The title of Paramita Munsi’s new film, Hema Malini, holds a sense of mystery and attraction. But this is not a biopic nor an autobiographical film. This name signifies a forbidden, unrequited love story that flows like a river in this film. It’s not the name of a character but a concept, an emotion, an unfinished feeling that encompasses the entirety of the film. Though the title of the film is Hema Malini, the story builds around two men, one being a 50-year-old homoeopath doctor, Dharmendra, and a film director, Manik Mukherjee. The film stars Chiranjeet, Debleena Dutt, Rahul, Chaiti Ghoshal and more.
One day an elderly woman arrives at Dharmendra’s chamber. She dreams of Hema Malini and talks with her. The woman finds this doctor and believes that he will be able to treat her as his name is Dharmendra and who else can take care of Hema Malini if not Dharmendra? Here starts an unconventional story around this doctor and patient where the smaller characters like Dharmendra’s assistant, young homoeopath Indrani, new owner of an FM channel, Shekhar, the very talented RJ Sumana, a so-called intellectual named Nandini Sanyal, upmarket snob Shanta, bar dancer Papus along with many others play important roles to further the film.
Manik Mukherjee is a new-age independent filmmaker who is involved in making a film titled Hema Malini where this name is nothing but a concept, a myth. Manik’s struggles as an independent filmmaker are also portrayed in this film. His personal life is in shambles and in utter confusion, he runs to an astrologer and tarot card reader, Roshni. Manik is a bit confused with the different phases of making this film when he seeks advice from the astrologer. A story of empathy beyond professionalism builds here. Both the doctor and the director visit Roshni in the film.
Paramita Munsi says that there is a resemblance between her own life and the reel life of the character Manik. “I know all these characters in this film from my own life. So I turned myself into a character in this film. To play the character of Manik, I needed someone whose eyes reflect the dreams of change and Rahul has such eyes,” said Paramita.
Though the film is titled Hema Malini, the story of Dharmendra and Manik takes centre stage. Through different social structures, generations and perspectives, these two characters seek the same values of life.
“Eighty per cent of my shooting is done with and I’ve also prepared an edit timeline. The experience of making this film has been new as there is no formal producer for this film and my friends have mostly helped me out with the financing. We have shot the film with whatever money we could manage. The homeopath is being played by Chiranjeet Chakraborty. This is the fifth time I am working with him so he is always my first preference when I think of making films. There are a lot of friends who are working in this film. Some of them have given special appearances in the film for which I am ever so grateful to them. My friends have been so helpful with the financing process, without which the film would have been impossible. For now, we plan to finish the film and send it to film festivals globally and then plan a release,” said Munsi.
