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EXCLUSIVE: Bengali Feature Film On Mohun Bagan’s 1911 IFA Shield Triumph Set To Release On 27th August
Historic triumph set to get some recognition on the big screen…
27-Jul-2010 2:20:00 AM
By Amoy Ghoshal
It’s almost 100 years since Mohun Bagan created history by becoming the first Indian club to win the IFA Shield after beating East Yorkshire Regiment in the final.
The victory was more significant off the pitch as it aroused nationalistic pride because at least in one sphere of life the British were beaten by the Indians.
That achievement has never been recognized the way it should have been but a Bengali feature film based on the historic triumph is set to give it some deserved publicity.
Named ‘Egaro’ (The Eleven), the film is set to release on August 27th and will also have an official music release on July 29th, the day Mohun Bagan won the IFA Shield back in 1911.
Goal.com caught up with the director of the movie, Mr. Arun Ray to know more about the film. This is actually Mr. Ray’s first feature film and clearly he is very excited about it.
Speaking to Goal.com he said, “I have directed soaps and documentaries before but for the first time I am directing a feature film. I always wanted to start off with a fresh topic and the 1911 triumph of Mohun Bagan is not only a fresh subject but also a special one.
“Being a Bengali I have naturally been exposed to football all my life but honestly I have never followed it passionately. However every member of my family is an East Bengal fan so I grew up supporting them but Mohun Bagan always had a special place in my heart solely because of the IFA Shield triumph in 1911.
“I didn’t know too many details about the achievement until I started researching for the film. It was truly a remarkable feat and I am hopeful that it would finally get it's due recognition after the release of this movie.
“This is also the first film of this production house (Magic Our Entertainment) so everyone is very excited now that the film is ready and set for release.”
Mr. Ray then explained the challenges he faced in making this film and also gave some details about the film itself.
“Initially I struggled to convince financers about the film because it does not have the elements of commercial Bengali cinema. They did not like the idea that there will be no star names.
“So it took us time to find the right people to bear the expenses of the production and after one and a half years our script was finally ready.
“The length of the film is two hours and about half an hour includes the football portion. We depict scenes from the semi-final and give almost a complete description of the final.”
Mr. Ray also talked about the support he had received from the Mohun Bagan club in completing this film and looked back on the shooting of the football scenes.
“Mohun Bagan club helped us in the research and senior club officials like Anjan Mitra and Debashish Dutta also visited us during shooting to give encouragement.
“Also footballers like Jose Ramirez Barreto and Rakesh Masih also gave us their moral support by showing up at shooting spots.
“Shooting the football scenes were a big challenge because it was done during the month of April when temperatures were between 35 and 40 here in Kolkata but all the actors worked really hard and made it happen.”
Mr. Ray signed off by stating how this film would help to spread awareness about the historic achievement.
“The film doesn’t have any prominent Bengali star but the subject itself is legendary. Almost all the actors are newcomers but the topic is definitely close to the hearts of every Bengali and it should be special for any Indian football follower also.
“Personally as I said earlier I am not a passionate football follower so the aim wasn’t actually to portray the football aspect of the story. But the film will certainly make more people aware about this historic feat and also prove that glamour doesn’t always have to be a part of contemporary cinema.”
The victory was more significant off the pitch as it aroused nationalistic pride because at least in one sphere of life the British were beaten by the Indians.
That achievement has never been recognized the way it should have been but a Bengali feature film based on the historic triumph is set to give it some deserved publicity.
Named ‘Egaro’ (The Eleven), the film is set to release on August 27th and will also have an official music release on July 29th, the day Mohun Bagan won the IFA Shield back in 1911.
Goal.com caught up with the director of the movie, Mr. Arun Ray to know more about the film. This is actually Mr. Ray’s first feature film and clearly he is very excited about it.
Speaking to Goal.com he said, “I have directed soaps and documentaries before but for the first time I am directing a feature film. I always wanted to start off with a fresh topic and the 1911 triumph of Mohun Bagan is not only a fresh subject but also a special one.
“Being a Bengali I have naturally been exposed to football all my life but honestly I have never followed it passionately. However every member of my family is an East Bengal fan so I grew up supporting them but Mohun Bagan always had a special place in my heart solely because of the IFA Shield triumph in 1911.
“I didn’t know too many details about the achievement until I started researching for the film. It was truly a remarkable feat and I am hopeful that it would finally get it's due recognition after the release of this movie.
“This is also the first film of this production house (Magic Our Entertainment) so everyone is very excited now that the film is ready and set for release.”
Mr. Ray then explained the challenges he faced in making this film and also gave some details about the film itself.
“Initially I struggled to convince financers about the film because it does not have the elements of commercial Bengali cinema. They did not like the idea that there will be no star names.
“So it took us time to find the right people to bear the expenses of the production and after one and a half years our script was finally ready.
“The length of the film is two hours and about half an hour includes the football portion. We depict scenes from the semi-final and give almost a complete description of the final.”
Mr. Ray also talked about the support he had received from the Mohun Bagan club in completing this film and looked back on the shooting of the football scenes.
“Mohun Bagan club helped us in the research and senior club officials like Anjan Mitra and Debashish Dutta also visited us during shooting to give encouragement.
“Also footballers like Jose Ramirez Barreto and Rakesh Masih also gave us their moral support by showing up at shooting spots.
“Shooting the football scenes were a big challenge because it was done during the month of April when temperatures were between 35 and 40 here in Kolkata but all the actors worked really hard and made it happen.”
Mr. Ray signed off by stating how this film would help to spread awareness about the historic achievement.
“The film doesn’t have any prominent Bengali star but the subject itself is legendary. Almost all the actors are newcomers but the topic is definitely close to the hearts of every Bengali and it should be special for any Indian football follower also.
“Personally as I said earlier I am not a passionate football follower so the aim wasn’t actually to portray the football aspect of the story. But the film will certainly make more people aware about this historic feat and also prove that glamour doesn’t always have to be a part of contemporary cinema.”
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