New Delhi, Jan 19 (UNI) After reports of his purported intention to remake the films that were part of Satyajit Ray’s ‘Apu Trilogy’, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar on Saturday clarified that he had no intention to tamper any of the classics made by the master filmmaker.

In a post on social media, Bhandarkar said,’this is to clarify a lot of misinformation on the social media. Let me say that we are not remaking any of the films that were part of the Apu trilogy made by master filmmaker Satyajit Ray.

We are not touching the films made by Satyajit Ray. I am a big fan of the legendary filmmaker who helped Indian cinema reach global audiences. We are in no way tampering with the classics he made.’’

Bhandarkar said that the film that his production house Bhandarkar entertainment was presenting , named ‘Avijatrik’, is based on a novel written by Bibhutibhushan Bandhopadhyay on which Satyajit Ray’s ‘Apu Trilogy’ was based.

‘’Producer Gaurang Jalan has taken the rights of the book from late Mr Bandhopadhyay’s family. In ‘Avijatrik’, the Bengali filmmaker Shubhrajit Mitra is taking the story forward from where Ray sir left it .

The reason I decided to get associated with the project is its script and the passion of director Subhrajit Mitra with which he intends to make the film,’’Bhandarkar said.

Reports that Bhandarkar planned to take the Ray’s ‘Apu trilogy’ forward had evoked a lot of flak on the social media .

Reacting to the reports, filmmaker Pritish Nandy said,’’ My friend @imbhandarkar wants to take Satyajit Ray’s Apu trilogy ahead. My small request: Please spare Ray the ignominy. Let him be. He does not need anyone’s tribute. He is the greatest film maker we have ever had. Let’s notdespil his memory.’’

In another tweet, Nandy said,’’Yes, I do think its sacrilege for Bhandarkar to ape Ray and his Apu trilogy.’’

Endorsing Nandy’s views, actress Rini Chatterjee said,’’Oh I agree! There shouldn't and cannot be a tribute to something that's so perfect and has impacted generations of movie lovers!’’

Infact, a section of the netizens moved a petition to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to stop Bhandarkar from making the fourth Apu Trilogy film.

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