Aparna Sen's next film based on Bengali story Goynar Baksho

Kolkata: Filmmaker Aparna Sen’s next film will be based on the celebrated Bengali writer Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay’s famous story Goynar Baksho or box of jewels. It has been 19 years since she had first thought of making a movie on the story which deals with three generations of women, but not getting the right production house to finance the film delayed the project. [caption id=“attachment_401756” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Aparna Sen also directed Mr and Mrs Iyer. Courtesy: Ibn Live[/caption] “When I first read the book way back in 1993, I instantly decided to turn it into celluloid, but the delay was due to not getting the right production house to finance the film. Now finally it is happening,” Sen said at a function. The 66-year-old, whose work includes Mr and Mrs Iyer, 36Chowringhee lane, and the latest Iti Mrinalini, said she had requested the writer not to give the book’s rights to anyone. The film starring Mousumi Chatterjee, Konkona Sen Sharma and Saswata Chatterjee tells the story of women across three generations and their social positions revealed through their attachment to the box of jewels. “What I found fascinating about the book is that every generation of women keep sharing different relationships with the box, which gets reflected in the transition in the role of women in society,” Sen said. While Moushumi will be cast in the role of a 72-year-old Buri Pishima, the most important character in the film, Srabanti will play the old lady’s young avatar. Sen’s daughter Konkona will be cast as Somlata, wife of Buri Pishima’s nephew Chandan, who is shy and has some speech difficulty. According to the story, after Pishima’s death, the box comes to Somlata’s possession when she is driven by Buri Pishima’s ghost to steal the box and hide it where it wouldn’t be found by anyone. “I have a shooting schedule in Mumbai but my mind is with you all. This will sure herald a new adventure,” Konkona said in a text message from Mumbai. Mousumi is excited to work in the film and said she drew a lot of pleasure doing her role in the The Japanese Wife. “She liked my way of dialogue delivery in Bengali perhaps and I am here again with her in the next film. And who will not love to work with a director like Aparna Sen?” she said. Saswata, who as Bob Biswas in Kahaani stole the hearts of millions, said, “for me it is a dream come true to work with Aparna Sen. PTI