Movie 'inspired' by Mamata Banerjee set to release soon
At a time when a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi kept Election Commission and Supreme Court busy, a movie inspired by the life of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is all set to hit screens on May 3. Titled Baghini: Bengal Tigress, the movie chronicles Mamata's rise from a street fighter to becoming first woman CM of Bengal. Here's all about it.
No propaganda here, claims movie's writer
Directed by Nehal Dutta, the movie stars Ruma Chakraborty in Mamata's role. Though it has been under production since 2015, it got a certificate just recently. The makers stressed the movie isn't a biopic but a retelling of her life. "There is nothing as such which can affect political sentiments. There is no propaganda here," said Pinky Pal, the movie's producer, and screenwriter.
Movie would focus on Singur and Nandigram episodes too
Reportedly, the movie also talks about Nandigram and Singur protests of Mamata. To recall, the Trinamool chief led a protest against Tata Motors which wanted to set up a car plant in Singur. The movie will also show how Mamata brought down Left's rule in West Bengal after over 30 years. Pal said the movie would inspire women all over the country.
Actress said it wasn't easy essaying Mamata's role
About her role, Chakraborty said it wasn't easy to portray a 'living legend'. "I saw several videos of her, tried to practise her mannerisms, the way she conducts herself," she said. She revealed that everything from Mamata's rubber chappals to white saree has been captured in the movie. The reel Mamata hoped her work would catch the eye of the veteran leader herself.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) moved EC against the movie
The timing of the movie and its content is bound to ruffle some feathers. CPI(M) has already submitted a memorandum to EC seeking a stay on the movie's release. "There is one more biopic on Mamata Banerjee, so we feel in all fairness that one should also not see the light of the day before elections are over," said a leader.
Earlier, Mamata had targeted PM Modi biopic
Funnily enough, just a few weeks ago, when the controversy surrounding Vivek Oberoi-starrer PM Narendra Modi reached its peak, Mamata had also passed her opinion on it. Trading guns at PM Modi, she had said, "Why will people watch your film? If people want to watch films, they will watch films on Gandhiji, Ambedkar ji, why Modi? What contribution he has made to India?"
Notably, SC asked EC to watch Modi biopic
Last week, EC said PM Narendra Modi can't release till polls are over as the movie might affect level fielding of polls. The movie was set to release on April 11. Subsequently, makers approached Supreme Court, which said on Monday that EC should watch the movie before deciding on the ban. SC asked EC to submit its findings in a sealed envelope by Friday.
