Raj Chakraborty’s film Babli, starring Subhashree Ganguly, Abir Chatterjee and Sauraseni Maitra, is a cinematic adaptation of author Buddhadeb Guha’s popular novel. Guha, celebrated for his travel narratives and a touch of dreamy abstraction, serves as the creative inspiration for this film. The storyline unfolds as two unfamiliar individuals traverse the landscapes of Imphal and Dimapur, eventually finding themselves entangled in a love triangle.

Set in the early 1990s, the movie introduces two distinct female protagonists with contrasting perspectives on life, accompanied by a man characterised by his sharp wit and knowledge. “It is a beautiful love story, and I love watching them. I was so fascinated when I read the story for the first time. It is such an adventurous story... about two people who don’t know each other embarking on an unknown journey. There is a sense of innocence and adventure. The emotions are so nuanced for Babli,” said Subhashree.

Set in the hills of the Northeast, Babli — which is playing in theatres now — tells the tale of the unlikely love affair between Babli (Subhasree) and Abhi (Abir). Poles apart from each other with respect to their attitudes and personalities, the duo meet and fall in love under extraordinary circumstances. “The picturesque journey through Nagaland strengthens the bonds, unveiling their personalities and prompting Babli to fall in love,” said Subhashree.

The thought of their potential love story and their
previous encounters are intensified in Babli’s mind until she
meets Jhuma. Jhuma’s beauty triggers insecurities in Babli giving this dynamic a new layer.

“I read the story and script many times and focused on the nuances of the storyline. Babli is a very strong character. I have my own process while working on a character and I follow that. I had many discussions with Raj. Babli speaks in a slightly different way... I worked on her body language and became the character. Babli is an educated, confident woman and audiences have connected with Babli. It is a feel-good film; it will make you dream big and show you the reality as well,” said Subhashree.