Filmmaker seeks CM's help for screening movie on 1946 riots

Director Milan Bhowmik has written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urging her to take "immediate steps" to ensure that his film 'Danga', based on 1946 riots in Calcutta, is released in theatres across the state.

The film, which has actor Gajendra Chauhan in the role of Jan Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, was scheduled to release in 37 theatres in West Bengal on April 27, but only two movie halls have agreed to screen it so far, Bhowmik said here today.

"I have mailed letters to the offices of the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary on April 27 and received a confirmation about the delivery. I am yet to get a reply to my letters," he explained.

It is sad that a film that has been awarded a U/A certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification did not get a proper release in the state, Bhowmik rued.

"I am now hoping the state government intervenes into the matter to ensure that the film gets screen time in the stipulated theatres," he said.

The Hindi version of 'Danga' is running successfully in theatres of Assam, Bihar and Jharkhand, Bhowmik said. "The film is doing well in other states. I am facing problems only in Bengal."