PHIRE DEKHA: THE BANGLA FILM MAY TURN IN THE AUDIENCE TO THE SCREENS

The dream of making films from Siliguri is a dream for every film making aspirants from this region. There have been talks of making films from here. However, materialistically some backward pressure lets the aspirations go down the drain or may become a reality the social accepting ambiance don’t stay together. This may be contributed to various factors in terms of lack in real efforts, miserly financial investments, age-old technicalities, non-cooperative environment etc.

Decades ago Rajbonshi films came up and were being released in the single screens during the end of the last millennium, however, those bombed for certain obvious reasons. This led into a big gap of the production houses to go in for further ventures. However, in recent times there are some efforts coming up from certain initiators. One of them is Mr. Shyamal Mitra, a Government service holder. Yes, you heard it right, he is a man from a different background coming up with his first production that also a full-length Bengali feature film titled ‘Phire Dekha’ exclusively from North Bengal.

The ‘Phire Dekha’ is totally shot in Siliguri and North Bengal can be termed as an effort involving established actors from Tollywood (Kolkata) as the main lead. The well-known faces like Bhaskar Banerjee, Pushpita Mukherjee, Arun Banerjee etc. are serving the cast of the film. This is for the first time so many established actors are in a film from North Bengal and that too in lead role. Speaking on this occasion Mr. Shyamal Mitra told TNI that “It’s an honor for me that all of them have relied on me and my teams efforts in making the film”. He also described the hardship of making the film which was earlier planned to release last year. However, due certain medical complications of Mr. Mitra himself and the financial crunch the production was delayed a bit. However, it was an effort which is waiting for the audience to grab. Mr. Mitra also told about the infrastructural problems especially associated with the sets, equipment, and the ambience of film etc. Mr. Mitra’s family also supported the endeavor fully. TNI got the opportunity to talk to the lead actress of film i.e. Pushpita Mukherjee. She is a household name among the Bengali Tele serial viewers not only in India but Worldwide especially among the Bengalis. According to her “The efforts of Mr. Mitra is really commendable. I was a bit skeptical about acting in a film outside Tollywood especially in North Bengal. However, when I just worked with the team it was completely a different experience. May be there are constraints in various aspects yet, I found it comfortable to work with a crew of ‘Phire Dekha’ who were highly devoted to their passion and objectives.

Mr. Mitra who is always coming up with a smiling face but I as a professional know how much hard it was for him to streamline all the necessary things for him in the film. I had to work hard each and every minute and had to complete it within the schedule along with my co-actors from Kolkata like Bhaskar Da, Arun Da and also the local artist from there. I am waiting with crossed fingers for the film to release”. The other cast in the film are from Siliguri and Kolkata like Som (Hero of the film), is an engineer by profession who is also acting in theatres and doing modeling assignments is from Siliguri and now based in Kolkata. Upcoming model Priya is playing opposite to Som is a regular in modeling, Savi (another actress of the film), is an actor from Kolkata with an experience of acting in TV. All of the actors were looking forward to ‘Phire Dekha’ and its release shortly. The editing is done by Prasun Sankar, who has already edited 4-5 films by this time i.e. in various languages. He is also into national and international advertisement assignments. TNI also spoke to him in this regard. According to him ‘Phire Dekha’ was one of a unique opportunity for the people fraternity in North Bengal to try in concentrate on their dreams of film making here in North Bengal. I am very much hopeful for the film”.

All of the actors were looking forward to ‘Phire Dekha’ and its release shortly. The editing is done by Prasun Sankar, who has already edited 4-5 films by this time i.e. in various languages. He is also into national and international advertisement assignments. TNI also spoke to him in this regard. According to him ‘Phire Dekha’ was one of a unique opportunity for the people fraternity in North Bengal to try in concentrate on their dreams of film making here in North Bengal. I am very much hopeful for the film”. The film was already premiered in Siliguri’s Dinabandhu Manch on 23^rd September 2016 with excellent reviews by the audience. With all the hopes can the smiles come to the team of the film makers of this place. Obviously, time will give the answer.

Photos: Sri Bishnu Films (Siliguri)