Jul. 20, 2018|India|122 Min.|R
Genre: Bangla;Comedy;Drama
Description: Happy Pill is a Bengali feature film released in 2018, featuring notable actors such as Ritwick Chakraborty, Parno Mittrah, Sohini Sarkar, and Mir Afsar Ali. Directed by Mainak Bhaumik and produced by Rupa Datta under Camellia Productions Pvt Ltd and RGB Lab, the film tells the story of a medical student who is forced to leave college due to unforeseen circumstances. He then starts a sweet shop, leading a mundane life until he claims to have discovered a formula for a pill that can bring happiness to people.
Originally slated for release on August 2, 2013, the film’s title translates to “War Cry of the Beggars” in Bengali. The plot revolves around two fictional groups in contemporary Bengal: the Fyataru, a group of flying humans, and the Choktor, a black magic Bhodi sect. The Choktor leader declares war against the ruling political party in West Bengal, India. The Fyataru join forces with the Choktor, guided by Calcutta’s ancient entities, such as the ageless talking crow Dandabayash and Begum Johnson, a colonial-era figure. Together, they initiate a rebellion, launching guerrilla attacks against the government, causing chaos with dancing skulls, flying objects, and rampant gossip among resident ghosts. The police are left in disarray.
Eventually, the government is compelled to surrender and propose peace to the rebel forces. The film, blending satire and fantasy, critiques various societal issues in the city with a sharp, anarchic tone. However, in February 2013, the Central Board of Film Certification denied approval for the film, citing excessive use of abusive language, sexual content, a frivolous portrayal of social movements, and a negative depiction of Joseph Stalin.
Cast director: Mainak Bhaumik
Cast actor: Ritwick Chakraborty, Parno Mittra, Mir Afsar Ali, Sohini Sarkar, Soumyajit Majumdar, Chandan Sen, Kaberi Mukherjee, Dolly Basu, Phalguni Chatterjee, Indrajit Mazumder
Original name: হ্যাপি পিল