The Kerala Story, a film that chronicled the history and culture of Kerala through the eyes of a young journalist, was one of the biggest hits of 2022. The film, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Sudipto Sen, received critical acclaim and commercial success for its realistic portrayal of the state and its people. The film also marked the debut of Adah Sharma, who played the female lead opposite Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Now, the same team is back with another ambitious project, titled Bastar. The film is based on the Naxalite movement, a Maoist insurgency that has been active in several parts of India since the late 1960s. The film will focus on the lives and struggles of the tribal people in Bastar, a region in Chhattisgarh that has been a hotbed of Naxalite activity. Adah Sharma will play the role of a tribal woman who joins the rebels.
The film is co-produced by Aashin A Shah, who also co-produced The Kerala Story. The film has been written by Sudipto Sen and Ritesh Shah, who have done extensive research on the subject. The film will be shot in authentic locations in Bastar and other parts of Chhattisgarh, with the permission and cooperation of the local authorities and communities.
The shooting of the film began today, with a puja ceremony attended by the cast and crew. The film is expected to release in mid-2024. The makers have promised that the film will be a gripping and realistic account of one of the most complex and controversial issues in India’s contemporary history.