Sharmila Tagore is returning to Bengali cinema after a gap of 14 years, under Suman Ghosh’s direction. The veteran actress, who recently starred in the Disney+ Hotstar film Gulmohar, will be seen in Suman’s forthcoming production Puraton, co-starring Rituparna Sengupta and Indraneil Sengupta.

The plot of Puraton revolves around the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship, with Sharmila playing the mother and Rituparna her daughter. Indraneil plays the son-in-law.

“I had this story for quite some time. It is inspired by what Sharmila Tagore currently looks like. Honestly, I haven’t seen such a gracious lady like her. Her face inspired the story. There’s a tinge of melancholy on her face, reflecting her charming, gracious self who seems to have seen it all and is now at peace,” says Suman. “She was not working in films for quite some time and I had given up hope of doing this film ever.”

When he came to know through Rituparna that Sharmila was open to doing Bengali films provided the script was exciting, Suman approached the Apur Sansar actress when they met at an event in California.

“I asked Sharmila Tagore if she would be interested in doing a Bengali film and she said yes, as Bengali films have given her so much. I told her the gist of the story but she insisted on seeing the script. I asked her for three-four months’ time and went back with the script. She was in Kolkata when I narrated it to her. Right after the script reading, she said, ‘I loved it and it is almost like a poem’. Now I’ll have to do justice to bringing Sharmila Tagore and Rituparna together for the first time ever!” says Suman.

For Rituparna, the opportunity to work with Sharmila is a dream come true. “We were in conversation for a pretty long time and have discussed things. She is very fond of me and I am in awe of her,” said Rituparna.

Puraton will be produced by Rituparna’s production house Bhavna Aaj O Kal. “Both Suman and I were nervous and excited to know her reaction and to our utmost joy, she liked the script. Suman’s writing skills are refined and nuanced. It’s like a beautiful experience to walk through and I am eagerly waiting for the shoot to start. I am also so happy to have curated this unbelievable association,” said Rituparna.

Puraton is expected to go on the floors in December. Meanwhile, Suman is busy with the shoot of Kabuliwala, starring Mithun Chakraborty, Abir Chatterjee and Sohini Sarkar.