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Chowringhee author Shankar wishes Srijit Mukherji for Shah Jahan Regency

The author joked that the luck of Chowringhee lies in the holders of the Mukherjee title.

Srijit Mukherji’s upcoming film Shah Jahan Regency is all set to be released on Friday. The film has been adapted from Mani Shankar Mukherjee’s bestselling novel Chowringhee, which has been translated into more than 20 languages.

An exemplary adaptation of Chowringhee was the 1968 film of the same name directed by Pinaki Bhushan Mukherjee.

Before writing the novel, Shankar had only written Koto Ajanare and was ridiculed as a one-book author. To get rid of the tag, he decided to write another novel.

One rainy evening, Shankar reportedly came across the poem by Francis Quarles that has been used by Srijit Mukherji in the film’s trailer.

The poem inspired the author while, at the same time, the big hotel across the Chowringhee More ignited the fire in him to write a novel set in it.

“I am grateful that my novel has been adapted to film twice, apart from stage productions,” Shankar said. “I did not give myself any credit when the previous film was made. This time I also want to see who receives the credit for the story, I or Srijit or both.”

The author also joked that the luck of Chowringhee lies in the holders of the title Mukherjee. “My daughter reminded me that much like me and Pinaki Bhushan, Srijit is also a Mukherji. Anyway, I wish him all the best and want the audience to say that whatever rubbish the author may have written, Srijit has polished it and made it presentable,” the veteran said.