When Naseeruddin Shah would wait patiently to give dialogue cues to Soumitra Chatterjee while filming for ‘A Holy Conspiracy’

Saibal Mitra’s ‘A Holy Conspiracy’ was a significant film that brought together two legendary actors, Naseeruddin Shah and Soumitra Chatterjee, on the silver screen. Despite undergoing an eye operation just before the shoot, Naseeruddin Shah's professionalism and dedication were evident as he patiently gave dialogue cues to his co-actor Soumitra Chatterjee.
Director Saibal Mitra, during an interview, praised the camaraderie between the two stalwarts, as they admired and respected each other's acting talents. The movie, a trilingual adaptation of the American play ‘Inherit the Wind’, delves into the debate of India's secular tradition, where a teacher faces legal consequences for not mentioning religion while teaching science in a small-town school.

Set in the backdrop of a Christian-dominated area in Jharkhand, the film explores the clash between religion and science. Both Naseeruddin Shah and Soumitra Chatterjee portrayed the roles of lawyers in this thought-provoking courtroom drama, speaking in Bengali, Hindi, and English.
The director shared that it was a dream come true for both actors to act together in a movie, and he was fortunate to make it happen. Naseeruddin Shah actively contributed to developing the script, impressing everyone with his dedication to his character during the shooting in Kolkata. Each and everyone on the team were surprised to see how a great actor prepares for the character he portrays.

Tragically, Soumitra Chatterjee passed away before the film got released in 2022, making it even more memorable for cine lovers. Saibal Mitra also expressed his hope that the audience would remember the movie for the exceptional performances of both Naseeruddin Shah and Soumitra Chatterjee.
The film's release was awaited eagerly for over two years, and its exploration of India's secular values struck a chord with the audience. It became a tribute to the remarkable talent and friendship between two acting legends, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved in the project.