Samaresh Basur Projapoti: 'Reunion with Subrata Sen was much more evolved,' says actor Subrat Dutta

Q. Your Two recent films 'Guthlee' and 'Samaresh Basur Projapoti' were screened at the Kolkata International Film Festival in two consecutive editions with the former winning an award. Did you feel your mission in the films was accomplished at some level?

A. No. Not at all. An actor will have his creative death the moment he/she will have that feeling of accomplishment. We were trained on how to constantly evolve and change in a profession which continuously transforms. Unless we evolve, there is no scope for survival in films. My hunger in films and acting has remained intact even after working for 20 years.

Subrat Dutta in Samaresh Basur Projapoti

Q. Did you Read the novel 'Projapoti' before working for 'Samaresh Basur Projapoti'? Did you experience a change in thought after working in the adaptation?

A. Definitely I had read earlier. Later, I read again. I didn't read after the screenplay of the film was ready. As an actor, my job was to act as per the screenplay. Just like Satyajit Ray had introduced a lot of changes in 'Charulata', a lot of changes have been introduced in 'Samaresh Basur Projapoti' as well. There is a gap between when the novel was penned and the time frame captured in the film. So I never tried to feel the change even. I did what a professional actor should have done. I just treated the character on the basis of the screenplay.

Q. You had worked in a number of films including 'Swapner Feriwala', 'Bibar' with Subrata Sen. How was the reunion in 'Samaresh Basur Projapoti'?

A. The reunion was much more evolved and matured. Our mutual understanding was advanced. Our actor-director relation has also deepened over the years. While Subrata-da (Subrata Sen) has matured as a director, I have also learnt a lot of elements of films over the years. Subrata-da has achieved a height of maturity since he regularly watches a range of films. Both of us have had individual growths.

Poster of Samaresh Basur Projapoti featuring Subrat Dutta (L) and Mumtaz Sorcar (R)

Q. 'Bibar', which was directed by Subrata Sen, was also based on a novel by Samaresh Basu. So 'Samaresh Basur Projapoti' has a kind of united all three of you.

A. Yes, yes. Actually I felt like working on something written by Samaresh Basu after filming for 'Bibar'. Samaresh Basu has remained my favourite writer. But actually, we were in search of a producer.

Q. In various past interviews, you have spoken about people struggling to recognise you off-screen. Do you feel bad about this?

A. I think it's an achievement for me because the audience will not be able to recognise me till the time I am speaking. I am not at all satisfied with my career. There are plenty of my acting elements which are yet to be explored in the industry. However, I won't blame anyone for this. I have come a long way hailing from Bankura (a district in West Bengal, Subrat's birthplace).

Q. You used to work at maternity wards as well as burial grounds before joining films! Did the phase teach you about the full life circle?

A. Absolutely. It was a circle of life. I was offered sweets both at the maternity wards as well as burial grounds. So it was life. We live in between.

Subrat Dutta in Samaresh Basur Projapoti

Q. How do you view OTT, where you have also worked, as someone who studied films?

A. OTT is a very good platform. The audio-visual programme will change with time. Cinema has evolved manifold over the last hundred years and it will rapidly change in the last 15-20 years. But I don't think live performances- drama, theatre or dance- will change.

Q. Do you get opportunities to catch up with your batchmates, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Swanand Kirkire and others? What do you discuss when you meet?

A. Yes, yes. We meet up at our places. Our friendships remained the same irrespective of our individual success. Our discussions include Everything including films. But mostly, we talk of life at this Age.