Kolkata Calling is inspired by Mrinal Sen's 'Calcutta 71': Mainak

Mainak Bhaumik at a press meet of the film, based on the restlessness of youth and their dreams, said: “The inspiration to make this movie originated from Mrinal Sen’s Calcutta 71. Having said that, Kolkata Calling is what is Kolkata thinking today. The movie is about everybody who is doing something or the other to survive in this world, compromising the inner calling and not doing what they really want to do in their lives for variable reasons."

 

He said: "When I was working abroad, my friends and family were content as I was doing something productive but to me, my calling was making films here. My calling was to direct Bengali movies and work with and for the Bengali culture. So, Kolkata Calling comes from personal experiences.”

 

Sharing his views on working with the star-studded cast, he said: “The contentment comes from the fact that I get to work with people like Kaushik Sen and it’s amazing because in my college days, everybody used to get star struck in June Malia’s presence and I get to work with her now. I’ve always wanted to work with Samrat, since he stays in America; it is only now that we worked together. And, what I feel is, Ritwick is one of the best actors of this generation and working with him was an amazing experience."

 

He said: "It’s my third movie with Raima and whenever I think of a cosmopolitan Bengali character, I can’t imagine anybody but her for that role. Raima introduced me to Ria and I discovered she has her own rhythm and a different approach towards acting. Ria wished her mother’s role should be played by her own mother, hence, Moon Moon Sen. So Kolkata Calling, for me, was working with some of my favorite people.”

 

 The conference was attended by Kaushik Sen, June Malia, Raima Sen, Ria Sen and Shataf Figar.

 

When asked about his experience on working in Kolkata Calling, Kaushik Sen said, “Funnily enough, Mainak’s unorganized approach drew me  towards his skills as a director, plus, we have a shared love for theater. I got to work with June after a long time. While Raima and I don’t get to share screen space together in this movie, it was a good experience working with Ria. I think she has done really well in the movie.”

 

June reflected the same views as Kaushik and said: “It was wonderful to work with Mainak. I've been meaning to work with him for a long time and when I got that phone call, I was really thrilled.”

 

She added: “It was great sharing screen space with Ria. She has done a great job in the movie. I think she’ll be rediscovered. People will find a new Ria in the movie. I think Ria is the star of the movie.”

 

Ria said, “I think they all have already spoken a lot about my character in the movie and my relationship with my co-stars, but I thank Mainak for casting me. Also, I think it is a very good film and a great script. So everyone should go watch it.”

 

 Talking about the under-water sequence shot for the song ‘Chai’ in the movie, Mainak said: “As it was winter when we shot that sequence, I think Raima and Samrat must be lauded for their act here. I never knew Raima is such a good swimmer.”

 

According to the makers, the film is about the youth who dare to dream the impossible dream.

 

"This film is about those fragile souls who are in desperate search of that elusive thing called  happiness. Not finding it in their parent's and society's safe plan of the security of a  decent job and a stable life, they look for it elsewhere, in their search for fame; in love; in chemical & substance abuse and artistic freedom of expression, all in the hope to stand out in the crowd," said the filmmaker.

 

Produced by Jalan International Films Pvt Ltd, “Kolkata Calling”, “Kolkata Calling” which is scheduled to be released on Nov 21 , featuring Moon Moon Sen, Raima Sen, Riya Sen, Ritwick Chakroborty, Samrat Chakraborti, Kaushik Sen, June Malia and Shataf Figar.

 

 

 

 

(Reporting by Torsha Banerjee)