Konttho

A story of friendship, a story of struggle-KONTTHO is about the indomitable human spirit. Arjun Mallick is a popular RJ who is not only famous but well-loved. His listeners connect with him personally and his voice is music to their ears. Soon he receives a prestigious "Voice of The Year" award and with a loving wife and son, Arjun's life seems full of happiness. But before long, his perfect life comes to an absolute halt when he is diagnosed with Laryngeal Cancer. The doctors had to perform Laryngectonomy to save Arjun's life. Arjun's whole life comes crashing down. He feels distanced from everybody. However as destiny would have it, he is introduced to Romila, a speech therapist. A vibrant character in her own self, Romila, is a divorcee who with her daughter, Saheli is all set to return to her country, Bangladesh. However, circumstances make her accept Arjun as her patient. With Romila's help, Arjun turns around and accepts all the challenges thrown at him by her to learn how to speak again normally.

Over the course of his therapy, Romila gives him daunting challenges to make him use his own voice rather than relying on signs and writings. He gives his first slang in his new voice during a heated conversation with a taxi driver. He learns to speak with Oesophageal voice. He cannot speak but improvises himself. This is the story of struggle of a cancer patient and his undaunted human spirit. He then takes up the job of a RJ with Laryngeal cancer and the show is a success.

• Shiboprosad Mukherjee as Arjun Mallik
• Paoli Dam as Pritha Mallik
• Jaya Ahsan as Romilla Chowdhury
• Koneenica Banerjee as Indrani
• Chitra Sen as Pishima
• Jimmy Tangree as Manoj
• Paran Bandopadhyay as laryngectomy patient
• Tanima Sen as patient’s wife
• Barun Chanda as himself
• Usha Uthup as herself
• Biplab Dasgupta as Arjun’s doctor
• Abhijit Banerjee as laryngectomy patient
• Anantha Krishnan as laryngectomy patient
• Ujjwal Sinha as laryngectomy patient
• Bijoy Sadhukhan as laryngectomy patient
• Shyamal Munsi as laryngectomy patient
• Surendranath Karmakar as laryngectomy patient
• Sukumar Mazumder as laryngectomy patient
• Prosenjit Dutta as laryngectomy patient
• Ranjit Roy as laryngectomy patient

Konttho is inspired by Bibhuti Bhushan Chakraborty who has lived to tell a tale of trauma and triumph, having defied nature’s law and has just refused to be silenced, despite the loss of his voice box. Chakraborty was detected with cancer of the larynx in 1972.

Two years later, he went under the knife for the elimination of his voice box. The railway officer was “dumbfounded” when doctors told him he would never speak again, but he declined to give up without combat. So, he learnt the technique of developing a speech of his own with the muscles of his food pipe. Medical science terms it as “oesophageal speech”. After months of practice, he perfected the technique and started with sounds, simple phonetic ones, to begin with, followed by a combination of words and then short sentences and in no time Chakraborty started participating in conversations, leaving cancer specialists stunned. He was soon approached by experts at the Thakurpukur cancer hospital to teach fellow-patients the art of speech after voice-box surgery.

The director duo Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee was approached by Bhibhuti Bhusan Chakraborty in 1999-2000 on sets of a television programme, Aloy Phera, which featured people who had battled personal or professional adversities and requested them to make a film on his life. To depict such a deep rooted subject on screen required a lot of research as a result the director duo  took 18 yrs to develop the script and the concept. Talented director Nandita Roy has written the story and the screenplay. Having directed, acted and penned the dialogues for Konttho, Shiboprosad Mukherjee was an integral part of the project right from its genesis.

Being a narrative about a cancer survivor, most would expect grim, dark, sorrowful stories, but Roy and Mukherjee inculcate their signature style, adding a dash of humour and a ray of hope at the end of the film. Arjun's portrayal, both Roy and Mukherjee insisted was a mere reflection of the optimism they witnessed while researching for the film. Arjun's entire journey post laryngectomy is depicted in excruciating detail; to a point where audiences are bound to congratulate the makers on their effort to stay authentic.

Several visits to doctors and speech pathologists, along with personal interactions with families of survivors, provided level grounds for the creative team to step in and build a heart-warming story. The shots were planned after the reference and guidance received from the speech therapist. The actors of the films had to attend rigorous training sessions for months with Mr. Somnath Mukherjee, a speech therapist from Speech Plus.  Dr. Sourav Dutta, Dr. Arjun Dasgupta, and Dr. Arnab Gupta were associated with the project. All the performers who have portrayed the central roles had a personal guide

The director and also the central character of the movie Shiboprosad had to do a detailed research to outline the crux of the character and the story. The actor had met several laryngectomy patients to comprehend their sufferings and emotions, he had interacted with the doctors and the speech therapists to understand the technique of the treatment. He had attended frequent workshops to learn the art of speaking with oesophageal voice.

Jaya Ahsan who played the role of Romila was so enthralled with the story and the character offered to her that she primed herself beforehand. She impressed the director duo in their very first meeting by speaking comfortably in the oesophageal voice and got selected for the character. The script was so detailed that it had helped her with the basics and besides that she had done detailed research for the role. Jaya’s guide was Mr. Somnath Mukherjee, speech therapist. He used to teach and groom her regularly for the role.

Paoli Dam inspite of being veteran and potent entertainer had attended laborious workshops and had interacted with the patients and their family to comprehend the mind-set and the sentiments of the family members.

Both the child artists Srijoni Mukhopadhyay and Ishit Saha also had attended workshops to understand the crux of the emotions.

Speech therapists play an important role in laryngeal cancer patients’ life as they are the ones who help them assess and treat a wide range of speech, swallowing and communication difficulties. Speech therapist Mr. Somnath Mukherjee and ENT specialist Dr. Arjun Dasgupta have helped the directors develop the story.

Konttho’ is a film which celebrates hope and fragility of life while dealing with the subject of cancer. The film was associated with many big and prestigious brands as follows:

• Tata Memorial Hospital
• Narayana Superspeciality Hospital
• Speech Plus
• Adani Wilmar Ltd
• Priyo Gopal Bishoyee
• Ola
• Spicejet
• 91.9 Friends FM
• Ei Samay
• Continental Catering Services
• Mio Amore

The movie was released on 10th May 2019 and was premiered in Nandan. The movie was released in various halls and multiplexes throughout the city, this film instantly struck the right chord of the audience and became a runaway hit. The movie was houseful in theatres for 100 consecutive days and is still considered the as one of the biggest blockbuster s of the year 2019 and was highly praised by the critics. The movie was released in 25 cities in USA and was also a runaway hit in Bangladesh where it has a run of 25 consecutive days. Konttho was being distributed in Bangladesh under the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreement. Impress Telefilm Limited was the film’s distributor in Bangladesh. The film was screened throughout the nation. In Kolkata, a special show was held for Laryngectomy patients. Renowned actor Naseeruddin Shah has also attended an interactive session before a special screening of Konttho in Tata Memorial hospital, Mumbai. The film was also screened in B.M Barooah hospital in Guwahati. A special screening was organized by South Point High School for their teachers and students in Navina Hall, Kolkata right on the release day. The digital premier of the movie took place film on OTT platforms like Hoi Choi and Hotstar. The television premiere of the movie took place in Star Jalsha.

'Konttho' was hailed from all quarters for its immaculate execution and heart-warming concept. The film was highly critically acclaimed and commercially successful. Film Companion complemented Konttho as a brave attempt undone by its verbosity. The Statesman complimented Konttho as a story laced with warmth and hope.

Renowned medical practitioner Dr. Devi Shetty attended the screening in Bangalore and he was in his tears by the end of it. He has complimented the makers by saying that they have created a history in a fine way and have also recommended the screening of the movie in Narayana and Tata Medical Centre. The movie was highly applauded by cancer patients and their families in various hospitals throughout the country.

The music of the film was directed and composed by Anindya Chatterjee, Anupam Roy and Prasen. The background score was given by Prabudha Banerjee. The music of the film has all the flavours in it. The song "Bornoporichoy" has wonderful lyrics penned by none other than Anindya Chatterjee. He has also composed and sung the song along with Prashmita Paul as the female voice. Another song "Shobai Chup" is a soul-stirring love ballad. The beautifully penned lyrics by Dipangshu Acharya paints a surreal picture of love.

The soothing composition of this romantic number is done by Prasen and the heart-warming track comes to life in the melodious voice of Sahana Bajpaie. A soul-stirring number “Alote Alote Dhaka” sung by Anupam Roy from the Bengali movie “Konttho” - beautifully brings a soul from darkness to light, motivates to fight against all odds, and inspires one to grow beyond pain. The lyrics and the vocal have been given by the Anupam himself. "Obak Jole" an unique creation by singer, lyricist and composer Prasen is a peppy number that portrays a celebration of success, life, friendship, and togetherness! The movie ended with a recitation of “Bidrohi” by Shiboprosad Mukherjee, a tribute to Nazrul Islam still gives goosebumps. The music of the film was a raging hit right from the inception and still racking the chartbusters.

Konttho Voice Club is a first ever laryngectomy club in Kolkata founded by a non-profit voluntary group in association with Narayana Healthcare named after the film Konttho. The club was formed on the 28^th May, 2019 and was inaugurated by Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee. The purpose of this group is to assist the local member clubs in their efforts towards the total rehabilitation of the laryngectomy patients, empower them and also carry forward a social responsibility to create awareness about the ill-effects of tobacco.

Arjun, the main protagonist used to wear a scarf around his neck – a symbol that the Laryngectomy patients have adopted throughout a longer period of time. Earlier Larengectomy patients were not very acceptable in the society because of the scar and hollow space on their throat which makes them appear scary and daunting to a certain extent. In order to hide it, the patients adopted the style of wearing a scarf.  This scarf became a fashion statement for the entire laryngectomy patient community which has not only boosted up their confidence but also made them socially acceptable.  ‘Konttho’ is not a film that depicts the depression or agony; it is such a film that paves the path for positivity and acceptance.

• Konttho on IMDb
• Review, Times of India. "TOI Review".
• Review, Ananda Bazaar Patrika. "Ananda Plus".