The Kerala Story fame Sudipta Sen to produce Sheiladitya Moulik’s Hindi directorial venture

Sheiladitya Moulik started his journey in the Bengali film industry as a director with the film Sweater. It features Ishaa Saha, Anuradha Mukherjee, Sreelekha Mitra, and others. Before that, Sheiladitya directed films in Bollywood. He is again directing a Hindi film after a long gap.

Recently, the film Lukochuri, directed by Sheiladitya, was released. Why Hindi films? He told Anandabazar online, “I came to directing with a Hindi film, The Scooter. Not many people know this. I have long wished to make a Hindi film. The planning got delayed due to the lockdown.”

The film is produced by Sudipta Sen, director of the film The Kerala Story. The film created controversy last year. “Sudiptada is a Bengali from Delhi. We have known each other for a long time. He saw all my work. Then, we reconnected after a long time,” said the director. Sheiladitya said that this film would be the debut of Sudipta's production house.

How does he see the scope of work with someone like Sudipta? Sheiladitya said, “I am fortunate because he selected me out of so many. I will try to respect his trust.”

Sheiladitya did not want to divulge much about the new film. The working title is Charak, he said. He said that he was attracted by the theme, which is a folklore thriller. “Many incidents are heard after evening in rural areas. There are many superstitions. This is a thrilling story in this backdrop.” he said.

Actors from Tollywood and Bollywood are in talks to work in the film. However, the casting is not yet final. The director said, “All I can say is, I am thinking about good and underrated actors.”

Sheiladitya said someone else's thought was behind the film. “I was told to make the film in a foreign style. I am making it considering the international arena and audience,” he said.

The story and screenplay do not belong to Sheiladitya, but he is now polishing the script. He is doing recce in different parts of the state, including Purulia and Burdwan. Some of the shootings may take place in Jharkhand.

The shooting will start in July.