Chanchal and Pori Moni to lead modern Tagore adaptation ‘Shasti’

Rabindranath Tagore’s timeless short story Shasti is returning to the silver screen, reimagined as a contemporary psychological thriller. Directed by Leesa Gazi (Barir Naam Shahana), the film features an ensemble cast including Chanchal Chowdhury, Pori Moni, Aanon Siddiqua, and Orko Das.

The project was officially launched at a Dhaka hotel on Monday, January 19. Unlike previous adaptations, this version shifts Tagore's narrative into the modern era, focusing on the death of Lucky, a popular social media influencer. Her demise ignites a digital firestorm and a media trial that places her sister-in-law, Meera, under intense scrutiny.

Shasti stands out as a major international co-production involving six production houses across the UK, Pakistan, India, USA, Australia, Hong Kong, and Bangladesh, including Kamala Collective and Goopy Bagha Productions.

Chanchal Chowdhury described the film as a "rare psychological opportunity," praising Gazi’s layered character development. Pori Moni expressed immediate interest in the script, noting the strong portrayal of female characters in a modern context.

Director Leesa Gazi explained that while the roots belong to Tagore, the film explores the "gap between real and virtual lives" and the restless nature of contemporary society. This marks the feature film debut in Bangladesh for Orko Das and a second collaboration between Gazi and Aanon Siddiqua.