Bengalis celebrate Poila Baishakh
Poila Baishakh, the first day of the Bengali New Year was observed across the state with great enthusiasm. The day is also observed as the foundation day of Bengal.
Jonaki, the second Bengali film by director Aditya Vikram Sengupta, had its world premiere at the 47th international film festival in Rotterdam.
The movie was screened four times at the Bright Future section of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), held between January 24 and February 4.
In a statement from Rotterdam, Sengupta, whose directorial debut ‘Asha Jaowar Majhe’ received the best film award at Venice Film Festival in 2014, said, “IFFR upholds auteur cinema and there could not have been a better place for us to premiere Jonaki.”
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“The audiences here are extremely receptive, inquisitive, which made the premiere even more special. The audiences here not only look for entertainment in a film, they also want to experience it,” he said.
Jim Sarbh, who plays a pivotal role in the film, said he was happy to be a part of Sengupta’s venture.
“I saw the world premiere of Aditya’s beautifully mounted film. I am glad that he is taking risks to make such films, something others might be afraid of doing,” the actor, who has recently received critical acclaim for his role in Padmaavat, said.
Jonaki is a tale of an 80-year-old woman who searches for love in her world of decaying memories, while her lover, who has also grown old, returns to a world she is leaving behind.
The character of Jonaki is essayed by 81-year-old Lolita Chatterjee. The veteran actor, who has acted in many films, including Aap ki Kasam and Victoria No. 203, makes her comeback in the movie.
‘Jonaki’ has been co-produced by Magic Hour Films, Catherine Dussart Productions and For Films – production houses from India, France, and Singapore.
Sengupta’s debut film Asha Jaoar Majhe (Labour of Love) received the Best Director award at Marrakech Film Festival and Best Film honor at the Venice Film Festival in 2014.
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