The Kerala Story director Sudipto Sen, at the trailer launch of his upcoming produced film Charak, spoke about how audiences enjoy films like Animal and Dhurandhar, yet label realistic films such as The Kerala Story and Charak as “propaganda,” which also faces CBFC hurdles.
He stated, “Our censor board follows a kind of double standard. Many of the governing practices are decades old. The Cinematograph Act itself dates back to 1952. A few years ago, the censor board accepted the recommendations of the Shyam Benegal Committee report, but the law and its implications have still not been fully implemented. We will continue to raise our voices and speak about these issues on different forums. I also urge everyone to speak about the pain and agony that filmmakers have to go through in such situations, we would truly appreciate it.”
Talking about Charak, he mentioned, “The idea of Charak was born from my long-standing fascination with faith and the powerful rituals that exist in the hinterlands of our country. During my travels, I witnessed the intensity and emotional depth surrounding the traditional Charak festival, and it stayed with me. Over time, that lived experience evolved into a story exploring belief, devotion, and the fine line between faith and fear. That is how Charak slowly took shape and eventually became a film.”
The Film, which stars Anjali Patil, Sahidur Rahaman, Subrat Dutta, Shashi Bhushan, Nalneesh Neel, Shankhadeep, and Shounak Shyamal, delves into real-life situations involving blind faith and occult practices in India’s hinterlands. The Film is presented by Dr. Jayantilal Gada (PEN Studios).
For the unversed, the film is directed by Shieladitya Moulik, produced by Dhaval Gada and Sipping Tea Cinemas, in association with Sudipto Sen Productions, with Rajesh Bhatt serving as the associate producer.