{{Short description|2025 Indian Bengali film by Jiit Chakraborty}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox film | name = Aarii | image = Aarii poster.png | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Jiit Chakraborty | producer = Yash Dasgupta<br>Amitava Dey<br>Sreejit Mukherjee | writer = Amitava Bhattacharya | starring = {{plainlist| * Moushumi Chatterjee * Yash Dasgupta * Nusrat Jahan}} | music = Anindya Chatterjee<br>Keshab Dey<br>Lincon Roy Chowdhury | cinematography = Souvik Basu | editing = Subhajit Singha | studio = YD Films<br>GSI Films<br>GP Entertainment | distributor = PVR Inox Pictures | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2025|04|25}} | runtime = 137 minutes | country = India | language = Bengali | budget = | gross = {{INR|1.20 crore}} <ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-08 |title=Why Tollywood clings to veterans for that elusive success: A revival at twilight |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/why-tollywood-clings-to-veterans-for-that-elusive-success-a-revival-at-twilight/articleshow/120987324.cms |access-date=2025-05-12 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> }}
'''''Aarii''''' is a 2025 Indian Bengali-language action drama film, written and directed by Jiit Chakraborty.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghosal |first=Sharmistha |date=2025-04-08 |title=Actors Nussrat Jahan and Yash Daasguptaa take us through their latest film Aarii as they flaunt two exclusive summer party looks for Indulge |url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/entertainment/celebs/2025/Apr/25/actors-nussrat-jahan-and-yash-daasguptaa-take-us-through-their-latest-film-aarii-as-they-flaunt-two-exclusive-summer-party-looks-for-indulge |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Indulgexpress |language=en}}</ref> Produced by Yash Dasgupta, Amitava Dey and Sreejit Mukherjee under YD Films, GSI Films and GP Entertainment, the film stars Moushumi Chatterjee as Jaya Sen, Yash Dasgupta as her son Joy Sen and Nusrat Jahan as Aditi, a writer who becomes involved in their lives. The narrative explores the sacrifices and emotional bonds between a widowed mother and her caregiver son. It was released theatrically on 25 April 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-04-28 |title=We're honoured to have shared the screen with Mousumi Chatterjee, say Yash & Nussrat |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/were-honoured-to-have-shared-the-screen-with-mousumi-chatterjee-say-yash-nussrat/articleshow/120580462.cms |access-date=2025-05-02 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The film received mixed to positive reviews from the critics and is a blockbuster at the Box Office.
== Plot == After the death of her husband, Jaya Sen begins to suffer from a progressive illness that affects her memory and mental health. Her son, Joy Sen, abandons his own aspirations to become her full-time caregiver. The close-knit bond between them attracts the attention of Aditi, a writer researching real-life stories. When Joy finds himself in need of money, a local gang lord, Trilok, pressures him to join his criminal enterprise, and tensions rise as Joy’s friend Bubai (Unmesh) and rival Lalon pull him in opposite directions. As the stakes escalate, the family must navigate loyalty, desperation and hope.
== Cast == * Moushumi Chatterjee as Jaya Sen<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bharat |first=E. T. V. |date=2024-12-18 |title='আড়ি' ভাবের মধ্যমণি মা-ছেলে, ফের বাংলা সিনেমায় মৌসুমী চট্টোপাধ্যায় |url=https://www.etvbharat.com/bn/!entertainment/yash-daasguptaa-nusrat-jahan-moushumi-chatterjee-starrer-aarii-will-release-on-april-west-bengal-news-wbs24121804611 |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=ETV Bharat News |language=bn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=লাহিড়ী |first=চৈতালী |title=প্রবল দাবদাহে প্রেক্ষাগৃহের শীতলতা আর মৌসুমী চট্টোপাধ্যায়, 'আড়ি' থেকে প্রাপ্তি এটুকুই |url=https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/review-of-the-film-aarii-directed-by-jiit-chakraborty-starring-moushumi-chatterjeeyash-daasguptaa-nussrat-jahan-dgtl/cid/1598328 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250429014823/https://www.anandabazar.com/entertainment/review-of-the-film-aarii-directed-by-jiit-chakraborty-starring-moushumi-chatterjeeyash-daasguptaa-nussrat-jahan-dgtl/cid/1598328 |archive-date=29 April 2025 |access-date=2025-05-02 |language=bn |url-status=live }}</ref> * Yash Dasgupta as Joy Sen ** Debmalya Gupta as Young Joy Sen<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJLrpQvS0qN/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref> * Nusrat Jahan as Aditi Ghosh * Partha Bhowmick as Trilok Halder * Kamaleshwar Mukherjee as Barundeb Acharya * Debraj Bhattacharya as Lalon Halder * Unmesh Ganguly as Bubai Acharya * Sohini Sengupta as Phoolu * Debolina Biswas as Srimoyee Chatterjee * Ashim Roy Chowdhury as police * Abhijit Guha as Lokesh Samanta * Sumit Panja * Srabanti Chatterjee (cameo in "Dakat Poreche" song)<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G951Z8AokqU&feature=youtu.be |title=Dakat Poreche {{!}} ডাকাত পড়েছে {{!}} Aarii {{!}} Iman Chakraborty {{!}} Srabanti C {{!}} Yash D {{!}} Nussrat J {{!}} Keshab D |date=2025-04-16 |last=Saregama Bengali |access-date=2025-05-02 |via=YouTube}}</ref> * Somraj Maity as Pritam Sunpui (cameo) * Jiit Chakraborty (cameo)
== Production == === Development === The project was announced in late 2024, marking veteran actress Moushumi Chatterjee’s return to Bengali cinema after a 10-year hiatus.<ref>{{cite web | last=Chakraborty | first=Torna | title=Mousumi Chatterjee attends the press conference of Aarii alongside Yash and Nussrat | website=The Times of India | date=2025-04-24 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/mousumi-chatterjee-graces-the-press-conference-of-aarii-alongside-yash-and-nussrat/articleshow/120582377.cms | access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref> The film is the second production under actor Yash Dasgupta’s banner alongside Amitava Dey and Sreejit Mukherjee.
=== Filming === Principal photography commenced in December 2024 in South Kolkata. The shoot was completed rapidly, leveraging urban and suburban locales to depict the Sen family’s domestic and community settings.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ganguly |first1=Ruman |title=I had a lot of fun shooting for Aari after a 12-year gap : Mousumi Chatterjee |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/i-had-a-lot-of-fun-shooting-for-aari-after-a-12-year-gap-mousumi-chatterjee/articleshow/120479237.cms |access-date=2 May 2025 |work=Times of India |date=21 April 2025}}</ref>
== Soundtrack == {{Infobox album | name = Aarii | type = Soundtrack | artist = Anindya Chatterjee, Keshab Dey and Lincon Roy Chowdhury | released = 2025 | recorded = | genre = Feature film soundtrack | language = Bengali | label = Saregama Bengali | producer = Yash Daasguptaa, Nusrat Jahan | misc = {{Extra chronology | artist = Anindya Chatterjee | type = Soundtrack | prev_title = Konttho | prev_year = 2019 | title = Aarii | year = 2025 | next_title = | next_year = }} {{Extra chronology | artist = Keshab Dey | type = Soundtrack | prev_title = Balaram Kando | prev_year = 2025 | title = Aarii | year = 2025 | next_title = | next_year = }} {{Extra chronology | artist = Lincon Roy Chowdhury | type = Soundtrack | prev_title = Antaratma | prev_year = 2025 | title = Aarii | year = 2025 | next_title = | next_year = }} }}
The film's score is composed collaboratively by Anindya Chatterjee, Keshab Dey and Lincon Roy Chowdhury, blending traditional Bengali motifs with contemporary orchestration to underscore the emotional arc of the mother-son relationship.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Piya |title=Nussrat Jahan and Yash Daasguptaa star in a romantic duet in the upcoming film Aari |url=https://t2online.in/not-in-use/health/nussrat-jahan-and-yash-daasguptaa-star-in-a-romantic-duet-in-the-upcoming-film-aari/1381818 |access-date=2 May 2025 |work=t2 Online |date=26 March 2025}}</ref>
=== Track listing === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" ! No. !! Title !! Lyrics !! Singer(s) !! Length |- | 1. || "Kichu Kotha" || Lincon Roy Chowdhury || Muhammad Irfan, Anwesshaa|| 4:18 |- | 2. || "Aarii (Title Track)" || Anindya Chatterjee|| Anindya Chatterjee || 3:31 |- | 3. || "Dakat Poreche" || Badal Paul || Iman Chakraborty|| 2:37 |- | 4. || "Mon Pakhi" || Amitabha Bhattacharya || Syed Omy || 2:52 |- |5. |"Tor Moto kore keo" |Lincon Roy Chowdhury |Pritam Kumar, Rubai |2:25 |- ! colspan="4" style="text-align:right;" | Total length: || 15:43 |}
== Release == Theatrically released across West Bengal and select national screens on 25 April 2025, ''Aarii'' opened to moderate box office collections, buoyed by positive word-of-mouth for its performances and emotional depth.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Britto |first1=Anita |title=Moushumi Chatterjee returns to cinema after 12 years, teams up with Nusrat Jahan |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/moushumi-chatterjee-returns-to-cinema-after-12-years-teams-up-with-nusrat-jahan-2690607-2025-03-07 |access-date=2 May 2025 |work=India Today |date=7 March 2025}}</ref>
== Controversy == In May 2026, ''Aarii'' became subject to media scrutiny following allegations of illegal financial investments involving political figures and enforcement agencies. According to media report, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) began investigating whether black money belonging to Trinamool Congress (TMC) politician Jahangir Khan (popularly known as "Pushpa") was funneled into the film's production.
The controversy emerged after Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Abhijit Das and Shankudeb Panda alleged a financial nexus between Khan and the film's director, Jeet Chakraborty. According to Panda, Khan allegedly routed illicit funds through his associate, Shanu Bakshi—the former Block Development Officer (BDO) of Falta—who married Chakraborty in February 2025 around the time the production of ''Aarii'' concluded. BJP leaders claimed that Khan used various Tollywood productions and major production houses in South Kolkata to launder money.
In response to the allegations and the leaked messages, Shanu Bakshi denied the claims of political and financial collusion, asserting that the circulating WhatsApp chats were forged using Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ghosh |first=Bhaswati |date=2026-05-22 |title=বিতর্কিত বিডিও শানুর সঙ্গে টলিপাড়ার যোগসূত্র কে? |url=https://tv9bangla.com/entertainment/what-is-tollywoods-connection-with-the-controversial-bdo-shanu-bakshi-chakraborty-1314416.html |access-date=2026-06-01 |website=TV9 Bangla |language=bn}}</ref>
== Reception == ''Aarii'' received generally positive reviews for its heartfelt storytelling and standout performances, particularly Moushumi Chatterjee’s nuanced portrayal of Jaya Sen.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kundu |first=Kasturi |title=Moushumi Chatterjee Birthday: 'এখনও বুড়ি হইনি...', যশ-নুসরতের 'আড়ি'-র প্রিমিয়ারে জমজমাট জন্মদিন সেলিব্রেশন মৌসুমীর |url=https://bengali.indianexpress.com/entertainment/moushumi-chatterjee-birthday-celebration-on-aarii-premiere-9004299 |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=bengali.indianexpress.com |language=bn}}</ref> * Poorna Banerjee of ''The Times of India'' awarded the film 3 out of 5 stars, praising its exploration of elder care and family bonds while noting its deliberate pacing might challenge some viewers<ref>{{cite web | last=Banerjee | first=Poorna | title=Aarii Movie Review: An endearing family drama that ticks many boxes | website=The Times of India | date=2025-04-25 | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movie-details/aarii/movie-review/120642938.cms | access-date=2025-05-02}}</ref> * IWMBuzz lauded the “high-EQ” screenplay and Moushumi Chatterjee’s presence, calling ''Aarii'' a “bitter-sweet tale that resonates with universal themes of love and duty.”<ref>{{cite web |last=Ganguly |first=Shatakshi |title=Aarii Review: A 'bitter-sweet' tale of mother-son bond |website=IWMBuzz | date=2025-04-26 | url=https://www.iwmbuzz.com/movies/editorial-movies/aarii-review-a-bitter-sweet-tale-of-mother-son-bond/2025/04/26 |access-date=2025-05-02}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|tt35929295}}
Category:2025 films Category:Bengali-language Indian films Category:Films about families Category:Films shot in Kolkata Category:2025 Indian films Category:Films distributed by PVR Inox Pictures Category:2025 Bengali-language films Category:Bengali-language action drama films