Grab your popcorn! Athhoi finally arrives on Hoichoi on 30th May, bringing the critically acclaimed Bengali adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello straight to your screens. This contemporary retelling has earned an impressive Digit Binge rating of 8.0, captivating viewers with its powerful storytelling and exceptional performances that breathe new life into the classic tragedy.
Previously performed on stage to wide acclaim, Athhoi features a stellar cast including Anirban Bhattacharya, Sohini Sarkar, and Ditipriya Roy. The film first hit theaters on June 14, 2024, and Bengali cinema lovers have been counting down the days until its digital release. If you're in the mood for some serious drama with a side of social commentary, this is definitely one to add to your watchlist.
What makes Athhoi particularly compelling is how it masterfully explores themes of jealousy, ambition, and love while staying true to Shakespeare's vision. The character of Dr. Athhoi Lodha represents a Dalit background, adding meaningful contemporary social dimensions to this classic tale of manipulation and tragic consequences. Director Arna Mukhopadhyay crafts a narrative that feels both timeless and urgently relevant to today's society.
Athhoi Premieres on Hoichoi with OTT Release
The wait is finally over. Bengali cinephiles can dive into Athhoi on Hoichoi starting 30th May, as the contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare's classic tragedy becomes available to viewers nationwide.
Where to Stream the Film
Looking to watch Athhoi? The film will be streaming exclusively on Hoichoi, the dedicated Bengali-language platform. You’ll need to download the Hoichoi app, available across various devices and operating systems. Don’t bother checking other services — JustWatch and Reelgood both confirm the film isn’t available anywhere else right now.
Hoichoi offers several ways to subscribe if you're ready to watch:
- Quarterly Plan @ ₹499 – 3-month subscription for viewers in India
- Annual Plan @ ₹999 – A more economical year-long plan
With over 175 Bengali web series spanning thrillers, romances, and comedies, Athhoi joins Hoichoi's impressive catalog of premium film content. A subscription gets you not just this film but access to their entire library of Bengali entertainment.
Release Timeline
The 30th May premiere sticks to Hoichoi’s previously announced schedule. They've listed the film among their May releases alongside other originals like Bhog (streaming from May 1st) and Kabuliwala (available from May 16th).
There was some confusion about the film’s digital availability initially. JustWatch noted they "couldn't find an offer for 'Athhoi' online" and suggested checking back later. Reelgood similarly indicated the film wasn’t yet available to stream, rent, or buy.
These listings simply reflected the film's pre-release status. Hoichoi has consistently maintained the 30th May release date throughout their promotional materials.
Cast and Crew Bring Shakespeare's Othello to Life
Talk about a dream team! Athhoi assembles a powerhouse cast that breathes fresh life into Shakespeare's timeless tragedy. These talented performers don't just recite lines—they completely inhabit these complex characters, adding remarkable depth to this modern retelling now streaming on Hoichoi.
The formidable Anirban Bhattacharya steals every scene as Gogo, the manipulative antagonist based on Shakespeare's Iago. His performance is a masterclass in calculated cunning as he methodically destroys Dr. Athhoi Lodha's life through psychological manipulation. What's fascinating is how Gogo's motivations stem from deep-seated prejudice and ambition rather than simple jealousy—Bhattacharya makes every twisted moment utterly believable.
Anupam Roy delivers a powerful performance as Dr. Athhoi Lodha, the Dalit protagonist whose life unravels through Gogo's schemes. Roy brilliantly reimagines Othello in a modern Bengali context, with his character's outsider status rooted in caste rather than race. The emotional journey from confident professional to jealous lover is devastating to watch.
The talented Sohini Sarkar shines as Diya (the Desdemona character), whose relationship with Athhoi becomes the focal point of Gogo's destructive plot. Her nuanced performance captures both strength and vulnerability as her character navigates love amid societal prejudice. Rounding out the main cast, Ditipriya Roy makes the most of her supporting role, contributing significantly to the narrative's emotional impact.
But what happens when theatrical talents step behind the camera? Magic, apparently. Beyond his scene-stealing performance, Anirban Bhattacharya served as the film's creative director, bringing his stage background to shape the adaptation's overall vision. His dual involvement infuses the project with cohesive artistic direction, especially in maintaining the psychological tension that makes Shakespeare's work so gripping.
Meanwhile, Arna Mukhopadhyay took the helm as director, translating this Shakespearean tragedy into contemporary Bengali cinema with remarkable skill. His direction focuses on the intricate character relationships while highlighting the social dimensions added to the original narrative. Mukhopadhyay's theatrical background clearly informed his cinematic approach, balancing stage traditions with film techniques to create something truly special.
What makes this adaptation particularly compelling is how it thoughtfully transposes Shakespeare's 16th-century Venetian setting to modern-day Bengal. Each character has been carefully recontextualized to reflect contemporary social dynamics:
- Athhoi (Othello) becomes a successful Dalit doctor facing caste prejudice
- Gogo (Iago) maintains his manipulative nature with motivations tied to modern social hierarchies
- Diya (Desdemona) represents a progressive woman who chooses love across social boundaries
- Mukul (Cassio) serves as Athhoi's trusted associate whose relationship with Diya becomes weaponized
Through these brilliant character adaptations, the film explores how Shakespeare's themes of jealousy, deception, and prejudice remain painfully relevant in contemporary society, particularly within India's caste dynamics. The trailer on SVF's YouTube channel offers tantalizing glimpses of these performances, but trust me—the full film delivers so much more.
Critics and Audiences React to Athhoi
The theatrical release of Athhoi set off a firestorm of debate among critics and viewers alike. Some loved it, some hated it, and everyone seemed to have an opinion about director Arna Mukhopadhyay's bold take on Shakespeare's classic tragedy.
Looking at the early reviews, it's fascinating to see how divided the critics were! Times of India handed out a modest 3 out of 5 stars, calling it "a stoic interpretation of the Shakespearean classic". Anandabazar Patrika was more generous with 7 out of 10 stars, particularly impressed by the "seasoned acting of the lead cast".
But the real cheerleader? Hindustan Times went all in with 4 out of 5 stars, specifically praising the "direction, cinematography, lighting color palette and fourth wall breaking". Meanwhile, The Telegraph took the opposite stance, criticizing what they saw as the "excessive presence" of certain characters. Talk about a mixed bag!
One thing nearly everyone agreed on was the film's technical brilliance:
- Soumik Haldar's cinematography was called "the best takeaway from the film" by multiple reviewers
- The musical score knocked it out of the park, especially that hauntingly beautiful Lalon song "Bod Hawa"
- Even critics who didn't love the story couldn't help but admire how the production design and color schemes perfectly captured the film's dark mood
When you're adapting Shakespeare in Indian cinema, comparisons to Vishal Bhardwaj's Omkara are pretty much inevitable. Interestingly, director Mukhopadhyay didn't shy away from these comparisons, openly stating: "I believe Omkara is among the best adaptations of Shakespeare's works, across the globe. It was magical". That's some serious humility right there!
The Telegraph couldn't resist pointing out that "for those looking for a Bengali adaptation of Othello, there's Ranjan Ghosh's Hrid Majhare which stands head and shoulders above". Ouch! Several critics also noted the influence of "the ghost of Mandar" (Anirban Bhattacharya's take on Macbeth) on Athhoi's style.
Despite these comparisons, many reviewers acknowledged this film as "a bold experiment in the Bengali film industry, considering how Bengali films are hardly experimental these days". And honestly, isn't that something worth celebrating?
When it comes to performances, Anirban Bhattacharya's Gogo (the Iago character) dominated discussions, though not everyone was thrilled about it. While many praised his work as "simply outstanding", others felt he hogged the spotlight at the expense of other characters.
The main criticisms boiled down to:
- Too much Gogo, not enough Athhoi
- Female characters portrayed as "meek and timid" (not cool in 2024!)
- A run time of 2 hours 40 minutes that tested some viewers' patience
- Shoehorning in contemporary social issues that distracted from Shakespeare's timeless themes
That said, Sohini Sarkar earned well-deserved praise for her "commendable performance" as Diya, and Ditipriya Roy made a surprising impact despite limited screen time. Sometimes less really is more!
The Soundtrack That Makes Athhoi Truly Unforgettable
Let's talk about the music of Athhoi for a minute – because honestly, it's one of those soundtracks that sticks with you long after the credits roll. The film's musical landscape works like emotional magic, perfectly enhancing those dark, jealousy-filled moments that make Shakespeare's story so timeless.
SVF Music dropped five distinct tracks for this adaptation, each one adding its own special flavor to the storytelling. "Bohu Bohu Din Pore" gives us that soft, sweet vibe with Durnibar Saha and Ikkshita Mukherjee's voices blending beautifully. Then there's "Mondo Hoye Jaa," performed by Amit Chatterjee and Madhupourna Ganguly, which hits differently during the film's more intense scenes.
Don't even get me started on "Ekta Bod Hawa" – that Lalon song performed by Titash Bhromor Sen bookends the entire film and wow, does it pack an emotional punch! The way it frames the story with its haunting melody is just chef's kiss. And here's a cool detail: many of the lyrics actually incorporate words from Shakespeare's original play. How's that for literary depth?
The soundtrack spans just 21 minutes total, but those minutes do some heavy lifting in the narrative. Critics have called the music "another high point" of the film, and I couldn't agree more. The background score especially deserves credit for underlining those darkest themes of jealousy and betrayal that drive the story forward.
At its heart, Athhoi is exploring that age-old tale of how love can quickly spiral into suspicion, betrayal, and ultimately death. The film brilliantly transposes Shakespeare's themes into a modern Indian context, with caste replacing race as the social divide that fuels the tragedy. Dr. Athhoi Lodha emerges as "a marvelous character: a leader, a political animal, an honorable man and a lover" whose downfall feels both inevitable and heartbreaking.
Some critics noted the film tries to incorporate contemporary global issues like climate change and conflicts in Rafah as reflections of Athhoi's deteriorating mental state – maybe a bit too much? These elements sometimes feel disconnected from the central jealousy narrative. But hey, when you're reimagining a 400-year-old play for modern audiences, you're allowed to take some creative swings!
Shakespeare Meets Modern Bengali Cinema
Athhoi stands as one of the boldest artistic endeavors in recent Bengali cinema. Through its adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, the film dives deep into timeless themes of jealousy, manipulation, and tragic consequences while placing them firmly in a modern social context. The decision to reimagine Othello as Dr. Athhoi Lodha from a Dalit background isn't just clever – it's transformative, allowing the narrative to examine caste dynamics alongside Shakespeare's exploration of human frailty.
Despite mixed critical reception, you can't help but appreciate the film's technical achievements. The cinematography creates a moody atmosphere, while the haunting musical score perfectly enhances the emotional weight of this tragedy. Anirban Bhattacharya pulls double duty as both creative director and actor (playing the manipulative Gogo), showing remarkable artistic vision, though some critics felt his character steals too much spotlight from others.
The talented ensemble brings these complex characters to life in ways that feel both authentic to Shakespeare and completely of our time. Sohini Sarkar and Ditipriya Roy deliver particularly moving performances, while Anupam Roy captures the troubled protagonist's downward spiral with heartbreaking precision. The soundtrack weaves together original compositions with traditional elements, including the beautiful Lalon song "Ekta Bod Hawa" that frames the entire story.
While comparisons to other Shakespeare adaptations like Omkara are inevitable, Athhoi carves its own identity through its distinctly Bengali perspective and contemporary commentary. The film reminds us how jealousy destroys love, regardless of time or cultural context – proving yet again the enduring relevance of Shakespeare's insights into human psychology.
Ready to see for yourself what all the buzz is about? You can stream Athhoi exclusively on Hoichoi starting May 30, 2025. Before watching, check out the official trailer on SVF's YouTube channel for a glimpse of the powerful performances and striking visual style that have critics and audiences talking. Few adaptations have sparked such intense debate about Shakespeare's characters in a modern Indian context – and that alone makes this film worth your time.
