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A film inspired by Mahasweta Devi

Director Arindam Sil is all set to direct a film inspired by the life and works of Mahasweta Devi, Indian fiction writer in Bengali and a socio-political activist, produced by Firdausul Hasan and Prabal Halder. The title, Mahananda is the story of the passing on of the torch. The torch bearers from different ages who carry forward the concept, the movement named Mahashweta. It is a story of giving direction to the lives in this time of social political unrest.

"Asoke Dasgupta, who had scribbled a few pointers, stated that a film should be made on the life and times of Mahashweta Devi. When I sat and thought about it, I realised that no matter what film I make I talk about life and humanity. Mahashweta Devi is just not an author or a character from the fiction called life because she has seen the rise and fall of it. I think she has been forgotten and swept aside by us Bengalis, yet she should have been in the forefront of our consciousness," said Arindam Sil.

"We have chosen to forget her because she worked in the back of the beyond among the Santhals and never compromised with her work or ran after limelight. Our film is about a movement called Mahashweta. Today when we talk about gender equality or woman empowerment, we forget that she talked about it long back. She talked about the Santhals women. When she had raised her voice that India's history of Independence needed to be looked into, she was talking about the Santhals and their contribution. This is one of the reasons she is so important for us today.

Today we need to talk about her political philosophy, her work, and her uncompromising ethics.

We need this film today," he added.

Firdausul Hasan, producer of the film, said, "Friends Communication production house has been doing movies with a social message.

We believe movies have the capacity to inform influence while entertaining. While we don't want to be preachy, we believe in bringing

stories robust with a philosophy of its own to the people. And

Mahananda is an effort on the same lines. Mahasweta Devi is not just an author or a social activist. She was much ahead of her times. She is like a milestone in our social consciousness that we need to reach touch and imbibe. We are happy to produce this movie."

The cast includes Gargee Roy Chowdhury as Mahananda, Ishaa Saha, Gourav Chakraborty. Story and screenplay will be done by

Arindam Sil and Subhendu Dasmunshi, and music will be composed by Bickram Ghosh.

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