Shibpur: Opted to play a cop again considering a different shade, says Parambrata Chattopadhyay

Q. You have a connection with Shibpur as you used to stay there in childhood. Did you turn nostalgic while shooting for the film?

A. I spent all my childhood vacations in Shibpur. So naturally there was an immediate connection with the place. But also it is a fact that the Shibpur shown in this film has no resemblance with the one where I spent my childhood vacations (laughs). This is because the incidents which are shown in this film belong to the underworld away from common people's glare. Thankfully and fortunately, I didn't have to witness this criminal world at that young age. But of course, I was aware of this dark world.

Q. Several actors tend not to play a similar role. What made you choose a cop's role despite playing it multiple times in the past?

A. I hesitate to play a similar role when there is no difference in terms of shade. Police, professor, engineer are professional brackets. But that does not mean all police officers are identical by nature. I love to play cops. The only aspect I keep in mind is whether the shade of a particular character is different from the ones I played earlier. Sultan Ahmed (Parambrata's character in 'Shibpur'), who is much shrewd, experienced, calculative et al, is completely different from the role of police officers I played earlier.

Q. How was the research work since Sultan Ahmed is based on a real life character?

A. Sultan Ahmed is more or less a realistic character so I studied on the internet to some extent. There is not much information available on the internet. Banking on my research, I shaped the character in my own way. Going by his name, I imagined him to be a Bengali Muslim as most of the Muslim people in this state are Bengali speaking. I took the effort to incorporate these little aspects in playing the role.

Q. Did you feel the pressure to play a realistic character?

A. It would be impossible to work if I allow so much pressure to seep in. I never take any pressure. I just work in my own way. In a world of social media where everyone is a film critic and has knowledge about everything (Parambrata says with sarcasm), it would be futile to take any extra pressure.

Q. Swastika Mukherjee brought some serious allegations against a co-producer and she had also skipped the trailer launch event. How would you respond to that as a co-actor?

A. Whatever was sent to Swastika is condemnable. This should not happen to anyone irrespective of his/her gender, no doubt. Having said that, there is no proof of producers' involvement in the incident. Moreover, producers offered unconditional support to Swastika on this issue. Producers even went on to fulfill all demands placed by Swastika after the incident. So as a hired actor, one should fulfill his/her responsibility in a scenario where producers have tried to help despite having no involvement.

On my part, there is no question of contacting her (Swastika Mukherjee) because she didn't ask for it and she shouldn't as she is capable enough to handle herself. So I feel whatever was sent to Swastika is wrong but the producers' effort should also be appreciated.

Q. Your last work, 'Shabash Feluda', had attracted polarised comments. Do you feel it's the impact of social media?

A. Absolutely. In any way, our society has been polarised over the last 10-12 years. Moreover, social media has played a huge role in further polarising the society. Social media had started as a tool empowering people to express their own views. It was very appreciable. But democracy has its own pitfalls. In a democracy, people often don't realise when they misuse their liberty. I say this because a large section of people uses social media to stay socially relevant and establish their importance. It is tough to stay relevant through positive posts. Disruptive posts only make one relevant, catching people's attention. So we have to accept the situation and work accordingly. It's our choice to be disturbed or not by this trend.

Personally I feel staying away from social media is good for mental peace. I don't use any other social media platform except Instagram. Social media and the world outside are not the same. Though we can't ignore social media, it doesn't reflect the opinions of the entire world, this was clearly evident in elections (election surveys) a number of times.

Q. You were very sceptical about the grandeur surrounding Bengali films and actors in recent times. Would you like to elaborate on this?

A. It would be better if we stay away from the grandeur. Since glitz is closely linked to cinema, we actors tend to live that life of glitz. I am aware of the film industry's reality since I work as a director and producer besides being an actor. Glitz must be there but we need to have a reality check. So I feel the grandeur should be a bit less considering the track record of Bengali cinema.

Q. How do you control your director's self in a film where you are wearing only the actor's hat?

A. It's a fight between the two roles. I feel the urge to give inputs, particularly if the director is new to the business. I have done it earlier. But with age and maturity, I have successfully learnt to restrict my director's self on the set to some extent.

Q. Unlike many senior actors who go selective in terms of work, Parambrata Chattopadhyay is having a series of releases!

A. Basically our backs were on the wall during the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a tough time for actors. So we all opted for any work which was offered post pandemic. A lot of pending films are getting released now. Along with that, some films, which I have done with much care both in Kolkata and Mumbai, are coming out.

(Images: Avishek Mitra/IBNS)