Mithila to teach Bangladeshi dialect in Tollywood film 'Debi Chowdhurany'

Popular actress Rafiath Rashid Mithila will be training Tollywood actors Rangaraj and Nishi to speak with a Bangladeshi accent for a Tollywood film titled, "Debi Chowdhurani" directed by Subhrajit Mitra. The film also features Prosenjit Chatterjee and Srabanti Chatterjee in the lead roles.  

Historical and regional films often face the challenge of accurately portraying the language and dialogue of the era they depict. Addressing this concern, director Subhrajit Mitra is taking a unique approach to bring the eponymous novel "Debi Chowdhurani" (Bandit Queen of Bengal) by renowned Bengali novelist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, to life on the big screen. 

The film, set against the socio-political backdrop of 18th Century Bengal, will be a pan-Indian venture presented in seven languages, including Bengali. 

The main storyline revolves around the anti-British movement, which originated in Rangpur, Bangladesh, and later spread throughout Bengal. In this context, several characters will speak in the regional tones of Bangladesh, making Mithila's role vital in crafting the dialogues and guiding the artists' pronunciation.

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Mithila herself confirmed the news to the media, expressing her enthusiasm for the challenging role. Director Subhrajit Mitra, in Kolkata, emphasised the significance of capturing the true essence of the era through language and body language, as it was different from contemporary times. To strike the right balance, Mitra is conducting workshops on the Bangladeshi accent, while renowned theatre personality Sohag Sen is providing additional training.

The film boasts an impressive cast, with Srabanti Chatterjee and Prosenjit Chatterjee portraying the main characters of Devi Chowdhurani and Bhabani Pathak, respectively. However, the shooting is planned to start after the rainy season. 

The film is expected to release in theatres in the fall of 2024.