The makers of “Chhobiwala” wishes to screen this film free of cost. The intent is not to release this film on any commercial basis. This is purely a tribute to Rahul Arunoday Banerjee. The makers believe that with the support of theatre associations and hall owners, this effort can become possible. We sincerely request everyone to stand by us.
A notable point: The film was initially titled Negative, which suited the mood and theme of the story.
However, the sudden demise of Rahul Arunoday Banerjee deeply shook us as artists. It forced us to reflect not just on the story, but on life itself. From this grief and emotion, we decided to rename the film Chhobiwala as a tribute to him. His passing impacted us so deeply that we felt this film must be dedicated to a true “image-maker”—an artist who will live forever through his work. This film is therefore not just a story, but our heartfelt homage to him.
We still cannot believe that Rahul Da is no longer among us. His sudden departure is not only a huge loss for the Bengali film industry, but also an irreplaceable void in my personal life.
I am forever indebted to him. My first film was “Shohorer Upokotha.” At that time, I was completely new to the industry and didn’t know anyone. Rahul Da personally took the initiative to call various actors and tell them, “Shubhrajyoti (Bappa) can do this work, you should collaborate with him.” That faith from a person like him taught me how to stand on my own feet. Rahul Da was the one who believed in me, taught me how to work, and most importantly, how to believe in myself.
My first film, my first courageous step forward in the industry, everything began with him. Like a true mentor, he didn’t just teach me the craft, he taught me to trust myself and to dream.
The film we made together, “Chhobiwala,” is not just a film for us—it is a deeply emotional journey.
In this film, Rahul Da portrays an artist, a photographer who spends his entire life striving for recognition, but ironically receives it only after his death. During his lifetime, his dedication and struggle go unrecognized.
The final scene becomes even more haunting, where his character drowns in water.
Within the narrative, it is a moment of sacrifice—an artist giving up his life to secure his family’s future.
This strange resemblance with reality shook us to our core, and that is why this film has become even more personal and emotional for us.
We want to clearly state that there is no intention of personal promotion or profit behind bringing this film forward. Our only wish is that Rahul Da’s memory lives on with dignity in people’s hearts.
That is why we have decided that “Chhobiwala” will not be released for commercial gain. From our production’s side, we will try our best to ensure that audiences can watch the film in theatres free of cost. This will be our tribute to him.
As a student, if I can honor my mentor in this way, I will feel that perhaps Rahul Da will find a little peace.
At this time, we earnestly request everyone in the Bengali film industry to stand by us. We also appeal to our friends in the media to support this initiative, so that Chhobiwala becomes not just a film, but a reflection of an artist’s unfinished dreams, struggles, and true essence.
The journey of making this film was not easy. Limited budget, time constraints, and the challenges of working independently made every step difficult. From locations to technical support, even team management at times—everything was a major challenge. Yet, through all these adversities, the dedication and love of our team carried the film forward. My expectation is simple—that the audience connects with the film emotionally. If the story leaves an impression and makes them think, our effort will be worthwhile. This film is a tribute to Rahul Da—something that does not end, but lives on forever among lovers of art.
The music of this film has been composed by Soumyarit, designed to deeply express the emotions of the story. We have tried to ensure that every note and every background score merges seamlessly with the visuals. The songs are not just meant to be heard, but to be felt—where lyrics and composition together create another layer of storytelling.
Special mention must be made that Rupam Islam has lent his voice to a song in this film, which also stands as a heartfelt tribute to Rahul Arunoday Banerjee. The song is deeply connected with the emotions and characters, making the narrative more touching and meaningful. Additionally, Somlata Acharya and Jojo Mukherjee have also contributed songs.
Rahul Arunoday Banerjee was not just a talented actor, but a pillar of support for independent filmmakers. His belief and encouragement towards new and unconventional creators like me has been truly inspiring. From my first film Shohorer Upokotha, he kept motivating me. I have done very little work in my career, but most of it has been with Rahul Da—and that is my greatest achievement.
What stands out is that Rahul Da always respected the importance of storytelling and embraced new ideas. Without his encouragement and support, our journey would have been far more difficult.
Rahul Da, you will live on in every frame we create, in every piece of work, and deep within our hearts.
Forever.
Presented by Matchstickx Motion Pictures and produced by A4J Films.
Director: Bappa
Story & Screenplay: Shantanu Nath
Presented by Matchstick Motion Pictures and produced by A4J Films.
Cast:
Rahul Banerjee
Debleena Dutta
Sreelekha Mitra (Special Appearance)
Shantanu Nath
Rana Basu Thakur
Rimi Deb
Khaled Mahmood Turjo
Arpan Bose
Aradhana Jana
Crew:
Cinematography: Apu Mukherjee
Art Direction: Neel Kaushik
Lyrics & Music Direction: Soumya Rit
Makeup: Srishtika Biswas
Editing & Color Grading: Sayantan Nag
Poster Design: Grey Matter
Media & Publicity: Rana Basu Thakur
