For the first time in the history of Bengali cinema, a film on the popular concept of Dracula and self -discovery - Dracula Sir
SVF and director Debaloy Bhattacharya released the teaser of their upcoming film Dracula Sir - a much-awaited experimental genre-based drama - dealing with the popular Westernised concept of Vampires and Dracula. This is the first time a film based on the concept of Vampires has been conceptualised with a flavour of Bengali and for the Bengali audience.
The teaser starts off with Anirban Bhattacharya voicing the famous lines written by renowned revolutionary writer Nabarun Bhattacharya that says:
"Ei Mrityu Upattaka Amar Desh Noye" (This valley of death is not mine)
Ei Bistirno Shoshan Amar Desh Noye (This wide graveyard is not mine)
Thereby, hinting at a revolutionary touch to this film. This is followed by a man, a schoolteacher by his appearance (essayed by Anirban Bhattacharya) who enters a classroom in the present day, to be greeted with a blackboard that is inscribed with the words Dracula Sir, thereby introducing us to the protagonist of the film Raktim ( Anirban Bhattacharya), a simpleton with a protruding pair of canine teeth, bullied for his vampire appearance.
But he has a story to tell from 1971 that makes his journey a tale of finding love and seeking revenge. The teaser then shows us a glimpse of the past with Manjari (played by Mimi Chakraborty) telling Amal (Anirban Bhattacharya) that their fight is for freedom and finally the teaser ends with Amal screaming in pain after his canines get brutally pulled out while he is being tortured inside a prison.
Excited about his new experimental venture and bringing the tale of vampires for the first time to the audience, director Debaloy Bhattacharya goes on to say:
"The story is about a primary school teacher who has a protruding pair of canine teeth earns his nickname Dracula Sir. As destiny pushes him towards becoming the vampire he has always been referred to. This is my search for the Bangali Dracula without the castle, who is out to create his own myth. A man turns into a vampire and with that, a whole lost world unleashes around him."
Co-founder and Director of SVF, Mahendra Soni went on to say: "This is the first time the Bengali audience will get to experience, cherish and talk about their own vampire in the form of a simple man, through this unique film. Anirban surpasses himself as an actor and Mimi will be in a never-seen-before avatar.
Actor turned Member of Parliament, Mimi Chakraborty who makes a comeback into film after a political hiatus goes on to say: "It's always a pleasure working with SVF and I'm happy that I'm working with them on such a unique project. My character Manjari is very different from all the characters I've played over the years. This is also my first film with Debaloy and second film with Anirban so I'm looking forward to the release of this film!"
Directed by Debaloy Bhattacharya, the film also stars Rudranil Ghosh, Bidipta Chakraborty, Kanchan Mullick and Samuel Alam in pivotal roles.
release on 1st May 2020.
