On December 3rd, Ashutosh Gorwariker’s period film Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey will release in theaters. Starring Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone, the film is based on the book DO and DIE: The Chittagong Uprising 1930-34 by Manini Chatterjee. Read on to find more about the story and to meet the characters who make up the world of KHJJS.
Plot
1930, British India: In the province of undivided Bengal lies the sleepy, peaceful port of Chittagong. In this unassuming little town a revolution is about to begin; a revolution which will forever wake all of Chittagong and inspire the entire nation.
April 18. 1 night. 5 simultaneous attacks. A band of 64 – 56 innocent yet fearless young boys, 5 defiant revolutionaries, 2 determined young women, and an idealistic leader – Surjya Sen, a school teacher by profession.
This group of 64 represents a little-known chapter in history; a forgotten night that reigned terror on the British through a series of calculated attacks. Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is a true story of these forgotten heroes and the narrative takes us through every step of the action from the initial trepidation, to the thrill of the attack, to the underground movement, daring escapes and tragic captures, and most importantly, their undying legacy.
Character Sketch
Surjya Sen
A school teacher by profession, Surjya was the leader of the band of 64 revolutionaries and planned the 18th April, 1930 attack on the British in Chittagong.
Kalpana Dutta
The daughter of an extremely rich and influential landowner, Kalpana was fiercely independent and highly educated for a woman of that era, and had an interest in the science of bomb-making.
Nirmal Sen
One of Surjya’s closest friends, Nirmal was a passionate revolutionary who had already been sent to jail once prior to the Chittagong attack.
Pritilata Waddedar
Pritilata was Kalpana’s best friend and although she was as passionate about the cause as Kalpana, she was more intense and impulsive. She is responsible for the Pahartali Club attack.
Ambika Chakraborti
The most senior and experienced of the group, Ambika was responsible for finance and procurement.
Anant Singh
he only non-Bengali in the group, Anant is a fiery, slightly flamboyant Punjabi who is a combination of physical strength and intelligence.
Ganesh Ghosh
His physical presence itself is dominating and he is by far the strongest and fittest of the entire group; a master of hand-to-hand combat as well as a weapons expert.
Lokenath Bal
Sophisticated and suave, he was often mistaken for an Englishman and that is what he used to his advantage on the fateful night of 18th April as he infiltrated the British Cantonment posing as a British officer.
Haripada Bhattacharjee
He was one of Surjya Sen’s students in school and hence has a deep admiration and respect for him. He is witty and loves a good laugh but is equally passionate about the cause.
Bidhu
Another of Surjya Sen’s students, he is also Haripada’s best friend. Bright and well read, he too has a deep admiration for Masterda.
Jibon Ghoshal
Born to one of the richest families in Chittagong, he had a very sheltered and protected upbringing. During the training he finds himself becoming closest to Ganesh.
Rajat Sen
Rajat’s father was one of the biggest lawyers in the district. His mother was a patriot who supported his joining the revolution. Bold, strong and aggressive, he had a deep and intense anger towards the injustice perpetrated by the British.
Naresh Ray
Naresh was an orphan and hence his friends meant the world to him. He has a deep admiration for Nirmal Sen and is extremely eager to please and take on any task assigned.
Ananda Gupta
Ananda was slightly older than the rest of the teenagers. He is calm, patient and thoughtful. His parents trust him and his younger brother, and Ananda is perhaps the most mature of the teens.
Deba Gupta
Ananda Gupta’s younger brother is far more aggressive and impatient and is determined to the point of being cocky.
Himangshu Sen
Everyone discovers him to be an excellent marksman. He is quiet, brooding and intense.
Tegra Bal
Being Lokenath’s younger brother, he grew up with not only a revolutionary brother, but also a martyred father and a patriotic mother. He admires his brother deeply and wishes to follow in his footsteps.
Fakir Sen
His parents are fisher-folks and he is poorer than most of his friends. He is honest, loyal and dedicated, determined to do whatever it takes to help the revolution.
Jhunku (Subodh) Roy
Jhunku (Subodh) Roy. Jhunku belonged to a wealthy Zamindari family. At 13, he is the youngest of the teens and is filled with curiosity and innocence. Jhunku always has a question or comment about everything.
