Raktabeej Indian actor Abir Chatterjee is a part of director duo Nandita Roy-Shiboprosad Mukherjee's first thriller Raktabeej, which co-stars veteran Victor Banerjee and Tollywood superstar-MP Mimi Chakraborty in the lead. Abir plays an investigating officer in the film, which is based on an explosion that took place in West Bengal's Burdwan in 2014. IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh catches up with the actor...
Q. How has been the transition from films like Fatafati to Biye Bibhrat to Raktabeej?
A. I played a man in uniform in Avrodh. In Raktabeej, I am playing someone from the Intelligence department. There is no similarity between Bachaspati Bhaduri (Abir's role in Fatafati) and Pankaj Sinha (Abir's role in Raktabeej) in body language, approach, work and mentality. The responsibility increases manifold when two different types of roles are offered by the same production house. This also gives a kick to play the roles effectively.
Q. You have probably given an answer to people complaining about you getting stereotyped in detective roles.
A. People, who are not fond of me, will try to equate Pankaj Sinha with detective roles. While people who love me will acknowledge the fact that I have played a new character on screen. I will filter the reactions. Creative criticisms are always welcome but I avoid biased and prejudiced opinions.
Q. Did you interact with real life people to prepare for your role in Raktabeej?
A. My preparations were done already during the shoot of Avrodh. I met a lot of people in the sphere back then. It's important for actors to be with such people, observe them and understand their behaviours. But in this film, I entirely depended on Shibu-da and Nandita-di.
Photo courtesy: IBNS File
Q. Raktabeej is the first thriller by Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee and you are a part of it. How was the feeling?
A. Definitely it increases responsibility. It is true that Shibu-da and Nandita-di didn't make such a film on this scale or with this treatment before. I am a co-warrior in the film. It's a good sign that experimentation is being done. Instead of maintaining their core storyline, Windows Production has also come out with an experiment, which is really positive and praiseworthy.
Q. Tell us about the shooting experience at India Gate.
A. It was miraculously being shot because it was heavily raining in Delhi. I was the only actor from the team meant to be in the shoot. When I came out of the airport, it was raining cats and dogs. But miraculously, there was no rain when we shot the scene. Just after we finished the shoot and stepped into the car, rain again started. It was a miracle. Shooting at India Gate made me really proud. I felt a sense of pride and belonging.
Q. How did the Centre-State conflict issue, which we hear in state politics as well, was dealt with in the film?
A. It was underplayed. It was very interestingly shown in the script. Though all investigating officers are efficient, they sometimes get insecure when a different team comes. It happens. But the film has shown that a mission can be accomplished only when the Centre and State work together.
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