SS Rajamouli's much-awaited Baahubali: The Conclusion or Bahubali 2 is set to make a grand entry in the theatres on April 28. As the Rana Daggubati-starrer movie inches closer to the date of release everywhere, it has already stirred up some controversy in West Bengal.
Following the worldwide success of the mythological action thriller, the second instalment of the film will undoubtedly roar into the box office. But as Bahubali 2 is all set to invade West Bengal this week, the movie has already started receiving backlash from the Bengali directors.
National Award winning director Kaushik Ganguly claimed that Bengali movies have been pulled down in Kolkata because of Bahubali 2. The Bishorjon (or Bisarjan) director took to Twitter to express his displeasure about the issue: "They are Bahubalis & we are Bengalis. They rule & we surrender! But for how long? Bishorjon losing theatres and shows in its own state! SAD."
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According to Apur Panchali director, a little less number of shows of Bahubali would not make any impact in Bengal. But Bengali movies like Bishorjon is paying a price for this as the number of shows has been drastically reduced in the theatres. Baahubali's Hindi version only (as Tamil, Telegu versions are also releasing in Kolkata) will see more than 400 screenings in over 30 theatres (approx.), but quality Bengali movies like Bishorjon and Durga Sahay have less than 30 shows in around 15 theatres.
While Bishorjon actor Abir Chatterjee tweeted saying, "Our audience can only answer ths @KGunedited wud u prefer to see a bengali film or otherwise?choice is urs & NOW is the time to say it LOUD!" the Bishorjon director responded, "Think of Maharashtra & South! They protect their own cinema, we don't. Today it's Bishorjon, tomorrow it will be another Bangla chobi."
Other prolific Bengali directors like Srijit Mukherji (Begum Jaan), Atanu Ghosh (Angshumaner Chobi), Aniket Chattopadhyay (Bye Bye Bangkok), Birsa Dasgupta (Jaani Dyakha Hawbe) also raised their voice on the issue.
Director Kaushik Ganguly's Bishorjon received the award for Best Bengali Film in the 64th National Film Awards this year. The movie opened in theatres on April 14, 2017.
Here we gathered some of the Twitter reactions:
গর্ব করুন, "বাংলা ছবি বাংলা ছবি" করে, অথচ বিসর্জন না দেখে, দেখুন তেলেগু ছবির হিন্দী ডাবিং ভারসান বাহুবলী! সামনেই ২৫শে বৈশাখ কিন্তু ???
— Kaushik Ganguly (@KGunedited) April 25, 2017
I wish Bahubali all the success but not at the cost of Bishorjon.
— Kaushik Ganguly (@KGunedited) April 25, 2017
For whatever its worth, I stand by you @KGunedited. #Bisorjon #Bahubali2 https://t.co/DMjzkVX55o
— Srijit Mukherji (@srijitspeaketh) April 25, 2017
For whatever its worth, I stand by you @KGunedited. #Bisorjon #Bahubali2 https://t.co/DMjzkVX55o
— Srijit Mukherji (@srijitspeaketh) April 25, 2017
Our pride yes! We've nothing against any other film but we've to protect our cinema, Bengali Cinema. We have to! https://t.co/DJZm1yC3vH
— Birsa is One (@BirsaDasgupta) April 25, 2017
"বাহুবলী" আসছে বলে "বিসর্জন" তুলে দিতে হবে? মাল্টিপ্লেক্সে শো থাকবে না? আমরা এখনও চুপ করে থাকবো?
— aniket chattopadhyay (@aniket9163) April 25, 2017
দক্ষিণী 'বাহুবলী'র পেশীর দাপটে বাংলা সিনেমার অকাল 'বিসর্জন'!বাঙালী সর্বংসহা কিন্তু আর কতদিন এই গা-জোয়ারী? #Bishorjon #ProtectBanglaCinema
— Shibaji Panja (@ShibajiP) April 25, 2017
@karanjohar @ssrajamouli pulling down of a national award winning bengali film in bengal doesn't go with your stature sir,kindly reconsider
— Suvonkar Banerjee (@SuvonkarB) April 25, 2017
@KGunedited Faced this so many times.Only hope this round of screams for #Bisorjon should not start and end within Twitter & Facebook.
— Atanu Ghosh (@atanugsh) April 25, 2017