‘I’m studying from them’: Shiboprosad Mukhopadhyay on movie stars in politics

If the trailer for ‘Bohurupi: The Golden Daku’ is something to go by, the sequel is about to boost uncomfortable questions concerning the system.

From delays within the fee of dearness allowance (DA) to how the frequent man is caught between the police and the federal government, the movie seems to discover a number of socio-political realities. A sequel to the 2024 Durga Puja blockbuster ‘Bohurupi’, it appears to take its anti-establishment undertones a step additional. And director-actor Shiboprosad Mukhopadhyay, who returns as Bikram Pramanik, a typical man turned dacoit, isn’t afraid to ask troublesome questions via his movies. Why, then, does he chorus from talking about socio-political points in actual life?

“A poet expresses himself via poetry, a painter via work and a director via movies. In addition to, shouldn’t the representatives of our movie business, who’re all stars and superstars and in addition concerned in full-time politics, reply these questions?” he requested.

It’s a longstanding paradox within the Bengali movie business, the place a number of celebrities are energetic members of political events however are not often heard talking up on urgent socio-political points. “They’re our function fashions. They’re all profitable and I’m studying from what they’re educating us,” he stated with a smirk.

Following the record-breaking success of ‘Bohurupi’ in 2024 Puja, Shiboprosad and his directorial associate Nandita Roy return with a sequel that blends industrial attraction with pointed social commentary.

“There may be an anti-establishment message within the movie. However we have now proven what we have now learn, learnt and seen. A retired particular person died with out receiving his DA. Even a police officer is struggling in life. His household makes use of him, whereas relations and society put strain on him. Have we not seen such individuals in actuality? When an abnormal particular person falls sufferer to fraud, we should have a look at the backstory,” stated the filmmaker, recognized for hits similar to ‘Haami’ and ‘Bela Shuru’.

Identified for his or her family-centric dramas, Nandita and Shiboprosad ventured into thrillers with ‘Raktabeej’ in 2022, adopted by ‘Bohurupi’ in 2024. The latter mixed industrial components with a robust socio-political narrative, whereas Shiboprosad’s portrayal of Bikram Pramanik earned appreciable consideration.

Their newest success, ‘Phool Pishi O Edward’, has already made a mark on the field workplace this 12 months. Requested whether or not Bengali cinema has carried out beneath expectations in 2026, Shiboprosad responded with a sarcastic commentary.

“When actresses play the lead, how can these movies be referred to as hits? We predict solely male actors are able to pulling it off on the field workplace,” he stated. The smirk is again once more. The irony is tough to overlook: ‘Phool Pishi O Edward’ and ‘Ajo Ardhangini’, two of the Bengali releases to carry out effectively on the field workplace this 12 months, are each led by girls.