Ashok Samrat will be an out-an-out modern day commercial film that will pull audiences to the theatres during the festive time of Raja, assures actor Arindam Roy on the sets of the film. Incidentally, Ashok Samrat is his first film as a producer. A multi-starrer, the film is being shot on a large scale budget under the banner of Anapurna Entertainment and is being directed by Jyoti Das.
Talking about his double role of an actor and producer, Arindam says, ‘’though it means double responsibility, I am enjoying it. We are trying to make a good film and yes as a producer, I want to ensure we are not making any compromises whatsoever.’’ On his character in the film, Arindam informs that Ashok is someone who is intelligent and witty and has his own style of dealing with things. He creates problems but finds a way out. He tries to bring in change in the society but in his own way, which his mother, being played by veteran actress Mahasweta doesn’t approve of. In fact, on the sets of the film, it was an emotional scene being shot between Ashok and his mother in the backdrop of a hospital.
‘‘I play the widow of an honest and straight minister and somehow I do not understand Ashok and his ways of handling situations and hence there is a conflict between the two of us all the time,’’ admits Mahasweta after wrapping up the scene with the right amount of hysterics required.
Though it was all emotions in the scene, the set atmosphere was fun and laughter. The film has quite a few ‘bad men’ including Minaketan, Manoj Mishra, Pintu Nanda and Puppy Santuka, some of whom were busy teasing and sharing a joke with the young Arindam.
Continuing in the same fun note, Arindam informs that the film has a lot of humour in it and comedy can be considered an USP of the film. Joining in his lead actress Emili Chowdhury adds on that there are plenty of comic situations in the film, many revolving around her. ‘’My character is that of a traditional and simple girl who falls in love with Ashok,’’ she informs. Besides being happy about how the film is shaping up, the cast and crew on the sets believe that the film will have a rich look, something to look forward to.
‘’I can sense it when I come for the shooting that I am just not part of a good film but a huge film considering its grandeur,’’ admits Manoj Mishra. Pintu Nanda, who plays a corrupt minister in the film and Puppy Santuka who dons the role of an industrialist in his second film with Jyoti Das, also feel the film will appeal to the audiences for its grand look and potential star cast. The other actors include comedians Hari, Jayee, Ding Dong, Sunita Garabadu and Moushami.
The film has music by Abhijit Majumdar and according to Arindam, the songs in the film will be one of the major high points. ‘’We are trying to rope in Sunidhi and Mohit Chauhan to sing for us and most of the songs will be shot in Pondicherry or Kerala,’’ he informs.
Director Jyoti Das feels that though the festival time will see a lot of big releases, Ashok Samrat will be able to capture the hearts of audiences. Like any other commercial film, Ashok Samrat has all the ingredients of action, comedy and emotions yet it will have a freshness that will appeal to the audiences, he asserts. ‘’This is a big budget film and you can know that when you see the film. For the first time, the film will see some very expensive cars being used for that rich effect. That apart, it is a good film and I am sure the impact that me and Arindam had created with Good Boy, this film will carry it forward,’’ he concludes.