music compliment one another. Till now, I just have received his message. I will be getting more details soon” said Bickram Ghosh.

The shooting of the film will begin soon.

Priyanka Dutta