Latest news with #RaghuDakat
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
From ‘Aranyer Din Ratri' to ‘Raghu Dakat', Tollywood faces heat challenge
Kolkata: During the presentation of 'Aranyer Din Ratri' at Cannes, Sharmila Tagore remembered how difficult it was to shoot for the film in May, 1969. It was so hot that the unit could shoot only between 5:30 am till 9 am and then between 3 am to 6 am. Tagore stayed in a chowkidar's (guard) room, while Samit Bhanja, Subhendu Chatterjee, and Rabi Ghosh stayed in a room with a tin roof. Cut to 2025, and the temperature this summer has not been kind either. Though no unit member will now stay in a room with a tin roof during shooting, Tollywood is still facing the heat. Shooting in summer has always been tough, and production houses keep an adequate supply of water, ORS and coconut water. "In this unbearable heat, I did fight scenes. That was excruciating. I sustained injuries too. We literally turned warriors while shooting this summer," said actor, Om Sahani, who was shooting for 'Raghu Dakat' under extreme conditions. One of the biggest casualties for production designers this summer was when unannounced thunderstorms washed away huge sets. "Shooting in Bolpur and Purulia is about facing the dry heat. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 5 Dividend Stocks for May 2025 Seeking Alpha Read Now Undo But shooting outdoors in Kolkata means battling heat and humidity. Earlier on, we knew that the thunderstorms would be part of the calendar between the end of April and May with few aberrations. Now, cyclones have become part of our lives. That has a severe impact while shooting outdoors, especially on sets," said 'Raghu Dakat' director Dhrubo Banerjee. Director Raja Chanda has been shooting in a jungle in Ilambazar for some time now, where the temperature was bordering on 40°C. "We are shooting for 14 hours at a stretch with mashals (fire torches) without setting a single leaf on fire. It is difficult for artistes to not let their energy levels sag.," Chanda said. The cameras are heavy, and transporting them is a massive task for the unit. Though high-end cameras now have great sensors, the current weather conditions are still challenging. "These cameras have in-built fans. Yet, I prefer to keep them under shade once a shot is taken and the next one is being prepared. We turn on a pedestal fan," said cinematographer Soumik Halder, adding that cameras can't be kept in air-conditioned facilities due to lens fog issues. Unlike the times of 'Aranyer Din Ratri', when the cast and crew would have to stay in rooms with tin shades, the production houses are now more vigilant about choosing an outdoor location. "During recce, no location is chosen that is more than 45 minutes away from where the unit stays," Halder added.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Relief in Tolly as Nusraat Faria gets bail
1 2 3 Kolkata: The film fraternity on both sides of the border are relieved after a Dhaka court granted bail to Bangladeshi actor Nusraat Faria. The actor, who played the role of Sheikh Hasina in the Bangabandhu biopic, 'Mujib: The making of a Nation', was arrested in an attempted murder case . Tollywood director Birsa Dasgupta had directed Faria in 2019 for 'Bibaho Obhijaan'. "She was about 20 or 21 and came across as a bright girl who wanted to do well for herself. She was a team player and was full of enthusiasm. She told me that everyone cast her in only song-and-dance roles, while in my film, she was given a serious role," said Dasgupta. Faria was cast in the role of a social activist opposite actor Ankush Hazra. "Immediately after finishing my film, she went to study law. She was very serious about her studies and got good grades too. So, she is not just an actor but a lawyer as well. I am glad she got bail," Dasgupta added. Actor Om Sahani, amid his busy shooting schedule for Dhrubo Banerjee's 'Raghu Dakat', has come to know about her arrest and subsequent bail. He said, "She was my heroine in 'Hero 420'. During the shooting, she has been very professional. The news of bail is a big relief." Faria was the heroine of director Ashok Pati's first film titled 'Aashiqui: True Love'. "She also acted in 'Inspector Notty K' opposite Jeet. She came across as a nice lady. I was in touch with her till a couple of years ago. Yet, it was shocking when I first got the news of her arrest on Sunday. Today, I am relieved that she has got bail. I have faith in law and I am sure justice will be served," Pati said. Bangladeshi actor Azmeri Haque Badhon, who is also known in India for having acted in Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Khufiya' and Srijit Mukherji's 'Robindronath Ekhane Kawkhono Khete Aashenni', is happy with the news. "I am happy that she has got bail but the amount of physical, mental and social harassment that she went through has been tremendous. Will the State take responsibility for her harassment? People are talking about the injustice to Nusraat Faria since she is a known face and we are all standing up for her. But, there are many others against whom false charges have been made. The attention is being diverted from the main issue, with other personal agendas being brought up and new cases being levelled against many," Badhon told TOI.
