“I shot an ad with Dhrubo da for Toptech TMT Bar and we developed a liking for each other. Dhrubo da toiled hard to make this film. The film will stay in the history of Bengali films. Whether it will be a hit or a flop, that I don’t know. But I know that Dhrubo da will stay in the history of Bengali films for taking the challenge to make this film and tell the story of Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari” said Dev at the song launch of Juddhang Dehi at Mohammedan Sporting Club.

The launch was graced by the presence of the director Dhrubo Banerjee, Dev, Ishaa Saha, Sovan Ganguly, John Bhattacharya, and members of Mohunbagan Sporting Club, East Bengal Sporting Club, and Mohammedan Sporting Club.

The song Juddhang Dehi is among the important songs in the film and this showcases the training of the football players as they prepare for the challenge against the Britishers. The song shows how the ancient ways of working out and also some fantastic moments from the film.

The lyrics of this song have been written by Srijato while Nirmalya Roy and Sovan Ganguly have sung the song.

Bickram Ghosh collaborated with Dhrubo Banerjee after Guptodhoner Sondhane and Durgeshgorer Guptoshon. The song is actually a war cry and showcases the undying emotions of the individuals who wanted to bring about change through football.

The story of the film is about Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari and how he challenged the social structure and led the team to a thrilling victory against the Britishers.

Speaking at the event, the director said “Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari was a great man indeed. He singlehandedly built the Wellington Club and he fought for the rights of the Indians to enter the Maidan. This was during the time when Indians were whipped for entering Maidan. His story is worth telling. And I could not imagine any other actor in the lead role of Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari other than Dev. He breathed life in the character”.

“I was not aware of Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikari when Dhrubo da contacted me to do this role. Most Bengalis are unaware of the contribution done by this man. But while doing this film, I came to know about him and I was so amazed by him. I don’t know whether I or Dhrubo da will make another film as grand like this ever again” said Dev.

The film is eyeing for release on 10^th October.

Priyanka Dutta