The term, 'Shaaticup', meaning 'to remain hidden', might sound a bit odd to many, but not to those who are familiar with the dialect of the north. Currently flooding billboards of Rajshahi, the series, "Shaaticup", is set to release on Chorki today.

Based in the silk city, the eight-episode narco thriller projects themes of drug dealing and border crimes. In a candid conversation with The Daily Star, the creator and director of the series, Mohammad Touqir Islam Shaik, shares insights on his debut web series.

Shaik is an alum of Children Film Society and a graduate from Asian School of Media Studies, Delhi. He, along with his team at their own production house Foot-Print Films, have made short films that bagged national and international accolades.

The poster of the series.

As the pandemic hit, they looked for an avenue to make use of the homebound time. "Action was an unexplored genre for us. 'Shaaticup' was initiated as an experiment. We began to test shoots without any script. The edited footage got us excited. We worked on our research and development. Based on the experiences of real people, we formed the script of the series with eight episodes,'' he shared. 

The making of the project was fascinating. "We did not have a financer, so we put our own money into it. However, the project was larger than our reach," Shaik shared.  "We pitched our idea to Sony Corporation, who offered us technical support; Rajshahi Film Society gave us one of their cameras. We intended to use sync sound in the project but did not have technical hands. So we began to train on our own. With small workshops, training and the filming took place almost simultaneously."

Director Mohammad Touqir Islam Shaik.

At least fifteen core team members of the project worked in multiple capacities. The performers are all film enthusiasts from Rajshahi who are associated with Shaik. They wrote scripts with wrong spelling but right dialect, some actors were given just the idea and were shot in their natural form. Second takes were not an option, thus to avoid losing organic expressions Shaik set multiple cameras to capture them from all possible angles.

The recently released rap song of the series "Gujguj Chang" created quite a buzz around the internet. The lyricist of the rap, Omar Masum, is also a primary cast member of the project. The words and the use of folk instruments enhanced the local essence further. Kolkata based composer Nabarun Bose worked as the music composer in the project. "We sang the rap and reached out to Nabarun da. We had no prior introduction, and yet he agreed to work with us. As an adorer of his music, I could not be happier," Shaik said. The title track of the series, "Puthipath", is sung by Rahul Ananda.

The series is based in Rajshahi.

Shaik also expressed his gratitude to those who guided him through the project.  "Saleh Sobhan Auneem from Film Noir was instrumental to this project. He treated it as one of his own," he added. "My  gratitude also goes out  to Rasheed Sharif Shoaib and Rajesh Saha on sound. The journey of 'Shaaticup' would not be complete without them."

"Chorki set a festive mood to my city. We never imagined having billboards of our project. It is definitely overwhelming," he shared.

The trailer showcases various landscapes and dialects of the north, setting high expectations. With 137 cast and crew members and 62 days of shooting, "Shaaticup" hints at an audacious filmmaking concept with an indie sensibility.