Kolkata: Filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s fictional detective character ‘Felu da’ came to life on the screens through iconic actor Soumitra Chatterjee. Since then ‘Felu da’ has lived through the ages with many others portraying the same character. However, it is Soumitra Chatterjee that most Bengalis identify with as the real ‘Felu da’.
Now national award-winning director Srijit Mukherji is now all set to introduce another ‘Felu da’on OTT platform this Christmas. Named ‘Felu da Pherot’ (the return of Feluda), it has two popular stories. They are Chhinomostar Obhishaap and Joto Kando Kathmandu te‘ of which the first one will be streamed this winter for children and adult alike.
“I hope my Felu da will be accepted well by audiences. I had been an avid reader of the detective stories by Ray like every other Bengali. I always nursed the wish to make a film on the detective character retaining the salient features and traits. I hope I have been able to do that,” Mukherji told reporters after the trailer launch of the web production Saturday.
The director also expressed his huge appreciation for actors who have played ‘Felu da’. They are Soumitra Chatterjee and popular actor Sabyasachi Chakroborty and Abir Chatterjee. All the three had brought to life the pivotal character in their own ways in celluloid works of Ray and his son Sandip Ray.
Tota Roychowdhury is the new Feluda in Chhinomostar Obhishaap and Joto Kando Kathmandute. He said: “Years back I had met Srijit during the premiere of another ‘Felu da’ film. Srijit had told me then only that he would cast me as ‘Felu da’ if he ever made a film on the detective character.”
Tota added: “Years later, when Srijit became famous, he called me up when I was in Mumbai for a Hindi project. He told me he had me in mind for his upcoming ‘Felu da Ferot’ series. He wanted to know when I will be back in Kolkata when he will do a look test. However, two days before the look test, he texted me. He informed that I have been picked up for the role. My lifelong dreams have been fulfilled,” Tota said.
Ray’s director son Sandip, who had brought several ‘Felu da’ films on big screen wished Mukherji the best for the OTT venture.
