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ShareMumbai: If your image about Bengalis is that of intellectuals, be ready for a surprise in Vishal Bhardwaj's forthcoming film Kaminey. The film-maker is set to demolish the established concept of the Bengali stereotype and show them in a negative light. Vishal is exploring the role Bengali mafia plays in Mumbai's underbelly.
A source says, "The film will take a fresh angle to the Bengali stereotype and show the Bengali mafia at work. Vishal is certainly keeping up with his reputation for the unusual and what's most interesting is the cast of the film. He has cast new Bengali actors with major theatre background to play the roles of these underworld goons."
Actors Chandan Roy Sanyal, Debu Mukherjee and Rajavata Dutta play three notorious men involved in shady deals. Reportedly many Bengalis have been involved in some notorious crimes in Mumbai city for many years now and have played key figures in the city's throbbing underbelly.
Mumbai has been a witness to many riots due to religious differences, seen many bombs rip it apart and is a home to thousands (including Bengalis) who travel to the city daily in search for a better life.
The source adds, "For Chandan and Rajatvata this is their first foray into Hindi cinema and both are visibly excited. Chandan plays Shahid Kapur's best friend in the film."
Vishal says, "There was no particular reason that we went looking for Bengali characters in the film. But we did not want the stereotypical Maharashtrian don of Hindi film. The underworld is run by people from many regions in the cosmopolitan Mumbai. We wanted interesting characters and Debu, Rajatava and Chandan play three Bengali book-keepers involved in shady businesses."
