Manush After Chengiz, Tollywood superstar-producer Jeet returns to box office with another action-packed flick, Manush, which is releasing in both Bengali and Hindi on November 24. Ahead of the release, IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh catches up with the actor
Q. The trailer ends with a dialogue where you vow to 'win as a father' if not as a 'person'. You recently became a father for the second time. How did fatherhood change you as an actor in terms of sensibility over the years?
A. It did help particularly in Manush because Ayanna's (Ayanna Chatterjee, co-actor) age is the same as that of my daughter. Coincidentally, their birthdates are also the same. Honestly while emoting onscreen, I experienced some thoughts and feelings which generally come to me for my own daughter. So it made my job easier.
Otherwise, sensitivity increases with the addition of each layer in life. The acting skill and ability improve with the increase in sensibilities. Reflections, at times, decrease with age but sensibilities mature. It's the same for me. Thankfully, both reflections and sensibilities are growing with age for me.
Photo courtesy: X/@jeet30
Q. The film showcases the conflict of two sides of an individual. Did you experience a similar conflict between your two sides, Jeet as an individual and an actor?
A. Yes, we all have our insecurities. It has happened many times. I remember my first film was a Telugu one (Chandu), which was a super flop. It was declared a disaster on the first day of its release. All the news media had written trash about me and the film. I had experienced a conflict in that phase. I had gone through sleepless nights and wondered whether I should stick to this profession or not. It's very natural to have insecurities and experience such a conflict. It happens to me as well.
Q. Are you trying to portray heroic characters with different shades in your films, most recently in Chengiz and Manush?
A. There is definitely a similarity between the roles I have played in Chengiz and Manush. But beside me and Sushmita (Susmita Chatterjee, lead actress), the two films are non-identical in terms of stories. In reality, people have different shades which get proactive based on situations. Manush captures how different layers of a person become visible in desperate situations. People can get vulnerable or strong depending on a situation.
Q. During the trailer launch, you made it clear that you would make films for the masses only. How challenging is it to be the sole flagbearer of mainstream, commercial films in an industry which is increasingly delving into city-oriented projects?
A. It is definitely challenging, especially when not many people are believing in it (mainstream, commercial films). But if we closely watch, all film industries in the country barring the Bengali one have mainstream films in the driver's seat. Moreover, if I look back in my own career, mainstream cinema is the primary reason behind the love, acceptance, adulation shown towards me. So there is no way for me to deviate from that path. Mainstream cinema is our base.
Photo courtesy: Instagram/Jeet
I wonder how many urban films have reached out to people who live in the rural areas. Not too many, for sure. If we keep on making city-oriented films, we are only responsible for putting an effort to cut down on an audience from the bigger chunk to the smaller one. It can't be denied that the majority of our population still lives in the villages.
Q. You had an aggressive campaign for Chengiz's pan-India release. How would you assess your expansion bid?
A. It was a good move, which prompted us to repeat with Manush.
Q. Don't you feel like making a cocktail of mass films and experimental projects in a year?
A. I would love to be a part of good films. I feel more comfortable in mainstream films because they reach out to the wider audience. It's a blessing for an actor to be received by a wider audience. If there are quality mainstream films out for grabs, I don't mind doing them till I am 70 or 80 years of age.
Photo courtesy: Instagram/Jeet
Q. We have seen a turnaround of Bollywood after a dismal box office run post Covid and lockdown with top stars backing each other. Is it a possible scenario to have Prosenjit Chatterjee, you and Dev in a single film?
A. I will surely reach out to both of them if I get hold of a good story. I had talked to Bumba-da (Prosenjit Chatterjee) quite a few times on this. Bumba-da wants very badly all three of us to come together and make a film. I am very much open to the proposal. We are looking for good content which can bridge all of us together.
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