Nostalgia ruled on Wednesday evening as a special announcement was made at 6 Ballygunge Place on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sunil Gangopadhyay. Director Arun Roy, who had previously made critically acclaimed films like Hiralal and 8/12 , will be adapting Aranyer Dinratri from the original novel written by Sunil Gangopadhyay and setting it in a modern context.

(Left to right) Anuska Chakraborty, Arun Roy, Kinjal Nanda and Arno Mukhopadhyay

The story focuses on the lives of four friends who abandon their modern-day facilities and decide to go back to their roots... they set out on a journey into the wilderness to find themselves. Will they find peace? Does that word even exist? The story unfolds gradually. The lead cast includes Jeetu Kamal, Sohini Sarkar, Kinjal Nanda, Arno Mukhopadhyay and Anuska Chakraborty among others. The music is by Soumya Rit whereas Gopi Bhagat is the DoP and Sujoy Dutta Roy is the editor. “Arunda is working on the script, designing the shots. We all know that Satyajit Ray had made Aranyer Dinratri. But this film, based on the story, is set in present times. This is really exciting for me,” said Jeetu Kamal. The shoot will start from mid-February 2023 and have extensive outdoors in Jharkhand. Aranyer Dinratri is eyeing a Puja release next year.

Anuska Chakraborty

“Aranyer Dinratri is a cult novel, and we are delighted that the story will have a different outlook as it is set in today’s time. Arun Roy’s films are always well-researched and the stories are equally popular among the audience. Jeetu Kamal, Sohini, Arno, Kinjal, Anuska — they all are stellar performers and we are really excited to work with such talented actors for this production,” said Prateek Chakraborty of Pramod Films.

Pictures: Rashbehari Das

Arun Roy