Bijoyar Pore: Swastika Mukherjee says 'I was never unapproachable to debutant directors'

Q. What made you agree to do this film?

A. One of the main reasons is that the film tells a story that is different from the ones like detective, thrillers, murder mystery, which are so common these days. Both in Bengali and nationally, most of the contemporary works are very dark-shaded with crime, detective. murder, crime, be it Mirzapur or Pataal Lok or Dawshom Awbotaar. It is the current trend which is loved by the audience. Bijoyar Pore tells a story which is relatable to all. We live in a society where all parents are lonely with their children settling in some other city. I could personally relate to the film since my daughter too stays away from me.

Q. How was the response to the film at the 29th KIFF?

A. It was a great experience. I was very excited because two of my films were selected in the last edition of the festival. The entire 90-seated hall was full during the screening of Bijoyar Pore. As an actor, such a sight gives me an adrenaline rush. My expectation was very low because I felt people might prioritise international films at such festivals. Contrary to my expectation, the audience's reactions and feedback were very positive.

Q. You have worked with a debutant director in Bijoyar Pore. Do debutant or newer directors get intimidated by your body of work?

A. Yes, sometimes debutant or newer directors feel I am unapproachable. Such a rumour that I am unapproachable is also there. But the fact is I have worked with a lot of new directors throughout my career. If they (debutant directors) can cross that first step, things turn out to be very easy. Having said that, I don't go by the debutant director's vision or face value. I need to know his/her team as well. A new director with a completely new team is difficult to work with. The technical support needs to be solid. A new director's technical team can't be new to pull off good work.

Q. Did you ever regret working with any new director even after going through all these steps?

A. No, not much. Maybe I have experienced it once or twice early in my career. But in the last ten years, I haven't felt something like that.

Q. The film talks about the generational gap. How have you learnt to cope up with the generational gap in your personal life?

A. I am still learning it. My daughter calls me backdated often so I try to correct and learn. It's a continuing process. Above all, an actor's work is learning from life and then employing it in a character. My father taught me that an actor's primary job is to observe people and things around us. Like in Guldasta, I had to change my way of walking for the role. It is our job to observe, remember and apply at work.

Q. How is adaptability challenging to you as an actor with changing times?

A. It has become a habit now. I don't need to switch on separately. It's constant now.

Q. Going by the trend, do you think there is a clear distinction between the kind of films which the audience are watching in theatres and OTT?

A. It has definitely occurred. People are going to theatres to experience mass entertainers. Sometimes, people are waiting to watch a great film on OTT instead of taking the trouble to go to the halls. But there is an exception too. Manoj Bajpaie's Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai ran well on OTT which prompted a theatrical release.

Q. Tell us about your upcoming works in Mumbai.

A. I will go to Mumbai in February to wrap up the post productions of three films which I did in 2023. Four Hindi films including one from 2022 will be released this year. I wanted to do some films because I was doing web series at a stretch. Talks are going on for two more projects.

(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)