Hoichoi, the top Bengali OTT player, makes its entrance into the Bengali entertainment sector by announcing the launch of its new content division, Hoichoi Studios. Hoichoi Studios is committed to telling non-episodic stories through theatrical motion pictures while expanding its format and storytelling medium.

With the launch and foray into being a Content Production Hub with hoichoi studios, it plans on curating relatable stories that have traditionally been limited to the Web and expanding the reach of such stories to other geographies with the aid of hoichoi’s learning from data over the last 6 years as well as from direct user feedback. With three to five theatrical releases beginning this year, hoichoi studios intend to entertain and give audiences the best big-screen experience. 

Every year, hoichoi will continue to release 25–30 Original series in addition to World Premiere films. For the millions of customers who utilize hoichoi across the globe, hoichoi studios serve as an additional wing. 

The first project under hoichoi studios, Shri Swapankumar-er Badami Hyena’r Kobole, which is scheduled for a theatrical release this Kali Puja, is revealed, adding to the celebration of the establishment of hoichoi studios. The film, which is being directed by Debaloy Bhattacharya and is based on the well-known pulp novels of Shri Swapankumar, will star popular actor Abir Chatterjee as the investigator Deepak Chatterjee and seasoned actor Paran Bandyopadhyay as the author Swapankumar.

The story of the film begins with the city in danger. The dreaded international terrorist Badami Hyena is traveling to the city with evil intentions.

After decades, the long-forgotten investigator Deepak Chatterjee emerges from his labyrinth once again, at the request of Swapankumar, the author of his books. He founded Deepak Chatterjee and is a prolific pulp writer. He wants him to return to the fray and defend the city once more. He wants to take a chance on possibly penning the final installment of Deepak’s adventure stories.

Deepak Chatterjee reunites with his longtime confidant Ratanlal to pursue the elusive criminal who has just arrived. They succeed in obtaining the covert container containing the fabled Badami Hyena lifeline. But as Ratan appears to have been murdered, it disappears. A young woman named Tashi sees the murder.

At that point, Swapankumar begins to change the story. On Deepak’s plea, he revives Ratanlal. Ratanlal joins the narrative as a character. As time goes on, a power struggle develops between the author and his main character over control of the story. Deepak tirelessly pursues the elusive Badami Hyena, turning this struggle into a game before learning a startling reality.

Abir Chatterjee said of his first endeavor with hoichoi studios, “It’s a great time for all of us who are involved in the process of producing content for the pleasure of the general public. Being a part of the inaugural production for hoichoi studios as well as executing the role of Deepak Chatterjee in Shri Swapankumar-er Badami Hyena’r Kobole makes me incredibly happy. I’m hoping hoichoi, which has received a lot of adoration from viewers in the realm of OTT, will experience the same level of adoration as it transitions to a new storytelling style with hoichoi studios”.

“The feeling of creating the first content for hoichoi studios itself comes with a lot of excitement. This is made even better by the ability to develop a film featuring a well-known Bengali figure who exudes pulp and excitement and by the chance to debut Bengal’s first action-based detective material. I am really excited to be able to present a lot of content with hoichoi studios that tell powerful stories and does magic on the big screen” said Debaloy Bhattacharya.

The shooting will start in May.

Priyanka Dutta