Jalsha Movies announced its new initiative “Jalsha Movies Originals” via a webinar organized recently. The press meet was graced by Prosenjit Chatterjee, Kamaleswar Mukherjee, Shaheb Chatterjee, Biswanath Basu, and others.

Jalsha Movies Originals is an initiative to restore the art of theatre-making in Bengal and to make it more contemporary and appealing to the TV watching viewers. The aim is to bring theatre to TV in a larger than life format while keeping the essence of the stage intact.

The two-hour-long televised finite stories will see renowned actors in important roles.

The first of the Jalsha Movies Originals is Antony Kobiyal. It is based on a romantic biography of Hansmen Antony or Firingi Antony, a Portuguese Christian who lived in yesteryears’ Calcutta. He adapted and practiced local customs and manners of eighteenth-century Bengal. He was so allured and influenced by the culture that he started his training in Bengali songs in the genre of contemporary kobiyals. Anthony even fell in love with a local widowed lady, Saudamini, and married her.

Shaheb Chatterjee will be seen in the role of Antony Kobiyal. The actor thanked Prosenjit Chatterjee for considering him in this role. He also mentioned that this is based on the play strictly and must not be compared with the yesteryear Bengali film.

The original play written by Bidhayak Bhattacharya, this Jalsha Movies Originals, Antony Kobiyal will see Tollywood celebrities like Shaheb Chatterjee, Kharaj Mukherjee & Saoli Chattopadhyay amongst others in important roles.

The three other Jalsha Movies Originals following Antony Kobiyal are Baypika Bidae, Joy Maa Kali Boarding, and Srimoti Bhoyankori, scheduled to premiere in November and December 2020.

Prosenjit Chatterjee said “Theatre is not so much in vogue in recent times. With this initiative, we want to show to the youngsters the rich heritage of Bengali theatre. Many of our actors in recent times also have come from a theatre background. Hence the importance of theatre can never be rejected. Shaheb’s acting as Antony will remain etched in the minds of the audience for a long time. He has done a fantastic job”.

Amongst others, Jalsha Movies has also taken special care to restore the original scripts of the titles with absolutely zero deviation. The songs in the series have been sung by the actors themselves restoring yet another aspect of theatre.

Antony Kobiyal, is scheduled to premiere on 15th November 2020 at 8 pm only on Jalsha Movies & Jalsha Movies HD.

Priyanka Dutta