Every Pujo has its cinematic headliners, and this year is no different. From Eken Babu’s latest mystery and the return of Bohurupi to Dev’s directorial debut and Srijit Mukherji’s period drama, Tollywood’s festive slate is packed with anticipation. These four releases are among the season’s biggest draws, carrying high expectations at both the box office and among audiences across Bengal and beyond.
DeSu7
Director: Dev
Cast: Dev, Subhashree Ganguly, Anirban Bhattacharya
What to expect: DeSu7 – Dev’s directorial debut, marks his much-awaited on-screen reunion with Subhashree Ganguly. A relationship-driven drama, the film explores the turbulent reunion of two estranged souls. It also stars Anirban Bhattacharya, whom Dev had publicly insisted on casting, making the project one of Pujo’s most anticipated releases.
Emperor vs Sarat Chandra
Director: Srijit Mukherji
Cast: Abir Chatterjee, Tota Roy Choudhury, Mimi Chakraborty, Rudranil Ghosh
What to expect: Speaking to CT in November, Srijit said Emperor VS Sarat Chandra revisits the controversy surrounding the publication and subsequent ban of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Pather Dabi in 1926. The period drama also explores the aftermath of the ban, including exchanges with Rabindranath Tagore, and marks Srijit’s debut as a music director.
The Eken: Kerala-e Kurukshetra
Director: Joydeep Mukherjee
Cast: Anirban Chakrabarti, Suhotra Mukhopadhyay, Somak Ghosh, Ritwick Chakraborty, Raima Sen, Kamaleswar Mukherjee, Ambarish Bhattacharya, Arna Mukhopadhyay, Subrat Dutta, Shataf Figar
What to expect: According to director Joydeep Mukherjee, The Eken: Kerala-e Kurukshetra is among the most ambitious stories in the Eken universe so far. While retaining the humour, warmth and eccentricity associated with Eken Babu, the film ventures into a larger conflict with national implications. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Kerala, the story promises a blend of mystery, suspense, action and adventure. The director says the aim is to deliver an entertaining theatrical experience that remains true to the spirit of the franchise while expanding its scale. The film also introduces Raima Sen and Ritwick Chakraborty to the Eken universe.
Bohurupi: The Golden Daku
Director: Nandita Roy, Shiboprosad Mukherjee
Cast: Shiboprosad Mukherjee, Jisshu U Sengupta, Sohini Sarkar, Koushani Mukherjee
What to expect: “The audience embraced Bohurupi wholeheartedly when it was released two years ago, and I truly believe the sequel will raise the stakes even higher – delivering double the thrill, double the suspense, and an even more exhilarating cinematic experience. The saga of the iconic bank robber has been shot across 96 locations in West Bengal, adding greater authenticity, visual richness and scale to the film’s world,” said Nandita Roy.
If the sequel can once again connect with people the way Bohurupi did, that will be our biggest reward: Nandita Roy. We want to stay true to the spirit of the franchise while taking it to a whole new level: Joydeep Mukherjee.
