From Prosenjit Chatterjee’s blog

The word “partition” is one that most Indians have grown up with as a part of their consciousness. It’s not that we know of “people” who had seen it – it’s that those people were our parents, grandparents, or our best friends. 

We know of people who had to leave everything behind to come and start a new life in a new place. We know of the struggle and hardship that took place. We know of changing hierarchies and loyalties. Badal is one such character who has seen as well as experienced the hardship that one goes through during Partition. Goutam Ghose is immensely influenced by the political and cultural milieu of post independent India. 

Having the opportunity of visiting alien lands, he comments on the present scenario, the world is passing through, in his films. Shankhachil reflects the theme of borders and boundaries. The ablest hand of Gautam Ghose treated the idea of constant crossing, recrossing or with the rejection of borders and boundaries. Shankhachil discusses both the political impact and the methodological dimension of borders and boundaries by exposing the systematic correlations. Borders drawn out of some political interest affects the harmonious environments. This kind of division brings out nothing but wars, massacres, riots and unhappiness among the people. 

This division can only be blurred through the amalgamation of industry, cinema and culture. Shankhachil has been able to eliminate the difference between the the two cultures to a great extent. The film has been appreciated by audiences from both sides of Padma/Ganga. Winning the National Award just before the release of the film has helped in reaching out to more people. It is a great honour for the entire team of Shankhachil. People always expects this kind of honour for a Goutam Ghose film and Shankhachil too has lived up to its expectation. I’ve been flooded with phone calls and messages on social media. The response is really overwhelming. It would be an honour to represent the Bengali film industry in other parts of the world. Looking forward to more such joint ventures in the future which will enhance the film industry in both the countries. I thank the jury of the 63rd National Film Awards for bestowing upon us this honour. Now, excited about the release of Shankhachil. Hope the people of both the Bengals and beyond  like it.