Raktabeej: Here is how Victor Banerjee came on board

There are many firsts for the director duo, Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee. With Raktabeej, it is their first Puja release. Also, for the first time they ditched their traditional theme of family drama and attempted an action-packed thriller. For the first time, the Indian President will be played by an actor in a Bengali film. Also, this is the first time a Bengali film was shot in Raisina Hills. Raktabeej is undoubtedly a much-anticipated film this season.  

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The film takes inspiration from the Khagragarh Blast incident in 2014. Pranab Mukherjee was the President of India at that time. Victor Banerjee plays Animesh, the President of India – a character that reminds us of Pranab Mukherjee. Anashua Majumdar plays the character of his elder sister who sits in a wheelchair. The film also features Abir Chatterjee, Mimi Chakraborty, and others.

In the past years, Victor Banerjee reduced his work. How did the director duo convince him to do the role? In a recent interview with a media house, Nandita said, “Shibu (Shiboprosad) did that. I told him to try once. There was no loss, at max, he would say no. Shibu sent a message on the day before Holi.” Shiboprosad said, “After sending the message, I checked the phone several times. There was no answer. The answer came at 11 am the next day. I called him and introduced ourselves. I told him, 

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“I don’t know whether you know us or have seen any of our movies.” Victor Banerjee answered, “If I did not know you, you would not get the answer to your message.” Then I told him about the film. He said, “You are famous, and similarly, you must have heard about my notoriety. I am not an easy person.” Finally, we met him and gave the screenplay. He signed the agreement the next day. He is an utterly professional man.” 

Shiboprosad and Nandita decided after the lockdown that they would make the film on Khagragarh Blast, a film that they long wanted to make. They wanted to make a film on a grand scale. They usually make family dramas. But this time, they thought of going all out. Most of the shooting was done outdoors. There are lots of actions. Shiboprosad said, “It is a Bengali story. There is the Bengali president, there is the story of Durga Puja, the president's coming home, and the relationship with his sister. We have our signature in the film.”