Shastri Veteran actress Debasree Roy teamed up with Mithun Chakraborty, her longtime co-actor, in Pathikrit Basu's Bengali film Shastri, which released in theatres on October 8 on the occasion of Durga Puja. In a candid chat with IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh, the actress speaks at length about the film and more...
Q. How was working with Mithun Chakraborty after a hiatus?
A. It has been the same. I have worked with Mithun-da for a long time but the experience has remained the same each time. I couldn't notice any change. It's always fun to work with him. Moreover, Mithun-da is my family friend. Both of our families know each other very well. So he is always a comfort zone for me.
Q. But actors and individuals do change or evolve over time.
A. I don't think he has changed a bit. Mithun-da is the same person as he has always been. He is always busy pulling my leg (laughs).
Photo courtesy: Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Q. A story of Mithun Chakraborty teasing you with a snake went viral on social media. Any funny incident you would like to recount from the sets of Shastri?
A. We had a tough schedule actually. We could have had such an incident if there was ample time (laughs). Mithun-da is afraid of chillies. I wanted to get him to taste it somehow but I failed this time. It's the only way I can bring him to book.
Q. You have always worked with younger filmmakers. Was the approach the same from your side in Shastri?
A. I was confident of the film's success during narration. Soham (Soham Chakraborty, actor-producer) chose the director and I have full faith in him.
Q. Do you believe in astrology? If yes, what's your definition?
A. I believe in it completely. I follow all the guidelines. Similar to how an umbrella protects us from rains, astrology acts as a prevention in our lives. Astrology is a protection. It makes us aware of good and tough times. The astrological predictions often comfort an individual mentally in tough times.
Shastri event | Photo courtesy: Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Q. You returned to daily soaps as well as ventured into OTT recently. How would you describe the change that came on TV and OTT as a medium being a veteran artiste?
A. I have worked on TV even at the peak of my film career. There is a stark contrast between the previous and current eras of television. Earlier when I featured on TV, it was one episode a week. But now, it has become a daily soap. It's a massive pressure to work on television now. The force to wrap up episodes is beyond imagination. It's very difficult for me to adjust to that style of work. On the other hand, web series follows the regular format of shooting but the time span is less.
Q. In one of your interviews, you claimed to have quit politics because you couldn't pull off the work and also neglected films. Are we going to see you back in films at a higher frequency now?
A. Everyone knows how serious I am about work. I am eager to work if good roles are offered to me. I want to play different characters.
Q. What kind of work are you looking for in this phase of your career?
A. It has to be different. The characters must be distinct from one another.
Photo courtesy: Debosree Roy Instagram handle
Q. How do you see the ongoing crisis centred on the RG Kar case in our state where the ruling party is at the receiving end of public outrage?
A. People are disturbed by what has happened. No one is in a jolly mood at the present time. Festivities might be taking place but people are undoubtedly disturbed.
Q. A lot of Bengali film personalities, who are associated with the ruling party (TMC), are facing backlash. Do you feel blessed to be not part of the political ecosystem in this scenario?
A. I can't judge whether my decision was right or wrong. But I felt I had neglected films for 10 years so I should quit. I am now feeling nothing, honestly. I am just eager to concentrate on my acting side because people loved me as an actress. So I want to give 100 percent to my audience.
The writer is a Kolkata-based entertainment, sports and political correspondent with IBNS. He can be reached on thisissouvikghosh@gmail.com
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