The incredible success of the heist thriller Bohurupi at the box office has not only revived the Bengali film industry but also proved that a strong storyline and compelling performances resonate beyond regional barriers. Released in October 2024, the film went on to become the third highest-grossing Bengali film ever. Produced by Windows Productions Bohurupi, redefines the reach of Bengali cinema. Directed by the duo Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee the film shattered records at multiplex theatres across India.
In a candid conversation director and producer Nandita Roy said that the film did beyond their expectations.
Director Nandita Roy said, “The film is a story about a cop and bank dacoit. It is inspired from true events. We merged the story of cop and dacoit and made a fiction. In 2008 we were doing Muktodhara based on prison reformation. The hero was a real life convict. The movie became a huge success and then a person came to us, he had served a term in jail. He told his story on how he had robbed 27 banks. We found it interesting. It took 12 to 14 years and when we realized we had money we produced it. The movie was completed in 8 months and it was shot in Kolkata, Birbhum and Murshidabad.”
One of the songs ‘Shimul Polash’ in the film was very well received by the audience and it was also tweeted by A R Rahman.
“We felt honoured when it was tweeted by A R Rahman. Bohurupi’s music director Bonnie Chakraborty has worked along with A R Rahman so he knew him personally. The tweet was good wishes to Bonnie Chakraborty and gave him encouragement,” she said.
Speaking about her journey she said that her husband Nitish Roy is a renowned Production designer of the film industry.
Nandita Roy said, “His first film is Kharij with Mrinal Sen for which he won a National award. For his second film with Shyam Benegal ‘Mandi’ he won another National award. Bollywood opened its doors and we landed in Bombay. Nitish did Parinda, Fanaa. Nitish was approached to make Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. We became close to Ramoji Rao. He suggested that I open a Bengali Satellite channel in Kolkata. We started ETV Bangla in 1998. Shiboprosad and I used to run ETV Bangla. I met Shiboprosad in 1997 during the shoot of Jamai No. 1. The film was produced by Ramoji Rao. We left ETV Bangla and we started Windows Production in 2002. In 2005 we shot our first film Icche which was released in 2008 and we never looked back. We have completed 24 films. Generally Shiboprosad writes the dialogues and I do the screenplay.”
Speaking about her next project, Director Nandita Roy further said that her next film is Amar Boss.
“Amar Boss will be released in summer. The film is about a mother-son relationship. The film stars renowned veteran actress Rakhee Gulzar,” she added.
The duo has also directed a bollywood film Shastry Viruddh Shastry featuring actor Paresh Rawal which is a remake of their own Bengali film Posto.
