24 dogs in Bengali film "Pati Parameswar"

Kolkata: There are 24 of them striking various poses as the camera hovers above them. No, they are not beautiful models, but a pack of 24 dogs shooting for a Bengali film.

It is the first time that so many dogs are acting for a Bengali film "Pati Parameswar," its director Jayasree Bhattacharya says.

The director insists that her film is not the Tollywood version of the "Doberman Gang", but a comedy with the 80's flavor.
"We took an audition of 80 dogs ? from Spitz to Great Dane from Doberman to German Sheperd. We settled for 24. They form an important part of the story of 'Pati Parameswar' where the Rituparna Sengupta and Rajatabha Dutta fight over their family dog Pluto," Bhattacharya says.

She said the unit was constantly on its toes as not all the dogs were accompanied by their trainers.

"When the shooting was in progress we had asked the actors not to speak any dialogue since that might frighten them and disturb them," she explained.

"I had never been a great dog lover. But I was turned into one after shoots," Rituparna said. Actor-politician Debasree Roy said, "It is a whole new genre of film, a fresh concept, one never heard about in Bengali cinema from whatever I learnt from the director.

"I was keen to know if the dogs were given medicines and properly looked after and during shoots. I am happy to learn that each was accompanied by trainer/owner during shoots", Debasree, whose organization looks after street dogs, said.

Costume designer Sushmita designed the robes of the animals for the fashion show where all the canines walk the ramp led by 'show-stopper' Pluto.