Shyam Singha Roy

Shyam Singha Roy
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Rahul Sankrityan
Screenplay by	Rahul Sankrityan
Story by	Janga Satyadev
Produced by	Venkat Boyanapalli
Starring	Nani Sai Pallavi Krithi Shetty Madonna Sebastian
Cinematography	Sanu John Varghese
Edited by	Naveen Nooli
Music by	Mickey J. Meyer
Production company	Niharika Entertainment
Release date	24 December 2021 (2021-12-24)
Running time	157 minutes[1]
Country	India
Language	Telugu
Budget	₹50 crore[2]
Box office	est. ₹30.5 crore (3 days)[3]

Shyam Singha Roy is a 2021 Indian Telugu-language drama film^[4] directed by Rahul Sankrityan who co-wrote the film with Janga Satyadev. The film stars Nani in a dual role and Sai Pallavi with Krithi Shetty and Madonna Sebastian. It is partly set in the backdrop of Kolkata, based on the theme of reincarnation.^[5]

The film was announced in February 2020 and principal photography took place from December 2020 to July 2021 in Hyderabad and Kolkata. Production and release were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was theatrically released on 24 December 2021 and has received mixed to positive reviews, with praise for the performances of Nani & Pallavi, as well as the musical score, art work, film’s score, story, cinematography and visual effects, but criticised the film’s pace, screenplay and predictable climax.^[6]

Plot[]

Vasu is an aspiring film director in Hyderabad. To impress a film producer, he starts making a short film and selects Keerti, a psychology graduate to be the lead. Keerti agrees after some resistance, and they complete the shoot within a few days. The impressed producer greenlights Vasu's feature film. Vasu, however, suffers from a psychological disorder leading to ear bleeding that temporarily manifests him into a different personality as Shyam Singha Roy. One such instance when Vasu and Keerthy are engaged in an intimate session, Vasu unknowingly utters the name Rosie which angers Keerti. A year later, Vasu releases his film Uniki which turns out to be successful. Vasu is offered to remake the film in Hindi but when that is being announced at a press meet in Mumbai, Vasu is arrested on the charges of copyright infringement. A notable Kolkata-based publishing house SR publications alleges that Vasu copied their best-selling novel Astitva written by Shyam Singha Roy fifty years ago.

In the court, strong evidence is present against Vasu and Keerti's cousin Padmavathi takes up the case. Vasu pleads not guilty, and after a successful lie detection test, the court releases him on unconditional bail and gives them 3 days to present their case. On the suggestion of Keerti, Vasu undergoes clinical hypnosis where he reveals that he was Shyam Singha Roy and Rosie was his wife.

In West Bengal in 1969, Shyam Singha Roy is a revolutionary writer who comes from a conservative family. As his family disapproves of his methods, he decides to leave but stumbles upon Maithreyi, a devadasi from Bangladesh who performs dance at the temple during the Navaratri. Despite being an atheist, Shyam visits the temple every night to get a glimpse of Maithreyi. One night, he asks her to sneak out of the temple with him and she reluctantly agrees. Shyam and Maithreyi fall for each other, and Shyam renames Maithreyi as Rosie. They decide to elope, however, on that night, the temple's high priest Mahant who sexually preys on devadasis selects a young girl to which Rosie opposes. Mahant thrashes Rosie in anger, and disrespects by urinating on her. Knowing this, Shyam attacks Mahant in the temple. He punishes him by severing off his penis and throws him onto burning coal.

Shyam and Rosie move to Calcutta where he starts working in a printing press. By 1977, Shyam becomes an accomplished-yet-controversial writer of his time. On Rosie's suggestion, Shyam opens up a trust to rehabilitate devadasis. Shyam's brother Manoj Singha Roy requests him to visit their village to see their ailing elder brother. However, upon their arrival, his two elder brothers send Manoj Singha Roy to bring groceries for lunch and later murder Shyam Singha Roy for bringing disrepute to their family, marrying Rosie who is considered . Manoj arrives but he unable to save him and Shyam dies in front of him. The two elder brothers are killed in an accident a few years later and his children now run SR publications, Singha Roy's publishing house.

In the present, Vasu visits the printing press in Kolkata where Shyam worked. However, he is told that Shyam and Rosie died decades ago. Padmavathi submits Vasu's hypnosis report as evidence in the court that Shyam Singha Roy is reincarnated as Vasu. However, the prosecution lawyer objects stating reincarnation has no scientific evidence. While the court is about to give its judgment, the 85-year old Manoj Singha Roy visits the court and says Vasu is Shyam's reincarnation. Upon asking for proof, Manoj explains that Vasu adapted Shyam's short story Varna as his short film Varnam, but that story was never published into the public domain. Manoj submits Shyam's handrwritten manuscript of the story as the proof and withdraws the case as the chairman of SR publications. Vasu is acquitted of all charges.

Manoj then reveals to Vasu that Rosie is alive and waiting for him. Vasu then visits aged Rosie who dies peacefully in his arms thinking that he is Shyam Singha Roy, her husband.

Cast[]

• Nani in a dual role as Shyam Singha Roy, social activist and writer & Vasudev Ghanta, film director
• Sai Pallavi as Maithreyi, a Devadasi / Rosie a.k.a Rosie Singha Roy
• Krithi Shetty as Keerthi, Vasu's love interest
• Madonna Sebastian as Lawyer Padmavathi, Keerthi's cousin
• Jisshu Sengupta as Debendra Singha Roy
• Murali Sharma as Advocate Krishnamurthy
• Rahul Ravindran as Manoj Singha Roy
• Abhinav Gomatam as Pramod
• Manish Wadhwa as Mahant
• Leela Samson as Psychologist
• Subhalekha Sudhakar as Judge
• Anurag Kulkarni in a cameo appearance in the song "Pranavalaya"

Production[]

Development[]

On 18 December 2019, Rahul Sankrityan narrated a script to Nani, which was considered to be an "innovative story".^[7] The project was initially reported to be produced under Suryadevara Naga Vamsi's Sithara Entertainments banner, who initially worked with Nani in Jersey (2019).^[7] The film was announced in February 2020, with the title Shyam Singha Roy,^[8] and was expected to go on floors in May 2020,^[9] although the launch was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India.^[10] During March 2020, A. R. Rahman was approached to compose music for the film,^[11] and Nirav Shah was in charge of handling the cinematography.^[12] Later Anirudh Ravichander was announced as the composer as Rahman apparently did not accept the offer. The film was meant to be Anirudh's third collaboration with Nani after Jersey and Nani's Gang Leader.^[13]

The film was expected to be made on a huge scale, marking the most expensive film in Nani's career.^[14] However, producer Naga Vamsi wanted to cut down the budget citing the pandemic, as the estimated cost was much higher;^[15] Vamsi wanted to shelve the project, while Nani was completing the shoot of Tuck Jagadish. Due to differences of opinion between Nani and Vamsi, the production was handed over to Venkat Boyanapalli, who would be producing the film under his newly established banner Niharika Entertainment.^[16][17]

On 25 October 2020, a new poster was launched coinciding with Dusshera, with the inclusion of composer Mickey J. Meyer, cinematographer Sanu John Varghese and editor Naveen Nooli.^[18] Director Sankrityan revealed that the film is based on the theme of reincarnation^[19][20] and partially set against the backdrop of Kolkata.^[21]

Casting[]

Sai Pallavi, who also collaborated with Nani in Middle Class Abbayi, was cast in the film.^[22] It was reported that Rashmika Mandanna was approached for a lead role,^[23] although Krithi Shetty was finalized later.^[24][25] Madonna Sebastian was also confirmed as a lead, marking her come back to the Telugu cinema after Premam (2016).^[26] Murali Sharma, Abhinav Gomatam, and Rahul Ravindran were later included in the cast.^[27] In March 2021, Bengali actor Jisshu Sengupta was signed to play an important role in the film.^[28]

Filming[]

The film was launched at a private ceremony in Hyderabad on 11 December 2020,^[29] in the presence of the cast and crew,^[30] and Nani's father gave the muhurat shot for the film.^[31] Principal photography began on 21 December 2020 in Hyderabad, India.^[32][21] A Kolkata-themed street along with the Kalighat Kali Temple was constructed on a budget of ₹6 crores.^[33][34] In February 2021, the team began filming crucial scenes in Kolkata.^[35] Filming was briefly halted due to COVID-19 lockdown in India and was resumed in July 2021. The Kolkata set in Hyderabad was damaged due to heavy rains and was restored by art director Avinash Kolla.^[36] Filming was completed on 26 July 2021 and post-production began.^[37]

Music[]

The soundtrack album is composed by Mickey J. Meyer and the audio rights were acquired by Saregama Telugu.

Release[]

The film was originally scheduled for release on 24 December 2020, coinciding with Christmas,^[38] but was eventually postponed as filming was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The film was released on 24 December 2021. Dubbed versions in Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada languages were released along with Telugu version.

Reception[]

Critical response[]

The film received mixed to positive reviews from the critics, with particular praise for Sai Pallavi's & Nani's acting, story, production design, cinematography, film score & artwork.^[39][40] Sangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu opnied that "This isn’t to say that this is a sub par film. But with a little more thought, it could have been way smarter. Despite these niggles, there’s plenty going for Shyam Singha Roy".^[41] Giving a rating of 3.5 out of 5, Neeshita Nyayapati of The Times of India wrote: "Shyam Singha Roy might not have a story that’s completely out of the box but the staging does have the potential to bowl you over. Barring the underwhelming aspects, give this one a chance this weekend if you’re longing for something that’s well-made and backed by a stellar cast", appreciating the acting performances of Nani and Sai Pallavi, and the story.^[42] Calling it "engrossing", The News Minute's Sowmya Rajendran too gave a rating of 3.5 out of 5. She has praised the screenplay, story, direction and acting by the ensemble cast, commenting that "Sai Pallavi is the show-stealer, performing a role that's tailor-made for her".^[43]

Manoj Kumar R of The Indian Express called the film "a revolutionary romantic tale". He finally wrote: "To director-writer Rahul Sankrityan’s credit, the film’s hero lives and fights by the pen, instead of resorting to violence. The period portions of the film is a sight for sore eyes. The retro look of Nani and Sai Pallavi oozes charm. Pallavi’s classical dance performance draped in a red saree is a sight to behold. Just her presence on the screen elevates a scene to another level".^[44] Firstpost's Sankeertana Varma praised the technical department of the film stating: "Navin Nooli's editing, too, helps intertwine the two timelines to give the viewer a glimpse into Vasu's psyche—what he is seeing and how unclear it all is. Sanu John Varughese's cinematography and Kolla Avinash's production design shoulder the film as well. While Sanu's camera daftly manoeuvres between the two timelines—the way Sai Pallavi's introduction song is shot, choreographed, and cut needs special mention, Avinash's period detailing does transport the viewer to a time gone by".^[45] Writing for India Today, Janani K said that "Cinematographer Sanu John Varghese’s visuals, especially in the period portions, are exceptional. Music by Mickey J Meyer tugs at our heartstrings. Shyam Singha Roy could have been a taut and crisp story about reincarnation. Since it takes a familiar route, the overall effect takes a dip".^[46] Prakash Pecheti of Telangana Today felt that the film falls short of becoming a masterpiece. He further wrote: "‘Shyam Singha Roy’ would’ve been an engaging one if characters had some depth in establishing them. One might even think that a realistic approach might have fetched the story well".^[47]

References[]

External links[]

• Shyam Singha Roy (2021) at IMDb
• Shyam Singha Roy at Rotten Tomatoes
• Shyam Singha Roy on Twitter