The image of the dalan with the grand stairs leading up to the portico supported by six pillars is etched in the memory of viewers who watched Bulbbul, a horror movie, set in the backdrop of the Bengal Presidency, 1881.
The Anushka Sharma movie was shot at Rajbari Bawali, about 32 km from Kolkata. On entering the grounds of the grand structure, Shampa Pramanik, the woman in charge of welcoming guests, informs me that Sharma stayed here for almost a month for the film’s shoot.
The Rajbari, now a heritage property having about 170 staff, has an interesting history. Alexandrea McLuskie, the resident estate manager at Bawali, says it was gifted by Emperor Akbar to a zamindari family of Bengal, namely the Mondal dynasty. The gift was a result of the good revenue earned at the time.
“There is a room from two to four where Arun Mondal, the last member of the Mondal dynasty, lived and died. He lived to be about 102, was unmarried and died at his ancestral home,” says McLuskie.
Like many structures of a bygone era, the once grand Rajbari Bawali fell into ruin. The credit behind turning it around goes to Ajay Rawla, a jute businessman based in Kolkata.
Rawla, who was looking forward to the expansion of his jute factory, stumbled upon the Rajbari unawares. “It was dilapidated at the time. Only one room was functional when Arun Mondal lived. It took us a decade to restore the Rajbari,” recalls McLuskie.
Rawla was mesmerised by the Rajbari and evinced an interest in acquiring it. He kept coming back to the spot. When the restoration work started, the thought of turning it into a hotel was first discussed.
Initially, Arun Mondal did not want to give it up but he finally relented. The Rajbari was acquired in 2010 and started running as a luxury hotel from 2017. There are now 47 rooms for guests. It definitely picked up popularity after Bulbbul was filmed here.
For guests interested in its history, there is a guided walk after lunch. “Durga Puja is still organised in the old Bengali traditional way,” says Shampa Pramanik. During the tour, many interesting artefacts can be seen, many of which were acquired by Rawla whose hobby is hunting for antiques.
Debopriyo Mitra, who has been working for almost three years at the Rajbari, is supervisor of the reservations team. Apart from the big events held here, Mitra looks at all kinds of bookings, including the lunch sessions. The latter is already a hit with visitors due to its unique combinations featuring Bengali delicacies. There is a peak in tourists during the weekends.
“Visitors can order on à la carte basis other cuisines as well, but it takes time. As we are a Rajbari in West Bengal, there is a focus on traditional Bengali food. But we are mindful of other choices,” says Mitra.