Exclusive! Kamaleswar Mukhopadhyay on Ektu Sore Bosun: Bengal Job scams make this film more relevant

Kamaleswar Mukhopadhyay is all set with his new directorial work, Ektu Sore Boshun. Billed as a social satire, the film features Ritwick Chakraborty, Paoli Dam, Ishaa Saha, and others. Based on a story, Pashapashi, by eminent writer Bonoful, Ektu Sore Boshun will be released on November 24. Before the release, director Kamaleswar Mukhopadhyay opened up about the reason for selecting this story, his choice of actors, and his unapologetic political stand. Read on…

Why did you choose this story?

I read this story many years ago. It is a humorous story that delves into unemployment etc. In today’s Bengal, when I see the employment crisis and malpractices and corruption around government jobs, I think this story is relevant in today’s time. We contemporised the story and hence added more elements to it. It is a social-political satire. The humour that we used is very Chaplin-esque.

Also read: Ektu Sore Boshun: Ritwick Chakraborty, Paoli and Ishaa Saha gear up for the release after Puja 

The film features a bunch of eminent actors…

When we decided to do the film, I realised that for this kind of comedy, we would need very powerful actors who are masters in physical acting as well as delivery. The actors are selected carefully. From Ritwick to Ishaa to Paoli and Loknath Dey, and others, everyone is brilliant in what they do. This is a film with an ensemble cast and yet each character is important.

Also read: Ektu Shore Bosun: Its a wrap for Ritwick, Paoli and Ishaa’s comedy 

If you are talking about unemployment, corruption around employment, etc in your film, you are directly challenging the state power. What if your film exhibition is disrupted? Did you consider that?

We all know that if you question power through your film, music, or writings, there will be challenges. However, given the situation in our state – the sad picture of unemployed deserving candidates taking to the streets, and the corruption allegations – it is uncomfortable to keep silent. If I would like to speak up, I would have to do it every day. Instead, I chose to make a film. I could have done a mainstream commercial film. I have done such films before. But this time, I chose a political satire. I can’t think of the hindrances now.

You have maintained a strong political stand in your career. Did you ever fear that your colleagues from the Bengali entertainment industry might not stand by you?

I maintain a warm and cordial relationship with all my colleagues – those with similar political views and otherwise. If someone wants to stay away from me that would be their problem and not mine. We all have a political stand. I have and all my colleagues have it too. Hiding it due to some social obligation makes no sense.