Bringing Satyajit Ray's Apu to silver screen after 6 decades in black and white

'Apu'or 'Aparajito', one of Bengal's most enduring and endearing characters, first portrayed by Bibhuti Bhushan Bandyopadhyay in one of his most famous novels and then by the movie maestro Satyajit Ray, seems well set to come back to reel life after six decades. Expectations are high. Challenges are possibly higher. But fired by an ever engulfing urge, Subhrajit Mitra, one of Bengal's most promising directors today, has passionately taken up the challenge of filming Avijatrik (The Wanderlust of Apu), his seventh feature film, and that too in black and white.

Avijatrik is essentially the story of a journey depicting Apu's ardour to be a globetrotter, to experience outside world and immerse himself in myriad layers of life. The story revolves around a sublime bond between a father (Apu) and his 6 year old son (Kajol) – wherein both are dependent on each other – heaping lavish affection and love for each other. The film has explored beautiful tapestry of pure interpersonal relationships to recreate magic of Apu – sharing adventures with his beloved son, Kajol.

Ray's masterpiece was a landmark in Indian film, especially in parallel film movement. Would this last sequel, by a young director be able to make its mark? - Speaking to Bizz Buzz exclusively, Subhrajit Mitra, shares his hope and journey – in black and white

Any particular reason for choosing Avijatrik as your next film? I mean, what was the trigger like?

I am voracious reader, as well as a classic movie buff since my early childhood days, my formative years. I was always intrigued by the fact that, the famous Apu trilogy and the novel Aparajito has dissimilar endings. Still almost one third portion of the original novel is left un-touched, after the trilogy ends. I wanted to complete Apu's journey on the big screen as per the author Bibhuti Bhushan's original idea. So, I took my time to grow as a director over the years, and researched and wrote the script and embarked on a journey to make Avijatrik.

I am sure you must be aware that when you make a film on a story, which is a sequel and the concluding part of Satyajit Ray's Apu trilogy, you always run the risk of being subject to comparisons and drawing parallels. Expectations of the audience are also much higher right from the word 'Go'. Did that put any extra pressure or burden on you? Have you taken a calculated risk or a gamble?

Yes, I'm quite aware of the expectations. Certainly, I did not allow that extra pressure to dictate my decisions. Risk or gamble, question does not arise. I wanted to make this film in my own way, with my own signature. It's an ever engulfing urge. I am humbled and honoured that critics and audiences, who has seen the film so far has lavishly praised Avijatrik (The wanderlust of Apu). The film has garnered 18 laurels as of now, in major international film festival across the globe. Only film to have two back to back houseful screenings in KIFF 2021, despite Covid protocol in place. But this is just the beginning of the journey for Avijatrik.

You have roped in Madhur Bhandarkar as co-producer. So, any plans to have a Hindi version at some point?

Gaurang Films, the producer has roped in Bhandarkar Entertainment to present the film, after Madhur Bhandarkar listened to my brief and vision about the project. They have also roped in NCKS Explorations as the co-producer of the movie. I am ever grateful to them, for backing me in this project. Releasing in different national or international languages is entirely their collective decision. It is more of a commercial decision rather than aesthetic one. All prints of Avijatrik are with English subtitle. So, the audience who love world films, such as French, Italian, east European, Iranian, Korean, Latin American, as well as the classics from Ray, Ghatak, Sen, they do watch it in original languages with English subtitle, without any problem.

What would be the key USPs of the film?

Every aspect of the film is USP. A) Apu is returning to the big screen after six decades, B) Concluding part of the novel Aparajito by Bibhuti Bhushan Bandopadhay and sequel to the classic Apu trilogy by Satyajit Ray, C) Brillant production design to recreate India of 1940 authentically, D) One of the best cinematographic achievement in the history of Bengali films, E) Arjun's performance as Apu, again one of the best in the history of Bengali cinema, F) Bickram da's original music score based on pure Indian classical and Bengali folk music, a reference point for the future generations of Indian cinema, G) Anoushka Shankar has recreated a variation of her father Pt Ravi Shankar's Pather Panchali theme, for the first time for any Indian film. Through my screenplay and direction, I wanted to bring back the little, simple joys of life, the lost innocence. I think as a team we have nearly achieved, what we wanted to portray.

What about your cast and other team members?

I am thankful that I have had a very powerful cast who performed extraordinarily: Arjun Chakrabarty (Apu), Sabyasachi Chakrabarty (Shankar), Ayushman Mukherjee (Kajol), Ditipriya Roy (Aparna), Arpita Chatterjee (Leela), Sreelekha Mitra (Ranu), Barun Chanda, Biswanath Basu, Sohag Sen, Rupanjana Mitra, Shubhro. S Das, Ishaan Majumdar, Antasheela Ghosh. Shaheb Chattopadhyay, Ujjaini Mukherjee and Pt Bickram Ghosh did the music scoring. Cinematography was done by Supratim Bhol. Then there were Sujay Datta Ray (Editor), Gautam Basu (Art Director), Tirthankar Majumdar (Sound Design), Krishnendu Ghosh (VFX Design). All of them were just brilliant.

How difficult was it to handle a story originally written by Bibhuti Bhushan Bandyopadhyay?

On the contrary, Bibhuti Bhushan is a director's delight. His descriptions, and way of telling a story is so cinematic, it makes life easy for a director or a screenplay writer.

Did you make any attempt to make it topical/contemporary so that audience can relate to it?

One should not tamper with a classic. They are coined classics for a good reason. They are relevant irrespective of the time and space. I have made a few changes, but that is purely conveying the written texts to the visual medium.

The character of the audience has undergone sea changes over the years. Are you targeting any particular group of movie buff or would it be for all?

Whoever appreciates a good film, Avijatrik is for them. Nationally, internationally, irrespective of class, social strata and age. I would coin it as an international movie which is happened to be in Bengali.