Dear Maa (2025)

Interesting facts

Dear Maa is a 2025 Indian Bengali-language drama film directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and produced by Aashish Singh. The film marks Chowdhury's return to Bengali cinema after a decade, following his acclaimed 2014 film Buno Haansh. It explores themes of motherhood, adoption, and identity through the story of a career-driven woman who adopts a child.

Production

Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury conceived the project after a friend shared a story that inspired him, marking his return to Bengali cinema after working primarily in Hindi films for a decade. He developed the concept with writer Sakyajit Bhattacharya, with whom he had previously worked, describing their process as "jamming together, writing, thinking, and enjoying" rather than a formal approach.

Chowdhury specifically wrote the lead role for Jaya Ahsan, inspired by her performance in their previous collaboration Kadak Singh, citing her "subtle arrogance," dignity, and silent depth as perfect for the character. The supporting cast including Saswata Chatterjee and Chandan Roy Sanyal were selected for their ability to portray nuanced characters, with Chatterjee playing a layered police officer and Sanyal bringing bohemian unpredictability.

Principal photography began in May 2024 in Kolkata, with additional shooting taking place during the monsoon season. The production utilized notable Kolkata locations including Birkmyre Hostel on Middleton Row, a historic colonial building with French windows that provided a distinctive atmospheric backdrop.

The production emphasized relationship-building among cast and crew, creating a supportive atmosphere with snacks and informal interactions. Key scenes featured Dhritiman Chatterjee and Jaya Ahsan walking through corridors, with Chowdhury carefully choreographing their movements and pauses. The child actors received particular praise for their performances, especially impressive given it was their first acting experience.

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