‘Putul Nacher Itikotha’ to stream on Hoichoi from Nov 14

After a run on the international festival circuit and a Bengali theatrical release on August 1, Indian filmmaker Suman Mukhopadhyay's film adaptation of Manik Bandyopadhyay's novel "Putul Nacher Itikotha" will be available to stream on Hoichoi from November 14.

Mukhopadhyay transposed the novel's original setting forward to the late 1930s and early 1940s to make the narrative more immediate for contemporary viewers. The film stars Jaya Ahsan as Kusum, with Abir Chatterjee and Parambrata Chatterjee in the roles of Shashi and Kumu, respectively. The cast also includes Ananya Chatterjee, Surangana Bandyopadhyay and Shantilal Mukhopadhyay.

Critics noted the on-screen chemistry between Abir and Jaya, a pairing that drew praise during the film's theatrical run. With the Hoichoi release, Bangladeshi audiences will now be able to watch the performances at home.

Jaya Ahsan said at the film's cinema release that she would be pleased if Bangladeshi viewers had the chance to see the adaptation. "Although an Indian director made the film, Manik Bandyopadhyay belongs to both sides of Bengal," she observed. "The country's climate and sensibility are woven into his writing. I would be very happy if Bangladeshi audiences who enjoy literature-based cinema get to watch 'Putul Nacher Itikotha.'"

Separately, Jaya Ahsan's recent film "Fereshte", a Bangladesh–Iran co-production directed by Iran's Murtaza Atash Zamzam, debuted on the national OTT platform Bongo on November 2. "Fereshte", which premiered in cinemas on September 19, tells the story of a rickshaw-puller husband and his wife, a garment factory worker, portraying their struggles, deprivation and small acts of resilience. The film features Suman Faruk and Jaya Ahsan in the lead roles, supported by Shahiduzzaman Selim, Shahed Ali, Rikta Nandini Shimu, Shaheen Mridha and child actor Sathi.

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