The film follows the titular twelve members of a jury as they deliberate a supposedly clear-cut murder trial, and details the tension among them when one juror argues that the defendant might not be guilty. The film is named after the line "Ashole Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei" from the song "Ei Srabon", written and composed by Anupam Roy. Principal photography commenced in June 2024 and wrapped in July 2024,[6] being one of the shortest shot Bengali films. Amit Chatterjee composed its soundtrack, while Subhadeep Guha provided the background score. The cinematography and editing of the film are handled by Prosenjit Chowdhury and Sanglap Bhowmik respectively.
Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei theatrically released on 23 January 2025, coinciding with Netaji Jayanti, opening to positive reviews.[7] The film is considered to be one of Mukherji's best works, with critics appreciating the performances by the whole cast, runtime, characterization and the thrill used in the screenplay.[8]
Srijit Mukherji was actively involved with the English professional theatre circuit in Delhi and Bengaluru besides working as an economist and statistician.[9] Thus in 2006, Srijit Mukherji had adapted Twelve Angry Men, naming as Mindgame,[10] which was also directed by himself at Alliance Française De Bangalore the same year. After making his directorial debut with Autograph in 2010, he had planned to make a film on it. Anjan Dutt and Rituparno Ghosh were his first choice to play two of the major characters, with Chiranjeet Chakraborty, Swastika Mukherjee, Roopa Ganguly, Rudranil Ghosh, Sujan Neel Mukherjee and Kanchan Mullick being in another major roles.[11] In 2012, he revealed the title of the film imagined as Dozen in an interview to The Telegraph on the promotion of his film Hemlock Society.[12][13] It was to go on floors in December 2013, but got shelved because of Ghosh's death in May 2013. According to Mukherji, it was difficult to cast any other actor to replace Ghosh in that character, as it was originally written keeping Ghosh in mind.[14] He also disagreed to bring some changes in the characteristics as it had a special impact in its story. On the other hand, Ghosh also was to star in Mukherji's another venture Chotushkone (2014) in a specific role, which was later finalized having Parambrata Chatterjee as Ghosh's replacement.[15][16]
In December 2023, it was reported that Mukherji was reworking on the shelved project entitled as Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei.[17][18] It was officially announced in February 2024, under the production of Shree Venkatesh Films.[19][20] The muharat of the film held on 4 March 2024, where Mukherji considered the film to be his dream project.[21][22]
"Issues which have snowballed over the last 18 years have found prominence in my film. References to the overall politics of the country have been added and one thing which I want to point out is that, like many things have changed in the new text, many things have remained the same. They have become bigger, darker and uglier. I have tried to address those issues by escalating the pitch and tenor of those conflicts [...] And I was not trying to be politically correct by giving representation to the various sections of the society."
Srijit Mukherji on restarting the film as "Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei" at The Telegraph[23]
Casting
Anjan Dutt approached for the role which he was to portray in Dozen, but he had to decline it as he thought that his real age might mismatch with the character.[24] Then Kaushik Ganguly came on the board, reuniting with Mukherji eleven years after Chotushkone in 2014, where he had a guest appearance.[25] In the screenplay section of the film, Mukherji took some suggestions from Ganguly, whom he considers to be his teacher-like in the field of screenwriting.[26]Ritwick Chakraborty and Rudranil Ghosh were reported to be roped in, both of them reuiniting with the director six years after Vinci Da (2019),[27] in their third and fifth collaborations respectively.[28] Later, Ghosh's involvement with the film was revealed to be a rumour, and Rahul Arunoday Banerjee came as his alternative.[29][30]Ananya Chatterjee[31][32] and Sauraseni Maitra[33] joined the cast in January 2024, replacing Roopa Ganguly and Swastika Mukherjee respectively from Dozen.[34] On the other hand, Satyam Bhattacharya and Riddhi Sen were revealed to play another pivotal roles,[35] both of whom got replaced by Suhotra Mukherjee and Arjun Chakrabarty respectively due to unknown reasons.[36][37]
In February 2024, Anirban Chakrabarti[38] and Phalguni Chatterjee joined the film.[39][40] The character which was to be portrayed by Rituparno Ghosh before, was reported having Anirban Bhattacharya in it.[27][41] Chiranjeet Chakraborty, who was rumoured to be a part of the film, got replaced by Kaushik Sen.[42] In May 2024, Adrit Roy was reported to feature in the film, which was later proved to be a rumour.[43] The same month, Bhattacharya opted out of the project due to his date issues and Parambrata Chatterjee came on the board replacing him.[44][45] The final casting was revealed on 23 May 2024.[30][46]
Filming
Principal photography of the film began on 10 June 2024 in Kolkata.[47][48] On the first day of shooting, veteran actor Phalguni Chatterjee met with an accident during the shot of an action sequence with shattering glass.[49] He got hurt when the glass shattered having severe cuts on his leg, hands, and face and he bled profusely.[50][51] The shooting of the film was imagined to postponed as Chatterjee had two stitches on his leg, while it didn't happen as he rejoined the shooting the next day.[52][53]
On 18 June 2024, production moved to Puri with the schedule for a week.[54] With the main twelve cast members, a particular scene was shot on the beach.[55] After the completion of the schedule, filming wrapped there on 26 June 2024.[56]
Post-production
Post-production began on mid-August 2024, as Mukherji was busy in the promotion of his previous film Tekka (2024).[57] On 30 September 2024, Kaushik Ganguly started dubbing his portions for the film first.[58][59] Subhadeep Guha began re-recording the film's background score during mid-July 2023.[54][60]
The soundtrack of the film is composed by Amit Chatterjee, while Subhadeep Guha provided its score.
The score featured in the teaser is a rendition of the music of the song, Shchedryk, written by the Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914.[3]
The first single "Tomar Ghawre Bawshot Kawre " was released on 17 January 2025. It is an adaptation of the song with the same name, originally composed by Zahid Ahmed.[61][62]
The teaser of the film was released on 23 December 2024,[68][69] which had a controversial response because of using the theme music of Lentovych's 1916 composition Shchedyrk, while it was revealed to be official.[70][71] The trailer of the film was launched at an event at Kolkata Town Hall on 13 January 2025,[72][73] where the cast members and Mukherji were spotted dressed in striking black-and-white attire.[74][75]
Release
The film was initially rumoured to be released on Christmas 2024. However, the film released on 23 January 2025 on the occasion of Netaji Jayanti, after the makers announced its date with the unveiling of a poster.[76]
Reception
Sudeep Ghosh of Anandabazar Patrika rated the film 8.5 out of 10 stars and wrote "Srijit Mukherji deserves special praise for moulding the screenplay in a modern set piece. The dream angle added by Srijit takes the film out of the monotony of the four walls and sets the discussion in various locations, which makes opportunity for a brilliant camera work." He also praised the acting acumen of each of the twelve actors and their uniquely written characters in the story by Mukherjee.[77] Subhasmita Kanji of Hindustan Times rated the film 4.5/5 stars and opined "Mukherjee has pulled a seasoned caste where the 12 people are not same, each one represents a different cast, religion, language, sexual orientation, etc. Every actor has shrewdly done their roles." She specially praised the director for integrating the song Tomar Ghawre Boshot Kore Koyjona into the film to show the breaking of the four walls of a room which metaphorically represented the breaking of the barriers of our insular mind.[78]
Sampali Moulik of Sangbad Pratidin reviewed the film and termed it as one of the best of Mukherjee's works. She noted "A dialogue dependent film, every character has a proper past, aspiration and vulnerability, which is supported by a strong screenplay. The suppressed tension in the jury is aptly carried throughout the film by the seasoned acting of the 12 actors, the cinematography by Halder and the accompanying song by Rapurna."[79]
Poorna Banerjee of The Times of India addressed Parambrata Chatterjee's character as "the conscience of human mind". She rated it 4/5 stars and quoted "Mukherji’s script weaves various subplots seamlessly into the narrative. Some of these unfold subtly in the background, adding layers of intrigue to the scenes. His meticulous framing allows multiple stories to coexist within a single shot. The film challenges not just its characters but also the audience, urging them to scrutinise evidence and confront their own biases. It prompts viewers to reflect on the myriad faces they encounter daily and the unseen truths beneath." She also praised the performances by the cast members, cinematography and especially its music which evoked familiarity.[80] According to Agnivo Niyogi of The Telegraph, the star of the film is Parambrata Chatterjee. He noted "The exchanges between the characters are taut, filled with tension and layered with thoughtful reflections, and the focus shifts from the accused to the decision-making process that is as flawed as the social systems that this motley bunch of people are a part of." Adding the film to be one of the best directorials in Mukherji's career, he wrote that the use of shadow and light emphasised the moral ambiguity at the heart of the film.[81]
^Nag, Kushali (28 April 2012). "Srijit Mukherji on Hemlock Society". It's tentatively titled Dozen. I will probably start shooting end of the year. It's an adaptation of a play written by me and was called Mind Game, which was inspired by a play titled 12 Angry Men.
^"Hemlocked all over: Srijit Mukherji". The Times of India. 11 January 2017. ISSN0971-8257. Retrieved 17 January 2025. Srijit Mukherji: I was well on my way to adapt 12 Angry Men in Bengali, when I met a person
^"Srijit Mukherji's Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei set for January 2025 release". The Telegraph Online. 21 December 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2025. The film is based on the play and film Ek Ruka Hua Faisla. Srijit's adaptation presents characters that come from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, political viewpoints, and sexual orientations.
^Banerjee, Poorna (23 January 2025). "Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei Movie Review : Of perspectives, perceptions and prejudices". The Times of India. ISSN0971-8257. Retrieved 26 January 2025. The human mind works in complex ways, and Srijit Mukherji's Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei delves deeply into its many layers. An adaptation of Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (itself based on Reginald Rose's teleplay Twelve Angry Men), the film explores the biases, prejudices, perceptions, and life experiences that shape our judgments.
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