Aditya Vikram Sengupta's film to go for world premiere at Venice Film Festival

The film will be shown in the Horizons section of the festival that showcases films that portray the aesthetic and expressive trends in world cinema.

It is based on true events and Sengupta pays a tribute to Calcutta through it. 

The plot revolves around a saddened mother who is on the desperate quest for a new identity, independence and love. Along the way, she realises that the city is full of people yearning to find the same. 

Sengupta said that the selection at Venice is like a dream-come-true for him and he feels excited to come up with a film about Calcutta, especially on the occasion of 100 years of Satyajit Ray. 

He added that the film depicts his personal emotions and feelings for the city of joy and its people in the backdrop of a constantly changing world. The story also uncovers the nuances of the formerly communist city to depict the complexity of the human condition that is both tragic, hopeful, and looking on at joy.

Award-winning cinematographer Gokhan Tiryaki, who won the Palm d’Or for Nuri Bilge Ceylan, has cranked the camera for the film. Dutch composer Minco Eggersman has scored the music.

Veteran actress Sreeelekha Mitra and Bratya Basu play the lead roles in the film that features an ensemble cast comprising Satrajit Sarkar, Arindam Ghosh, Reetika Nondine Shimu and Anirban Chakrabarti. Debutant Shayak Roy will also be seen in the film. Sengupta’s father Tridib Sengupta also has a key role.

Once Upon A Time in Calcutta is presented by Wishberry Films and produced by For Films in collaboration with DUOFilm AS (Norway) and Dussart Productions (France). Cannes L'Atelier NFDC Film Bazaar, Sorfond and CNC cinema du monde have supported the film. Sengupta’s film will compete with 18 other films like Amira, White Building, A Plein Temps, Atlantide, 107 Mothers. 

Sengupta made waves right from his debut film Asha Jawar Majhe ‘Labour of Love’ that bagged the National Award. The critically-acclaimed film also won the FEDEORA award for the best debut at the Venice Days section of the 2014 International Venice Film Festival.