The timeless tale of trust, loyalty and betrayal: Athhoi unveils its trailer

​In 2016, the Bengali theatre group Natadha staged ‘Athhoi’, the stage adaptation William Shakespeare’s ‘Othello’. Directed by Arna Mukhopadhyay, the play featured Anirban Bhattacharya, Turna Das, and Arna in the lead. Since then, Athhoi is considered to be one of the most successful plays in Bengal in recent times. It was confirmed last year that ‘Athhoi’ is to be adapted to the big screen. Arna and Anirban have been working behind ‘Athhoi’, the film, ever since. The trailer of the film released on June 6.

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​Arna Mukhopadhyay’s ‘Athhoi’ is adapted from Shakespeare’s Othello. Like the original work, the adaptation too is outright political. The Moor of Venice here is quixotic doctor Athhoi Lodha (Arna), who belongs to a backward caste, hence the Dalit backdrop. ‘Athhoi’ came into play with the shades of Rohith Vemula and Jignesh Mevani, especially when the Dalit movement drew focus in the campus corridors across the country. Athhoi, played by Arna, personified a character that’s made of a boisterous leader, a political persona, an ardent lover, an avid dreamer, and a man of honour. On the other hand, Anirban’s Iago, represented the cunningness in blood and flesh. Turna Das embodied Diya, the character of Desdemona, a woman characterised by her spirited demeanour and sheer intelligence. Diya aka Desdemona is the one who symbolised love in ‘Athhoi’.

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​‘Athhoi’, the film, is directed by none other than Arna Mukhopadhyay. Anirban Bhattacharya has served as the creative director of the film. The film stars Arna as Athhoi, Anirban as Gogo and actress Sohini Sarkar as Diya. The cast also includes Ditipriya Roy, Arpan Ghoshal, Koushik Banerjee, Mimi Dutta and Sumit Panja. The much-anticipated trailer of the film is finally out.

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​The official logo of ‘Athhoi’, the film, was released in last December. The shoot for the film started thereafter. ‘Athhoi’s release has been a topic of contemplation since then because of its political subtext. ‘Athhoi’ will release in theatres on June 14.

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