BAfter having produced regional films in languages like Bhojpuri ('Bam Bam Bol Raha Kashi'), Marathi ('Ventilator'), Punjabi ('Sarvann'), the actress is currently awaiting the release of the Sikkimese film 'Pahuna' and Goan film 'Little Joe'. The 'Baywatch' actress is now all set to venture into Bengali cinema with a Bengali-Marathi bilingual based on the life of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.
The film will showcase the story of a 17-year-old Rabindranath Tagore, who was staying with Dr Atmaram Pandurang Turkhud in Mumbai. During his time there, Rabindranath fell in love with Atmaram's 20-year-old daughter, Annapurna. Annapurna, who had just returned from England, owing to her knowledge of English etiquette and the language became Tagore's tutor.
As the classes progressed, an easy platonic intimacy developed between the two. On Annapurna’s insistence, Tagore gave her the name Nalini, and immortalised her in a poem and set to music too. However, as Tagore’s father did not approve of his lady love, the liaison ended. In 1880, Annapurna married a Scot, Harold Littledale, and the couple left for England.
Talking about the project, National Award-winning director Ujjwal Chatterjee said, "It was a platonic love story and the film will narrate it from the point of view of a young student, who visits modern-day Santiniketan and sees a picture of Annapurna captioned 'Nalini'."
The film was earlier to be titled as 'Sound Of Silence' based on the classic Simon and Garfunkel song. While the film was earlier to be made on Tagore's life with this love story being a small part of the narrative, they later changed the plans.
Director Ujjwal Chatterjee further added, "When we met Madhu Chopra around two years ago, they wanted to know how much of the story was factually accurate and true. I showed them my research and they agreed to produce the film. It has since materialised into a saga of unrequited love."
Talking about the project Madhu Chopra said, "Priyanka wants good stories to reach audiences. 'Nalini' has great potential and is an entertaining subject. We’re happy to be associated with it."
CREDITS: MUMBAI MIRROR