Kolkatar Harry speaks about positivity, transports children to magical world: Soham Chakraborty

Kolkatar Harry was screened at the 27th KIFF. What kind of response have you received?

Firstly, I was highly tensed because we were competing with the other international films, so definitely we are blessed and grateful to the entire fraternity of KIFF for selecting our film and screening it in front of our audience. On the very first day, we were very tense. Fortunately 60 percent of the audience turned out which gave confidence as well as relief. The same thing happened on the second day of screening with 80 percent attendance in Nazrul Tirtha.

Also it is very rare for a commercial film to get screened at an international film festival.

Exactly. That's what the tension was about. We were fortunate enough to get a commercial film screened at the KIFF.

Of late we haven't had too many films on children. Do you think Kolkatar Harry will fill the vacuum?

Definitely. The last two years were very depressing for all of us. We lost many of our closed ones, jobs and much more. Being an artist and an entertainer, it is our responsibility to grow and help our industry by selecting such movies which will give very positive vibes and that come from children.

So we have selected that kind of a story where we spoke about positivity in every section. We have got ample situations where we can travel and take our kids to the magical and fantasy worlds while their parents will be transported to their childhood days.

You have tried singing in this film. How did that happen?

For that, I am thankful to Jeet Ganguli obviously. Ganguli had earlier said he would make a song which I will sing. I took it very casually. In this film, he had offered me a song. I had confidence in myself as well as him. So I tried my best because it gives a poetry essence.

Were you nervous to sing?

Initially, I was nervous. But I was not at all nervous while walking into the recording studio.

Also your film's release date coincides with your former co-actor Mimi Chakraborty's film Mini. Does it become risky in terms of business?

Firstly, we always need a healthy competition at every time and that will challenge or enhance our credibility to work and produce good quality movies.

Secondly, rather than competitions, it gives ample options to the audience to go for movies. We have been completely stuck for the last two years. Now it is our opportunity to give quality movies to the audience. So I convey my best wishes to Mimi and all other Bengali films.

(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)