Film-maker casts woman to portray Jesus Christ

FILM-MAKER Aneek Chaudhuri, whose White – a silent film on rape survivors – has been to various film festivals, is now looking to “shake up beliefs” with his next film, Cactus, in which he has cast a woman as Jesus Christ.

Cactus is in its production stage. Amrita Chattopadhyay, who started her journey into films with Anwar ka Ajab Kissa and has been seen in 3 Smoking Barrels, will portray Jesus Christ.

Chaudhuri said: “Here, we are dealing with symbolic elements; Amrita will not be conventionally dressed as Jesus but will represent a metaphor.

“Cactus would be the portrayal of death in its most beautiful form. And I am quite happy to have someone like Amrita in the cast.”

Amrita caught the director’s attention with her debut film appearance.

“It was an extraordinary leap for an actress who was into television. We have been in talks for the past few months and I was eagerly awaiting the release of 3 Smoking Barrels. The film made me convinced how versatile, but real an actor can be,” Chaudhuri said.

He described Cactus as “a surrealistic attempt in defining some of the established beliefs”.

“It focuses on the Bible, Mother Mary and the enlightenment of Jesus. I already know it is not open to many European festivals, but I needed to make this. I am looking to shake up beliefs with this film,” he said.

He aims to premiere the movie in international film festivals.