In 2016, the Bengali theatre group Natadha staged its Othello adaptation Athoi. Directed by Arna Mukhopadhyay, the play features Anirban Bhattacharya, Turna Das, and Arna in the lead. Even since Athoi is considered to be one of the most successful plays in Bengal in recent times. Later, Sohini Sarkar played the female lead on stage.

In 2023, SVF and Jio Studios announced their collaborative production Athoi on the big screen. This is also a directorial debut of a feature film for Arna. on Friday, it was announced that the film will hit the theatre on June 14.

Sohini will play Diya, a character based on Desdemona, while Arna depicts Dr Athhoi Lodha, based on Othello. Anirban will be seen as Gogo, an enigmatic character akin to the cunning Iago from Shakespeare's original work. He is also the creative director of the film.

Anirban Bhattacharya said, “Our aim with Athhoi is to offer audiences a fresh perspective on a classic tale. It's a thrilling journey of unravelling the complexities of the human psyche, set against a backdrop of intrigue and deception. Since we have been a part of the play and doing the theatre together, the three of us were in complete sync from Day 1.”

Sohini, who has been playing Diya on stage, will bring the character on the big screen. She added, “Playing Diya has been an exhilarating experience. She is a character of strength and vulnerability, and I believe audiences will connect with her journey on a deeply emotional level.”

This film will mark Arna’s debut as a feature film director. “Bringing Athhoi to life has been a labor of love. It's a story that resonates across generations, and we've endeavoured to infuse it with contemporary relevance while staying true to the essence of Shakespeare's vision,” he said.

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