Kolkata: Professor Shonku, the fictional scientist of Satyajit Ray's eponymous books for children, will now demonstrate his exploits to the global audience on screen under the direction of Sandip Ray, the film maestro's son.
The absent-minded scientist is a universal favourite among children in Bengal and elsewhere like Ray's other famous creation, detective Feluda, on whom several films have been made -- both by the maestro himself and his son.
But it will be the first time a film on Professor Shonku will be made. In fact, the little ones often engage in a debate over who is greater - Feluda or Professor Shonku.
In both camps, there are die-hard followers.
"Like countless readers cutting across age, I am also an avid Professor Shonku fan. I remember I used to eagerly wait for the next installment of the science wizard's book which was being serialized then in a children's magazine," Sandip recalls.
The film, which is expected to be taken up by 2012, will be made in English as the character is a globe-trotter rushing to far corners of the world either to solve riddles or interact with his colleagues.
Sandip says only an actor with an international outlook can do justice to the character of Professor Shonku.
And not only that, he has to match his physical attributes like short height, balding pate and slouching frame.
"You can arrange his glasses, but the whole persona will have to resemble an elderly, academic-looking, short statured Bengali as portrayed by my father. He cannot be a hero-looking guy, but will have to be talented enough to fit the bill. Not a very easy job afterall," says Sandip.
Selecting actors for two of Professor Shonku's all-weather companions -- the naive neighbour of the Giridih house, Abinashbabu, and servant, Prahlad, besides other characters would not be half as difficult, he says.
The director intends to begin with Unicorn Rahasya (expedition to Unicorn). "It will not be an entirely sci-fi film, but will have lots of story elements involving grey cells," the director, who has already made a name for himself in the film world, says.
Some of Professor Shonku's greatest discoveries like the annihilator (the gun which annihilates any living object), the pop-up pill to fight hunger, the anti-gravitational tool and numerous other objects would be incorporated in the film as demanded by the script and story line.
The books on Professor Shonku included Byomjatrir Diary (in Sandesh magazine) published in 1961. It was followed by Professor Shonku o Harh (in Sandesh, Professor Shonku o Macaw (in Sandesh,), Professor Shonku o Egyptio Aatonko (Egyptian terror) in Sandesh, Professor Shonku o Chi Ching and others including Unicorn adventure.
Sandip, who is now busy directing a thriller based on his own story, a sizeable part of which has already been shot in Malaysia, also has plans to direct another film on Feluda Jato Kando Kathmandute (All the actions in Kathmandu).
"This will be my third Feluda film for big screen starring Sabyasachi Chakraborty as the main protagonist shooting for which can begin next year," he said adding he plans to direct one Feluda film every alternate year till Sabyasachi needs a replacement.
He said this was his way of paying tribute to his legendary father, who had himself directed two Feluda films Sonar Kella (Golden Fort) and Jai Baba Felunath in the late 70s and 80s.
In between directing these movies he will be working on films based on his own stories.
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