Charak: Fair of Faith Team Promotes in Kolkata Amid Protest

Kolkata – The team behind the upcoming folklore thriller Charak: Fair of Faith arrived in the city on 5 March 2026 for a key promotional stop, just one day before its nationwide theatrical release on 6 March. Backed by filmmaker Sudipto Sen—known for The Kerala Story—and directed by Shieladitya Moulik, the film has generated considerable anticipation following its recent trailer launch, which delves into the unsettling undercurrents of superstition, occult practices, and the thin line between devotion and extremism rooted in the traditional Charak festival.

The Kolkata visit included a press conference attended by producer Sudipto Sen, actor Subrat Dutta, and music director Bishakh Jyoti. The team engaged with local media, digital influencers, and film enthusiasts, emphasising the film’s extensive research into eastern India’s folklore traditions and its aim to spark thoughtful dialogue on faith and societal extremes. Sen described the project as a human story drawn from real observations rather than provocation, while cast members highlighted the narrative’s intensity and cultural depth.

The film features a strong ensemble including Anjali Patil, Sahidur Rahaman, Subrat Dutta, Shashi Bhushan, Nalneesh Neel, Shankhadeep, and Shounak Shyamal. Presented by PEN Studios under Dr. Jayantilal Gada, it is produced by Dhaval Jayantilal Gada and Sipping Tea Cinemas in association with Sudipto Sen Productions, with Rajesh Bhatt as associate producer.

Kolkata’s cultural resonance with the Charak Puja—a folk festival observed in parts of Bengal and eastern India involving intense rituals—made the city a strategic promotional hub. The team underscored how the story draws from authentic folklore while questioning dangerous interpretations of blind faith, including alleged extreme practices documented through fieldwork.

However, the promotional momentum was overshadowed by a protest in central Kolkata, where demonstrators blackened film posters. Protesters expressed outrage over what they described as a negative portrayal of the Charak festival, arguing that it misrepresents the tradition’s essence, hurts community sentiments, and unfairly highlights fringe or distorted practices instead of the festival’s devotional aspects.

The demonstration reflects broader sensitivities around cinematic depictions of cultural and religious traditions, especially in regions where such festivals hold deep significance. Similar concerns have surfaced earlier in the film’s journey, including certification challenges from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which referred the project to a review committee over content involving alleged ritualistic extremes.

Sen has consistently maintained that the film presents documented realities rather than fiction designed to offend, positioning it as an exploration of human stories and societal truths. The trailer, released in late February 2026, depicts a community preparing for the Charak mela as a source of hope, only for escalating rituals to reveal darker consequences—prompting questions about fanaticism versus genuine belief.

As the release date approaches, the Kolkata events have amplified both excitement and debate. For audiences in eastern India, where Charak Puja remains a living tradition, the film arrives at a moment of heightened scrutiny over how cinema handles heritage subjects. Whether the controversy translates into box-office curiosity or broader conversations on faith and superstition remains to be seen.

With its blend of suspenseful storytelling and cultural commentary, Charak: Fair of Faith enters theatres amid a charged atmosphere—poised to test the balance between artistic expression and community sensitivities in contemporary Indian cinema.