8 April was the 128th death anniversary of the famous Indian novelist Maharshi Bankimchandra Chatterjee. To mark the occasion, renowned writer and producer Ram Kamal Mukherjee and former head of Zee Studios, Sujoy Kutty, has collaborated with K. V. Vijendra Prasad for a film ‘1770 Ek Sangram’. The story is inspired by Chatterjee’s well-known Bengali novel Anandamath.
The film also marks the 150th year of Vande Mataram which gave impetus to the Swaraj movement in India against the British Empire. Chatterjee wrote the song in his novel Anandmath Ke, which was published in Bangadarshan in 1872. Shailendra Kumar of SS1 Entertainment and Suraj Sharma of PK Entertainment will produce the film 1770 Ek Sangram along with executive producer Ram Kamal Mukherjee.
Senior writer K. V. Vijendra Prasad said, “I was surprised when Sujoy came to me for Anandamath. I read this novel many years ago and I don’t think today’s generation can relate to it. But when I met Ram Kamal, he clarified his opinion about Anandamath, he has different opinion about it. After meeting two or three times now I look forward to working on a whole new perspective on this subject. Modifying Anandmath in new way is a real challenge for me.”
Former head of Zee Studios, Sujoy Kutty, said, “I look forward to bring the magic of Vande Mataram back on screen through the film 1770 Ek Sangram. I have worked with Vijendra Sir for Manikarnika and we have also worked together in two other projects. When Ram Kamal approached us for 1770 Ek Sangram, the name Vijendra Sir came to my mind after seeing this project and work. I am happy that young producers like Shailendra Kumar and Suraj Sharma are making film on real heroes. When we will be ready with first draft of the story then only we will cast the actors.”
According to renowned writer and filmmaker Ram Kamal Mukherjee, “This is a dream project for me. I think this is the right time to tell the story of Anandamath. I think the unique story of the ascetics who fought against the British Empire and sowed the seeds of freedom can be told in a different way through the film.”
The film will be shot in Hyderabad, West Bengal and London. According to Suraj Sharma, a young producer at PK Entertainment, “As a student, I was always inspired by this patriotic films. I studied Bankimchandra’s literature in school but Anandamath was not a part of my curriculum. I was very excited when Ramkamal Sir told me the film. Unfortunately people have forgotten such rare gems. I am sure that as a producer I would like to start with a film that connects with the spirit of India.”
A teaser poster of the film will be released by the end of May. “Shooting is expected to start from October 2022. This is a big project and it requires a huge budget. It will take us a year and a half to complete this film, “said Ram Kamal.
