Feluda and Hercule Poirot have always been on my bucket list: Srijit Mukherji

Q. How do you see the transition of Feluda from Soumitra Chatterjee to Sabyasachi Chakrabarty to Tota Roy Chowdhury?

A. We have moved towards perfection sketchwise, if I speak ruthlessly. Soumitra Chattopadhyay had no resemblance to the original sketch. While Sabyasachi Chakrabarty moved closer to perfection, Tota is almost identical. But Soumitra Chattopadhyay's Feluda is legendary because of his sharp eyes. I don't think anyone has eyes as sharp as Soumitra Chattopadhyay being Feluda. I think he was incredible at displaying the sparkle in his eyes as a detective.

I think Sabyasachi Chakraborty's voice as Feluda is the best amongst the three. Leaving aside his baritone, his way of approach to any matter vocally was incredible. He was also a bit action-oriented. I feel the ideal Feluda is a combination of Soumitra Chattopadhyay's sparkling eyes, acting, Sabyasachi Chakrabarty's tone, presence and Tota's physical fitness and facial mold.

Q. What kept you returning back to Tota Roy Chowdhury for Feluda?

A. Firstly, his discipline. He is an incredibly disciplined actor. Secondly, he has always wanted to play Feluda. I am sure he has been preparing to play Feluda even before I roped him because it was reflected in his performances. Also he was quick in picking up mannerisms which are needed to establish Feluda onscreen. I think he was born to play Feluda like David Suchet for Poirot (Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie's Poirot) or Jeremy Brett for Sherlock Holmes.

Tota Roy Chowdhury as Feluda | Photo courtesy: Hoichoi

Q. Why does making Feluda keep you happy, as you claimed in an earlier conversation?

A. I am usually a very rough, short-tempered person on the set but one would discover me always cheerful during shooting for Feluda. This is because it takes me to my teenage days when my father used to buy me paperbacks of Feluda evoking nostalgia in me. So from that point of view, Feluda has always been a cathartic experience for me.

Q. Were you always interested in working on Feluda, considering the kind of films you have been associated with over the last decade?

A. Absolutely! Feluda and Hercule Poirot have always been on my bucket list. Let's see how things go from here.

Q. How challenging was it to shoot in Jammu and Kashmir?

A. The temperature was as low as -21 degree celsius! It was very challenging but that's the fun in shooting for Feluda. It's important to be united with Feluda's investigation and travel. The fun part is '... you want to travel with him, and you want to travel blind'.

Srijit Mukherji with his Feluda team | Photo courtesy: Hoichoi

Q. Why did you call Feludar Goyendagiri 2: Bhuswargo Bhoyonkor your last in Feluda series?

A. Logistical reason. It's impossible to adapt the rest of the Feluda stories on a budget usually allocated for a web series without compromise. Neither I can compromise nor I can make a film since I won't get permission to do so. So I have no choice other than quitting.

Q. What was the immediate reaction from Tota Roy Chowdhury?

A. He has requested me to reconsider my decision but I want to quit on a high. Only film can help me secure a budget which is required for period reconstruction. So no Feluda from me until I get permission to make a film.

Q. Apart from Tekka, your two other 2024 releases- Oti Uttam and Padatik- involved two legends. How do you see this line of work?

A. After a long time, I have had a year where I received both critical appreciation and commercial success. I was praised for technical innovation in Oti Uttam. Padatik, which received appreciations, toured 12 film festivals around the world and won five prizes. Most of the people who watched it called the film either my best work or one of the top three.

Though Padatik could have been a commercial success, it missed the opportunity due to the political turmoil in Bangladesh and RG Kar protests in Kolkata. Apart from Tekka's success, Shekhar Home went on to become one of the successful web series nationally.

Srijit Mukherji at trailer launch of Feludar Goyendagiri 2: Bhuswargo Bhoyonkor | Photo courtesy: Hoichoi

Q. How are you intending to expand nationally, in line with Shekhar Home's reception?

A. The planning for Shekhar Home's sequel is ongoing because the previous season ended in a cliffhanger. I am also discussing a few other OTT projects and films nationally. Let's see how things pan out for me.