Swastika Mukherjee is stepping into the lead role of Indo-American film Chheledhora, a Bengali-language road drama-thriller that begins shooting on 1 March across Itanagar and Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh. The project places Mukherjee, known for Qala (2022), Pataallok (2020) and Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015), at the centre of a tense story about parenting, loss and difficult choices.
At the heart of Chheledhora is Brishti, a divorced and troubled mother played by Mukherjee, whose impulsive decision to secretly take her daughter out for a birthday celebration goes badly wrong when the child is actually kidnapped. The character must fix the crisis using methods that challenge usual morality, sending Brishti through a harsh, life-changing experience that exposes how self-centred parents overlook their duties.
Chheledhora story, cast and Bengali road movie concept
The narrative mixes family emotion, thriller pacing and streaks of dark humour while staying rooted in Bengali language and culture. Chheledhora positions itself as a rare Bengali road movie led by a morally complex woman, with Brishti’s inner battles driving the plot more than spectacle. The makers intend to take this story to international film festivals, aiming for audiences beyond language borders through shared feelings and relationships.
Speaking about taking on Brishti, Swastika said, “Brishti is not an easy woman to like, and that’s what moved me, she is impulsive, wounded and deeply flawed, but her love for her daughter is instinctive and fierce. I was drawn to the vulnerability in her – the way this unexpected journey forces her to confront herself. At its heart, this is a very tender story about motherhood, forgiveness and finding strength in the most fragile moments.”
Chheledhora production, Arunachal Pradesh shoot and Indo-American team
Director Shieladitya Moulik will film Chheledhora across relatively less-seen landscapes in Arunachal Pradesh, centring the story around Itanagar and Ziro. Moulik said, “I’m really excited to shoot in Arunachal Pradesh. It is not just picturesque but a hub for talented actors and technicians. We have as many as 14- cast crew members from the region. While Arunachal Pradesh is the heart of our film, we have stretched the canvas with an Indo- American production, an Italian cinematographer Vincenzo Condorelli and a strategic international festival run plan”.
The film is backed by Handyyman from Mumbai and Sita22 Films from USA and India, bringing together Indian and American producers on one project. This collaboration highlights the interest in rooted regional stories that still speak to audiences abroad. An Italian cinematographer, Vincenzo Condorelli, joins the unit, underlining the international nature of the crew alongside strong participation from local Arunachal Pradesh talent.
The filmmaker brings experience from both independent and festival circuits. Moulik’s previous film Surjo enjoyed an 11-week theatrical run. Earlier, Moulik directed Mrs. Scooter (2015), while Charak screened at Cannes in 2025 and is now preparing for release in Indian cinemas. This background suggests a blend of commercial awareness and festival-facing storytelling for Chheledhora.
For Mukherjee, who has already worked in Hindi projects such as Qala, Pataallok and Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!, Chheledhora offers another layered character in a regional-language setting with global reach. With Arunachal Pradesh’s landscapes, an Indo-American production framework, festival ambitions and a story centred on flawed parents seeking healing, the film positions itself as a contemporary Bengali road drama with universal emotional appeal.