Mumbai, February 27 Actress Swastika Mukherjee, who will be playing the role of a mother in the upcoming film ‘Chheledhora’, has said that the film is about finding strength in the most vulnerable moments.
The film is an Indo-American production and is set to begin shooting on March 1. Directed by Shieladitya Moulik, the film will be shot in the unexplored locations of Itanagar and Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh.
Speaking about the film, Swastika said, “Brishti is not an easy woman to like, and that’s what drew me to her. She is impulsive, wounded, and deeply flawed, but her love for her daughter is instinctive and fierce. I was drawn to her vulnerability, the way this unexpected journey forces her to confront herself. At its heart, this is a very tender story about motherhood, forgiveness, and finding strength in the most vulnerable moments.”
‘Chheledhora’ tells the story of Brishti, a divorced, deeply flawed, and misunderstood woman played by Mukherjee, who impulsively "kidnaps" her daughter for a birthday celebration, only to find that the child has been abducted for real. Brishti must resolve the situation, but takes an unconventional approach due to unforeseen circumstances, which forces her on a life-altering journey where self-absorbed parents are confronted with their own shortcomings as caregivers.
The film blends emotional family drama with thriller elements and dark humor, positioning itself as a rare Bengali-language road movie anchored by a morally complex female protagonist.
Shieladitya Moulik said, “‘Chheledhora’ is a story about broken parents discovering the courage and selflessness they didn’t know they possessed. I am deeply interested in flawed people who are still capable of love. This film may unfold like a road journey with unexpected twists and turns, but at its heart, it’s about healing, about how children, often unknowingly, become the moral compass for adults. It’s a very intimate story about second chances and rediscovering one’s humanity.”
He added, “I’m really excited to shoot in Arunachal Pradesh. It is not just picturesque but a hub for talented actors and technicians. We have as many as 14 cast and crew members from the region. While Arunachal Pradesh is the heart of our film, we have stretched the canvas with an Indo-American production, an Italian cinematographer Vincenzo Condorelli, and a strategic international festival run plan.”
Produced by Handyyman and Sita22 Films, ‘Chheledhora’ marks a notable Indo-American collaboration.