In a historic first for Indian cinema, the teaser of ‘Devi Chowdhurani’, the epic retelling of India’s first female freedom fighter lit up the towering screens of Times Square on August 15.
Starring Prosenjit Chatterjee as the legendary rebel Bhavani Pathak and Srabanti Chatterjee in the titular role, the film has already been generating buzz since its teaser launch on August 13 for its breathtaking visuals, stirring performances, and unapologetically revolutionary spirit.
Backed by ADited Motion Pictures (USA/India) and LOK Arts Collective (UK/India), the film marks the first-ever Indian feature to receive official Indo-UK co-production status from both governments, supported by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, NFDC, Film Facilitation Office, and Invest India .
Directed by National Award-winner Subhrajit Mitra, the magnum opus boasts a formidable creative team, including music by globally acclaimed composer Pandit Bickram Ghosh .
“ADited Motion Pictures, headquartered in the USA , has always been driven by the mission to take Indian stories to a global stage in partnership with LOK Arts Collective from the UK and India. Earlier last year, we unveiled our upcoming film ‘Joyguru’ , based on the life of Parvati Baul, at Times Square during Bengali New Year . Now, for the first time ever, an Indian story will blaze across the Times Square screens on Independence Day, our Bengali magnum opus Devi Chowdhurani. Rooted in Bengal yet universal in spirit, this is more than just a film, it’s India’s history meeting the world’s most iconic cultural crossroads,” said producers Aparna and Aniruddha Dasgupta ( ADited ) and Soumyajit Majumdar ( LOK ) in a joint statement.
Prosenjit Chatterjee affirmed, “Today my heart swells with pride. On our Independence day, the teaser of the film Devi Chowdhrani, the story of India’s first rebellion for freedom penned by the great, late Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, is lighting up the iconic Times Square, this incredible Indo-UK venture produced by Aniruddha Dasgupta, Aparna Dasgupta and Soumyajit, directed by Subhrajit Mitra is our tribute to the courage and spirit of our people and very soon the world will witness it. Releasing globally this Puja, one of the biggest festivals on this planet, this is India’s story told to the world. Bande Mataram.”
Srabanti further shared,”It is extremely exciting for us, for Team Devi Chowdhurani that the teaser of our upcoming film Devi Chowdhurani, (Bandit Queen of Bengal) will be showcased on the prestigious Times Square billboards in New York, throughout the Indian independence day, 2025. The film is slated for world release in the coming autumn. Durga Pujo 2025. I thank my Director Subhrajit Mitra and the producers ADited motion pictures and Lok Arts Collective for such a grand movie. This is a part of our forgotten history.”
As the final frames of the teaser blaze across Times Square, Devi Chowdhurani stands not just as a film, but as a resurrection of the Sanyasi-Fakir rebellion, a story forged in Bengal’s soil, tempered in the fires of resistance, and now projected onto the world’s most iconic skyline. This Durga Pujo, when the film storms theatres, audiences won’t just be watching history; they’ll be feeling the heartbeat of a revolution that refuses to fade.
