Mumbai, Sep 11
Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee, who is awaiting the release of his upcoming film ‘Devi Chowdhurani: Bandit Queen of Bengal’, has lauded the revamping of Devi Chowdhurani Temple in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal.
The temple was recently unveiled marking the blend of history, heritage, and cinema. The event was attended by dignitaries including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. It was a reminder that the legend of Devi Chowdhurani is not confined to folklore but continues to inspire stories of courage, resilience, and empowerment.
The shrine carries immense cultural and historical weight, dedicated to the legendary Devi Chowdhurani, who is considered a symbol of courage, empowerment, and resistance in Bengali folklore. Believed to have been founded in the 18th century by Devi Chowdhurani herself along with her associate Bhavani Pathak, the temple was tragically gutted by fire in 2018.
Talking about the same, Prosenjit Chatterjee said, “Just hearing this gives me goosebumps. The reconstruction of the Devi Chowdhurani temple is truly a moment of pride and devotion for all of us. What could be better news than this, when our heritage and faith come together to be preserved for future generations?â€.
The temple’s meticulous restoration has revived not only its architectural beauty but also its spiritual aura, with striking new murals depicting the fearless exploits of the two rebels who stood against British rule.
The temple’s reopening comes at a time when the story of Devi Chowdhurani is being reimagined for the big screen. The film stars Srabanti Chatterjee and Prosenjit Chatterjee, and is one of the most anticipated releases this Durga Puja.
Srabanti Chatterjee said, “It was unexpected news for me. I was thrilled and overjoyed. Our film tells the story of the first woman freedom fighter of our country. It celebrates the empowerment of women. The effort to reconstruct the dilapidated temple and restore its former glory is an outstanding step. In this way, we are paying our sincere homage to these forgotten warriors of our freedom struggle. Our film Devi Chowdhurani is releasing this Durga Pujaâ€.
Director Subhrajit Mitra said, “I knew that such a temple exists in North Bengal, and I have personally visited it myself. After the film’s release, perhaps we will go there to offer our prayers. But even before that, it feels wonderful to see this initiativeâ€.
The film is directed by Subhrajit Mitra and produced by Aniruddha Dasgupta (ADited Motion Pictures) in association with Soumyajit Majumdar’s LOK Arts Collective, and marks India’s first Indo-UK Bengali co-production.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Amazing initiative! We need more such restorations across India. Our freedom fighters' legacies should never be forgotten. Looking forward to watching the film this Durga Puja 🎬
As a history student, I'm thrilled to see our forgotten heroes getting the recognition they deserve. Devi Chowdhurani was indeed one of the earliest women freedom fighters. This temple restoration and film will help educate younger generations about her bravery.
While I appreciate the restoration, I hope the focus remains on the historical significance rather than just the cinematic connection. These sites are sacred spaces, not just film promotion venues.
Bah! Khub bhalo! 🇮🇳 This is exactly what we need - connecting our rich history with modern storytelling. The timing with Durga Puja release is perfect. Eager to see how the film portrays her journey from folklore to freedom fighter.
So proud of our Bengali culture and heritage! 👠The combination of temple restoration and film release will definitely bring Devi Chowdhurani's story to more people. Hope they maintain the authenticity in both the temple and the movie.
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