Christopher “Mir” Columbus now sets foot in 2016 Kolkata

Kolkata, Aug 09 : Over 500 years after his voyage into the Atlantic Ocean in the late 15th century and expedition to other continents, Christopher Columbus now sets his eyes on Kolkata circa 2016 to find out the elusive touchstone of happiness, albeit in a social satire in Bengali.

Titled Colkata-e Columbus, (Columbus in Kolkata), the film is a satirical comedy with element of fantasy where the ageless adventurer to new continents comes across depressed and stress-driven urbanites travelling from another time zone and another continent.

Columbus is a metaphor in a sense. He is a manifestation of our search for the elusive goal among all individuals, Columbus exists within us. He holds a mirror to us, popular RJ-actor-anchor Mir Afsal Ali told IBNS on location shoot of the film wearing the 15th century sailors trademark fatigue replete with the hat and Columbus jhola.

Mir enacts the role of Columbus in the film to whom two stress-driven young professionals of Kolkata look up to as their hero for giving their life a direction and purpose.

I play an IT professional Sam Ray, a.k.a Balahari Roy, in the film who is financially solvent but has no break from the 9-to-5 job in office and feels frustrated and stuck with the job.

He is helped by Columbus who suddenly pops up in his life. Sam can realise his fantasies afterwards. How, that should remain a mystery, Gourab Chakroborty, who had earned critical acclaim in Kaushik Gangulys IFFI-honored Apur Panchali two years back, said.

Director Sourabh Paolodhi said, Colkata-e Columbus is a political satire, a family film, a story of friendship, a story of achievement and unfulfilled desire. A film of many layers.
There is punning in the way the name of Kolkata has been spelt in conformity with the name of Columbus in the title. We have tried to be a bit wacky in the film.

In the present age you cant entirely recreate the look of 15th century. The present social scenario is different and the social structure also remains poles apart from that age. In my film I took troubles to ensure Columbus acts as the cross between two times, he said.

Popular Bengali actor Tanusree Chakroborty is among other important members of the cast.

Produced by Mojo Productions and Sony Aath, the film is slated to be released by the year-end.