After receiving a positive response at film festivals around the globe, Bengali film Avijatrik released in West Bengal last week to much appreciation. The film is now all set to release in theatres across India with subtitles. The movie is directed by Subhrajit Mitra, produced by Gaurang Films (Gaurang Jalan), Bhandarkar Entertainment (Madhur Bhandarkar) and co-presented by NCKS Explorations.

Gaurang Jalan said, “It’s not just a film, it’s an emotion that we were keen to create. My director, cast and crew managed to recreate Apu’s world and most of the people who have seen Satyajit Ray’s Apu trilogy were nostalgic after watching the film. Going forward, we will be exploring more stories beyond languages. We are excited to make content that will strike a chord.”

The film earlier travelled to IFFI (International Film Festival of India — selected in Panorama) and KIFF (Kolkata International Film Festival) in India and later to nearly 40 international film festivals, receiving 28 awards till date.

Avijatrik, a tribute to Satyajit Ray, Ravi Shankar and Soumitra Chatterjee, takes off from Apur Sansar, which was a part of the Apu trilogy that ended in 1959. The film is based on the last one-third part of Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay’s novel Aparajita.

Madhur Bhandarkar said, “When I heard the narration, I was impressed and I am happy with the way the film has shaped up. People have loved the music, the sensitive portrayal by the lead cast and the way Banaras has been recreated in black and white, making the film very picturesque.”

Avijatrik stars Arjun Chakrabarty, Ditipriya Roy and Arpita Chatterjee in key roles. The music of the film is by Pt. Bickram Ghosh while the title track is a variation by Anoushka Shankar, of her father Pt. Ravi Shankar’s iconic Pather Panchali theme.