Jio Studios and SVF Entertainment have joined forces to release Athhoi, a modern interpretation of William Shakespeare’s Othello, in theatres on June 14.
Marking the directorial debut of Arna Mukhopadhyay, Athhoi deals with the intricacies of the human mind set against deception and scheming. Its release date was announced by the makers alongside a video paying homage to the Elizabethan era and introducing the talented ensemble and creative team behind the project.
“Bringing Athhoi to life has been a labour of love. It's a story that resonates across generations, and we've endeavoured to infuse it with contemporary relevance while staying true to the essence of Shakespeare’s vision,” said Arna
Sohini Sarkar steps into the role of Diya, embodying the spirited character of Desdemona, while director Arna Mukhopadhyay takes on the challenging portrayal of Dr Athhoi Lodha, formerly known as Othello in the movie. Anirban Bhattacharya, also the creative director of the film, will be seen as Gogo, an enigmatic character akin to the cunning Iago from Shakespeare's original work.
Talking about her character, Sohini said Diya is a character of strength and vulnerability. “Playing Diya has been an exhilarating experience. I believe audiences will connect with her journey on a deeply emotional level,” she added.
“Our aim with Athhoi is to offer audiences a fresh perspective on a classic tale. It’s a thrilling journey of unravelling the complexities of the human psyche, set against a backdrop of intrigue and deception. Since we have been a part of the play and doing the theatre together, the three of us were in complete sync from Day 1,” Anirban said.
The makers also shared the official poster of Athhoi on Saturday. “Love. Betrayal. Outcome. #Athhoi coming on June 14. Presenting the Official Poster of #Athhoi based on William Shakespeare’s Othello. Film directed by #ArnaMukhopadhyay, creative director @AnirbanSpeaketh,” SVF wrote in the caption.