বাংলায় পড়ুন
On the occasion of the 56th Birth Anniversary of noted filmmaker late Rituparno Ghosh on August 31, Bollywood’s legendary actor Shri Amitabh Bachchan will unveil the poster of Ram Kamal Mukherjee’s second film “A Tribute to Rituparno Ghosh: Season’s Greetings” on his social media platform. Despite his busy schedule, Mr Bachchan agreed to not only unveil the look of the film, but also recorded a special video message for director Ram Kamal and his team. The film happens to be India’s first feature film to collaborate with United Nations Free and Equal for LGBTQIA cause.
In a special video message, Amitabh Bachchan lauded Rituparno Ghosh as one of Bengal’s most prolific filmmakers. “I have had the great pleasure and honour working with him in The Last Lear. It is a film in the English language, which was slightly different from what Rituparno had been making. Abhishek worked with him in Antar Mahal, Jaya in Sunglass, and Aishwariya worked with him in two film, Chokher Bali and Raincoat. His thought process was so clear and so vivid in the way he not only made his films and chose the subjects that he wished to make. And then finally editing the film and bringing it to the audience with the kind of music was certainly a great joy to watch and be a part of. We lost him too early. Now Ram Kamal Mukherjee who has worked as a journalist for more than twenty years and has won accolades for his body of works is paying tribute to Ritu in his second Hindi film Season’s Greetings.”
Amitabh further says, “The film has become India’s first film to have official collaboration with United Nations under the Free & Equal for LGBTQIA cause. And of course, now in India the film deals with the abolishment of article 377 and that is a great step forward that has been taken. I would like to wish the leading cast of the film Lillette Dubey, Celina Jaitly, Azhar Khan and Shree Ghatak all the very best. I also wish the producers Aritra Das and Shailendra Kumar all the very best for supporting an independent film maker like Ram Kamal who is trying to create different content through his cinema.”
A beaming Ram Kamal Mukherjee acknowledged that this was a very big moment for the entire team. When someone as respectable and talented icon from the Indian film industry agrees to unveil the first look of your film, it is indeed a matter of pride. “I approached Amit ji because he has worked with Ritu da in The Last Lear, which was loosely based on popular play Aajker Shahjahan. When someone as senior and talented as Amit ji talks about an Indie filmmaker it holds a lot of importance,” he added. Ram Kamal also feels that the power of social media cannot be denied in today’s time. “Amit ji has genuine fan following since last five decades. His love for good cinema and literature is a known story for all. We are living in the time of digital revolution, and what else could be better than releasing the first look of a film on a digital platform,” avers Ram Kamal.
The film stars Celina Jaitly Haag, Lillette Dubey, first transgender actor Shree Ghatak, and debutant Azhar Khan. Set in Kolkata, the story revolves around a mother and daughter relationship with a twist in the tale. Produced by Aritra Das and Shailendra Kumar under the banner of Assorted Motion Pictures and SS1 Entertainment, the film also marks debut of Kumar Sanu’s son Jaan Kumar Sanu as playback singer, visually impaired vocalist Sayani Palit, and debutant Sarbani Mukherjee. The songs are written by Rabindranath Tagore and music composed by Shailendra & Sayanti.
Lead actor Celina Jaitly who plays the role of Romita in the film says, “A true friend continues to heal your broken heart long after you lose your life to it also. Amit ji‘s coming on board to launch the poster of our humble venture Seasons Greetings is a true example of the fact that loyalty, faith and friendship surpasses the weakness of the human body and signifies the strength of the human soul. Additionally, a legend like Amit ji’s belief in a heartfelt humble project like ours is of great encouragement to all who pursue cinema with passion.”
Producer Aritra Das who started his journey in Bollywood with Cakewalk, is elated. “My first film was launched by Dream girl Hema Malini ji and now the undisputed Shahensha of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan ji, is launching our second venture Season’s Greetings. I don’t think I can ask for anything more from God,” says Aritra Das from Assorted Motion Pictures.
Producer and music director Shailendra Kumar feels that this unique step will help the film in reaching out to larger number of people. “Being a Kishore Kumar fan, I grew up watching Amit ji films. I know almost all his blockbuster songs by heart. When Ram Kamal da mentioned that Amit ji would unveil the poster of our film, I just couldn’t believe. In fact, for a while I thought he was pulling a prank on me,” says Shailendra Kumar from SS1 Entertainment.
