Kickstarting Bengali cinema’s first-of-its-kind ‘cop universe’, Srijit Mukherji has hit the floors for the shoot of Dawshom Awbotaar, with Prosenjit Chatterjee and Anirban Bhattacharya in the lead.

Dawshom Awbotaar will be a double prequel to his two previous films, Baishe Srabon and Vinci Da. The new story will bring together the two central characters from the two films — Prabir Roychowdhury (played by Prosenjit in Baishe Srabon) and Bijoy Poddar (played by Anirban in Vinci Da).

“The concept of a prequel or a sequel is more like a reunion to me. When I write a script and create characters, I have to live with them. I fall in love with them, I talk to them, I cohabit them. We become friends and lovers. You tend to start missing them. You kind of want to meet them again. When I was missing Abhijit Pakrashi (played by Parambrata Chattopadhyay in Baishe Srabon) in 2019, I wrote Dwitiyo Purush,” Srijit told us.

What makes the new story special? “Baishe Srabon and Vinci Da are a fantastic combination with Prosenjit Chatterjee and Anirban Bhattacharya coming together. We have seen this combination in instalments in Gumnami. But in Dawshom Awbotaar, they are a proper pair. They are hunting as a pair. It’s a very interesting franchise. The Prabir Roy Chowdhury franchise starts with Dawshom Awbotaar,” he added.

Dawshom Awbotaar also stars Jisshu Sengupta and Jaya Ahsan. Subhashree Ganguly, who was supposed to play the female lead in the cop universe, has been replaced owing to her pregnancy. “After writing the script, I thought of Subhashree but then she got pregnant. It is a very strenuous shoot. There are a lot of action sequences that require physical strength. The safety of the baby comes first. So it was a mutual decision,” said Srijit.

“Then I thought of Jaya (Ahsan). We hadn’t worked in a long time. Jaya and I share a great comfort zone as an actor and director. She has the ability to deliver the most difficult and nuanced scenes, sequences and characters. Jaya is the most prolific actor in the industry. I am very secure with her,” added the Shabaash Mithu maker.

Anupam Roy will compose the music for Dawshom Awbotaar, while Indraadip Dasgupta will do the background score.

“The shoot is very hectic and stressful. Because of the rain, it is a little challenging. We have a tight schedule. But we are having a blast because it’s a prequel to two of my very special films. My visualisation is not only coming true but it’s magnifying,” Srijit said.

Produced by Jio Cinema and Shree Venkatesh Films, Dawshom Awbotaar will have a Durga Puja release — on Sashthi, October 20.