Rukmini Maitra on Binodiini – Ekti Natir Upakhyan: It’s a dream-come-true project for me

Rukmini Maitra has debuted in Bollywood opposite Vidyut Jamwal with Sanak. The film was released on Disney+Hotstar on October 15, 2021. Later, her Kishmish with Dev was also impressed at the box office in Tollywood. Now the actress is all set to play Binodini Dasi – aka Noti Binodini – in Ram Kamal Mukherjee’s next, Binodiini – Ekti Natir Upakhyan. The makers unveiled the teaser poster of the film with Rukmini as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a character that Binodini Daasi played on stage. 

The motion poster designed by Ekta Bhattacharjee and music composed by Neel was released. Produced under Mumbai-based production houses Pramod Films, SS1 Entertainment and P K Entertainment, in association with Assorted Motion Pictures, the story, screenplay and dialogue have been penned by Priyanka Poddar. “I always wanted to tell the fascinating story of Binodini Dasi to Bengali audiences. I had to struggle for almost two years to get the kind of budget I was expecting to mount a musical film like this. The only person who stood beside my faith like a Rock of Gibraltar was Rukmini Maitra. Since she saw my work in Season's Greetings and Ek Duaa, she believed that I could probably handle the pain and journey of this megastar from Bengali theatre. I am elated that Rukmini will be my Binodini,” said filmmaker Ram Kamal. 

Rukmini has been working silently on the character for the past two years. From practising Indian classical dance to reading various books depicting the social status of women in that era. “It’s a dream-come-true project for me. Since the time Ram Kamal mentioned that he wants to make Binodiini, I knew he would have a different take on the subject. Without questioning him even once, I trusted him blindly. This film would have happened two years ago, but the Pandemic changed the entire scenario. Our entertainment industry suffered the most. With such reputed banners, producers and most importantly Dev coming on board as presenter makes this movie a magnum opus indeed,” said Rukmini Maitra.

This biopic will be shot by cinematographer Modhura Palit in Bengal and Benaras and will release next year Poila Baishak (Bengali New Year). Since it’s a period drama the makers will need enough time to recreate the era. Dev, in his official statement, said, “Ram Kamal is a very senior personality and a talented filmmaker from Mumbai. I was not even aware that he was planning this film with Rukmini until they shared the teaser poster. This was probably the most well-kept secret from me. But when I saw the passion and love for their project, I, as a creative person, wanted to extend my gratitude towards a prestigious subject like Binodini Dasi. We don’t make such films these days, and it takes a lot of courage to touch upon subjects as sensitive as Nati Binodini. I am sure that Rukmini and Ram Kamal will create magic on screen.”