In a groundbreaking achievement for Bengali cinema, the film “Devi Chowdhurani,” starring renowned actors Prosenjit Chatterjee and Srabanti Chatterjee, has been awarded official Indo-UK co-production status by both governments. This landmark recognition highlights the deepening cultural and creative ties between India and the United Kingdom, setting a new standard in international film production.

Produced by Aparna and Aniruddha Dasgupta of Adited Motion Pictures (USA/India) in collaboration with Soumyajit Majumdar of LOK Arts Collective (India/UK), “Devi Chowdhurani” is directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Subhrajit Mitra. The film is an adaptation of Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay’s classic novel, telling the story of India’s first female freedom fighter, and features a mesmerizing musical score by the globally renowned composer Pandit Bickram Ghosh. The UK co-producers are HC Films and Moringa Studios, contributing to one of the most ambitious projects in Bengali cinema.

A New Era in Indo-UK Cinematic Collaboration

The recognition of “Devi Chowdhurani” as an official co-production is a testament to the robust cultural diplomacy between India and the UK, facilitated by the Indo-UK film co-production treaty signed in 2007. This monumental decision paves the way for future collaborations, underscoring the importance of cultural exchange in strengthening international relations.

Prestigious Reception at Guildhall

On October 16, 2023, the concepts of “Devi Chowdhurani” and the forthcoming musical pan-India Hindi feature film “Joyguru” were presented by Soumyajit Majumdar at a historic reception at the Guildhall. Hosted by Mr. Munsur Ali, London City Corporation Chairman of Culture, Heritage, and Libraries, the event was attended by distinguished delegates from the Cultural Ministries of both India and the UK, including Ms. Lily Pandey, Joint Secretary Culture and co-chair of the G20 culture working group, and Ms. Hayley Raines, Team Lead for Cultural Diplomacy at DCMS, United Kingdom.

The reception highlighted the significance of such collaborations in fostering and strengthening cultural bonds between the two nations. The esteemed delegates enthusiastically supported these projects, recognizing their potential to enhance cultural diplomacy and mutual understanding.

Key Players in the Landmark Decision

Indian authorities instrumental in this landmark decision include the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, NFDC (National Film Development Corporation), FFO (Film Facilitation Office), and Invest India, with the British Film Institute (BFI) and DCMS (Department of Culture, Media and Sports) representing the UK.

Anticipated Cinematic Masterpiece

Currently in the early post-production phase, “Devi Chowdhurani” is eagerly anticipated by audiences worldwide. The stellar cast includes Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Arjun Chakraborty, Darshana Banik, Bibriti Chatterjee, and Kinjal Nanda, promising a cinematic tour de force. As the first Bengali film to achieve official Indo-UK co-production status, “Devi Chowdhurani” celebrates India’s rich heritage and struggle for independence while setting a new benchmark for future Indo-UK cinematic endeavours.

Joint Statements from Key Figures

Aparna and Aniruddha Dasgupta of Adited Motion Pictures expressed their excitement:

“This recognition for ‘Devi Chowdhurani’ as the first Bengali film to receive official Indo-UK co-production status is a dream come true for us at Adited Motion Pictures. It represents not just a significant achievement in our filmmaking journey but also a celebration of the rich cultural heritage and historical bonds between India and the UK. Collaborating with Soumyajit and LOK Arts Collective, along with the incredible support from both governments, has been an inspiring and humbling experience. This project is a testament to the power of storytelling in bridging cultures and creating something truly remarkable. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has believed in and supported this vision. We can’t wait for audiences around the world to witness the magic of ‘Devi Chowdhurani’ and the story of India’s first female freedom fighter brought to life on the big screen.”

Soumyajit Majumdar of LOK Arts Collective added:

“At LOK, our vision has always been to take local stories from India, especially from our home state West Bengal, to the global film market. International co-productions are vital in this regard. With dynamic producers Aparna and Aniruddha Dasgupta of Adited Motion Pictures, we found like-hearted partners with a shared vision. It’s so encouraging to know that ‘Devi Chowdhurani,’ our first film collaboration, has attained the feat of an official Indo-UK co-production with guidance from the FFO-India and BFI-UK. I feel honoured to have shared about our magnum opus at the iconic Indo-UK cultural ministry delegation reception at Guildhall in London.”

Prosenjit Chatterjee, who plays the lead role, proudly stated:

“I’m extremely delighted to be a pivotal part and lead male protagonist of ‘Devi Chowdhurani’ (Bandit Queen Of Bengal), directed by Subhrajit Mitra and produced by Adited Motion Pictures and LOK Arts Collective, which has been granted the status of the first Indo-UK co-production for any Bengali language film by both governments through the I&B Ministry, NFDC, FFO, and Invest India from India and BFI, DCMS from the UK jointly. This will pave a new path for regional film industries and promote Indian films rooted in rich cultural and historical heritage. I wish this initiative all the very best.”

“Devi Chowdhurani” stands as a beacon of Indo-UK cinematic collaboration, heralding a new era of global film production excellence and celebrating the rich cultural heritage shared by the two nations.