Cinema is fun—hell, cinema is important too. But sometimes, we need to prioritize, and when real life demands attention, reel life has to take a backseat. In light of this, or perhaps as part of a wise business decision, two Bengali films have been postponed indefinitely, all because of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at RG Kar Medical College.
The two titles are Ei Raar Tomar Amaar, directed by Parambrata Chatterjee, and Jomaloye Jibonto Bhanu, featuring Sashwata Chatterjee.
Ei Raar Tomar Amaar generated some buzz, as the chemistry between Anjan Dutta and Aparna Sen would undoubtedly be impeccable. However, the film didn’t receive much advertisement, partly because Parambrata has been actively participating in the ongoing protests. Postponing the film is definitely a wise choice, as not many people would be inclined to visit theaters right now, especially in such turbulent times.
On the other hand, Jomaloye Jibonto Bhanu, the upcoming Sashwata Chatterjee film, was set to explore the life of Bhanu Bandopadhyay. This could have added another feather to Saswata’s already impressive career. Playing the role of such an iconic comedy figure in Bengali entertainment, Sashwata was perfectly cast as the legendary comedian.
Both films were originally slated for release on August 30th, but the latest updates confirm that they are postponed indefinitely.
One factor that might have affected the box office for these films is the Stree 2 fever, combined with the lack of promotion. But putting those aside, the decision to postpone is justified, as the Bengali audience is not in the mood to enjoy a movie experience right now.
At the moment, Bengal is in turmoil—the law, the government, everything. Some things are more serious than others, and right now, justice for the RG Kar incident is more important than enjoying a film in a theater and munching on popcorn.