Abar Jakher Dhan by Hemendra Kumar Roy [Hardcover]

In 1980, artist Mayukh Choudhury adapted *"Abar Yokher Dhan"* into a graphic novel and it was serialized under the title *"Guptodhoner Shondhane"* (In Search of the Hidden Treasure) in the *Shuktara* magazine, where it continued to be published serially until 1985. This became the longest adventure graphic novel ever serialized in Bengali magazines, spanning a total of 119 pages. It was published over a period of five years (from *Shuktara*, 1387 Asharh to 1392 Magh). What particularly captivated the readers in this graphic novel was the portrayal of the daring Bengali youth Bimal-Kumar, whose features were modeled after the popular Bengali actors Uttam Kumar and Soumitra Chattopadhyay of the time. This innovative idea won the admiration of readers, who were thrilled to see their favorite actors as the central characters in an adventure story. It is worth mentioning that the first novel featuring Bimal-Kumar, *Yokher Dhan* (The Treasure of Yokh), was serialized in the *Mouchak* magazine from Baisakh 1330 (April 1923). Later, it was published as a book by *M. C. Sarkar & Sons* in 1926. While both stories share the same central characters, they have no direct connection to each other. The backdrop of *Yokher Dhan* is set in Assam, India, while *Abar Yokher Dhan* takes place in the continent of Africa.