A socio-cultural drama that focuses on the conflict between science and astrology, the trailer of Shastri has revealed that the film is also expected to be a family entertainer that ticks all the right boxes for pulling in a holiday season audience. With its combination of crisp cuts, smart visual effects and robust background score, the attractively packaged two-and-half-minute-long trailer unfolds the basic premise and course of the story, at the same time highlighting the internal and external struggles of its main characters.

Shastri revolves around the fortunes and calamities in the life of Mithun Chakraborty’s character, who is initially depicted as impoverished, superstitious and a strong believer in God. Desperate about a change in fortune, he visits astrologers and buys lottery tickets every day in the hope that he will get lucky and become rich. But fate has other plans for him. A strange turn of events leads him to metamorphose into Parimal Shastri, an astrologer who begins to wield great power and authority and enjoys immense social prestige and popularity by virtue of his accurate predictions.

Mithun Chakraborty excels in the role that serves as the fulcrum of the whole story. The transition from an oppressed, anxious, middle-aged family man to a super-powerful godman-cum-astrologer is portrayed masterfully by the veteran actor who promises to carry the film on his shoulders all by himself.

Soham Chakraborty who stars as Saikat Majumdar, an astrophysicist, represents the pole opposite to irrational faith or religious beliefs. The predictable tussle between the two is also showcased in the trailer, without giving away its outcome.

A host of other characters add depth, complexity and multiple dimensions to the story. Debashree Roy stars as Shastri’s wife, and appears to be a figure symbolising conscience and morality. Koushik Sen and Rajatava Dutta represent the fraudulent and corrupt elements of society, whose lives infect, debase and destroy the lives of others. Saswata Chatterjee, Anirban Chakrabarti and Sauraseni Maitra are also a part of the enviable cast list of Shastri.

A joint production by Surinder Films and Soham’s Entertainment and Creative Solutions, Shastri is directed by Pathikrit Basu and will release in theatres on October 8.