Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Emperor vs Sarat Chandra Trailer Revisits Pather Dabi Controversy
Emperor vs Sarat Chandra is a film about writer Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay.
Its trailer shows how his writing challenged British rule in India.
The story especially focuses on his novel Pather Dabi.
The book was published in 1926.
The colonial government banned it in January 1927 because it considered the book seditious.
Sarat Chandra is shown seeking advice from Rabindranath Tagore.
Tota Roy Choudhury plays Sarat Chandra, and Abir Chatterjee plays Sabyasachi, a revolutionary character from the novel.
The film is planned for release in theatres on October 15 during Durga Puja.
The trailer depicts Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s fight against the British Raj through revolutionary writing.
It focuses on his novel Pather Dabi, published in 1926 and banned in January 1927 as seditious.
Tota Roy Choudhury plays Sarat Chandra, while Abir Chatterjee portrays the revolutionary Sabyasachi.
The film explores Sarat Chandra’s appeal to Rabindranath Tagore and the debates surrounding the ban.
Produced by Nandy Movies, the film is scheduled for an October 15 theatrical release during Durga Puja.
- Who
- Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, portrayed by Tota Roy Choudhury, and the British administration are central to the story; Rabindranath Tagore and Sabyasachi also feature.
- What
- The trailer for Emperor vs Sarat Chandra presents the controversy over the banning of Pather Dabi and Sarat Chandra’s resistance.
- When
- The trailer was released on Thursday; Pather Dabi was published in 1926 and banned in January 1927; the film is scheduled for October 15.
- Where
- The story is set against colonial India, while the film is scheduled to release in theatres.
- Why
- The British administration considered Pather Dabi seditious, while the film explores Sarat Chandra’s response and the wider political debate.
British Administration
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
Status of Pather Dabi
British Administration
The colonial government banned the novel in January 1927, deeming it seditious.
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
Sarat Chandra resisted the ban and sought Rabindranath Tagore’s advice and support.
Political impact of writing
British Administration
The administration viewed the novel’s revolutionary themes as a threat warranting censorship.
Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
The film presents Sarat Chandra’s writing as helping stir a generation against British rule and engage with colonial political realities.
- Film
- Emperor vs Sarat Chandra
- Director
- Srijit Mukherji
- Lead actor
- Tota Roy Choudhury as Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
- Featured novel
- Pather Dabi
- Novel publication
- 1926
- Ban date
- January 1927
- Release plan
- October 15 in theatres during Durga Puja