Filmmaker Promita Bhowmik made her debut with the poetry film Apeksha (The Waiting). Promita also directed a documentary film as well. She then directed Porichoy (The Identity), a short film.

Promita always was inclined toward filmmaking. She enrolled in filmmaking courses to know the technicality behind making films. It was in 2018 that she decided to leave her job and start making films.

The director is now ready with her fourth venture, a short film titled Probaho (The Flow of Life) that features Madhabi Mukherjee in the lead role. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the director in an exclusive chat. Excerpts..

What is the story of Probaho?

Promita Bhowmik- Pandemic is now over. A 75-year-old woman named Mrinmoyi lost her kid and husband to this dreadful plague. She is now all alone. She has witnessed the passing of numerous loved ones, both known and unknown while enduring this extraordinary tragedy. But even after this period of extreme upheaval, Mrinmoyi wants to move forward and discover life. The Pandemic has changed the way she views the world. She moves steadily forward as she rediscovers the attractions of a life she had thought she had lost. Mrinmoyi rediscovers how to love herself.

How was your feeling when Madhabi Mukherjee agreed to do the film?

Promita Bhowmik- I did not expect that she will agree to do the film. I called her and she said that she will do the film only if she liked the script. This is her first short film. During that time Sandhya Mukherjee expired. I thought about whether I should go or not. However, I went and narrated the script and she was ready to do the film.

Despite being such a veteran actress, she is such a great person. She always used to ask me what I wanted from a scene. She never made me feel like I am a new director. I am grateful to her.

How was the experience of directing Madhabi Mukherjee?

Promita Bhowmik- She used to become the character when she came to the sets. She used to be so prepared always. I got a call from her even at 10 pm at night for making some improvisations for a scene. Whenever she came to the shooting floor, no one could guess her age.

Where did you shoot the film?

Promita Bhowmik- We shot the film in Kolkata for two days at a house.

Does the film have any music?

Promita Bhowmik- There is no background music. We have tried to do something new with the sound design of the film.

Will you direct a web series?

Promita Bhowmik- I do not have any plans of directing web series at the moment.

What is your next project?

Promita Bhowmik- I have a script ready for a feature film. Let me get a producer and then I will do the announcement.

What are your expectations from Probaho?

Promita Bhowmik- I want the film to do well at the different festivals that I have sent it. I want the global audience to appreciate a Bengali film. Some of the festivals where I have sent the film and it has got good appreciation are:

Awards and Official selection in the festival: (Till date)

1. Sweden Film Awards 2022 (Semi-finalist)
2. Bengaluru International Short Film Festival 2022 (Official Selection – Finalist Competition Section)
3. South Asian Short Film Festival 2022 (Official Selection Competition Section)
4. Madras Independent Film Festival 2022 (Best Women Director Award Winner)
5. Pune Short Film Festival 2022 (Official Selection)
6. The Talking Frames International Film Festival 2022 (Official Selection and Best Sound Design Award Winner)
7. Chitrabharati Short Film Competition, 2022 (Official Selection & Honourable Mention Award Winner)