Parambrata Chattopadhyay gets candid

Juggling his work schedule between Kolkata and Mumbai, Parambrata Chattopadhyay is confessedly a workaholic, who doesn’t allow himself a break too often. But be it for work or a break, hills are really close to his heart, where he wouldn’t miss a chance to escape. His favourite? “The quaint Dalhousie and Darjeeling.” Not only does he juggle between two busy cities but also wears many hats in his profession. A thorough multitasker, the actor-director-producer’s passion for fitness is also unmissable as one scrolls through his Insta page. Whether he is in the hills, Kolkata or Mumbai, he would not give his fitness routine a miss. And we witnessed this dedication recently as he quickly hit the gym before donning the outfits for a special autumn-winter edit for The Telegraph at Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences, showcasing two lookbooks — quirky and fun looks for the first one and the globally trending green palette for the second one. In between shots, the actor engaged in a candid chat with The Telegraph. Extracts...

You take your fitness very seriously...

I am not a fitness freak. I like to work out because I like to enjoy the other pleasures of life... good food, my bowl of rice and fish curry, something sweet after a good meal. Being fit makes me feel healthy.

Is that your secret to making 40 look blisteringly hot?

Staying happy and staying focussed on what I like doing, which is my work. I wear different hats but all are related to one medium, which is cinema. Staying in the creative space makes me feel happy. I am a workaholic and the good thing about that is, it doesn’t allow you to concentrate on certain narrow considerations or petty things.

Most places you go to these days, you remind your friends and colleagues that you are 40. Does it bother you?

Yes, it actually does. (Smiles) I never thought it would but it seems like it does. Kobe eto gulo bochhor kete gelo bujhte parchhi na.... When I was younger and looked at 40-year-old men and now when I look at myself, fortunately, I don’t look like that (laughs). But more than bothering it also gives a sense of empowerment in a certain way. I have actually managed to come all this way till 40 having started my career at 20 (laughs). There is also a sense of satisfaction.

Does it feel like it has been this long... 20 years in the industry ?

It doesn’t feel it has been this long but when I look back at a few incidents or episodes from my life, it feels like a different life. Not a linear, chronological life. That’s also probably because my journey has been very varied. I come from a financially middle-class family but in terms of thoughts very advanced, very liberal. And from there I have had a very illustrious journey. I never thought in my childhood that I will fly four times a week, fly to international destinations five times a year... that I will be dealing with people from Bombay not only as an actor but in various other roles on a daily basis.

Which one is more gratifying, turning 40 in life or turning 20 in the industry?

My life, so far, predominantly has been about loving my work. I think turning 20 in the film industry is more gratifying.

What are your landmark moments in the two-decade journey?

Landmark moments are both good and bad as it changes the journey. When I started acting it was not a serious thing for me, it was fun. I would consider the passing away of my father in 2001 as a big landmark as I would have gone to film school otherwise and not start my career as an actor. Second would be getting an opportunity to do Topshe (in the Feluda films). Topshe was an immediate platform to get wider attention. Doing The Bong Connection helped me graduate from television to films. Leaving for my film school and the release of 22shey Srabon... after coming back. Kahaani release was definitely a landmark because that kind of gave me immediate recognition in the Hindi language. Its recall value for the non-Bengali audience is still there. And turning a director-producer as it is a longer and a tougher game, thus more enjoyable.

You never had a plan of becoming an actor, what did you want to become?

I wanted to be a film-maker since I was very young. But if not an actor, I would be in academics or would be pursuing music more astutely with a lot more care.

Actor, director and producer... how would you rate yourself in each role?

People still know me as an actor. To tell people I am better at something else doesn’t sound good. But I do rate myself slightly higher as a director. People will come to know eventually. Some people from the audience tell me at times. But for the mass to be aware, it will take time. I have acted in over 60 films and, on the other hand, I have made six films. I am, and for a good number of years will be, an actor who directs and not a director who also acts. I have just started out as a producer. We did some significant work in the OTT space. I think time will tell the rest.

Do you feel successful?

Yes, in my own space. There is hunger for more. Being happy is success for me. So, yeah.

Is there any one film of yours that you can’t watch from a critical lens because you are so attached to it ?

Hemlock Society, The Bong Connection and Sonar Pahar.

Your first film had Soumitra Chatterjee (Hemanter Pakhi) as an actor and you directed him in his last with the release in a landmark year in your career as well... what were the emotions like?

I did not share any scenes with him but I remember the day when I met him. We were shooting that film immediately after my father passed away. Making a biopic with him in it is anyway a very exciting experience. But in respect to the first incident I have never thought about it, now that you mention it occurs to me that yeah...

Is there anything that motivates you to take a break?

In the last six-seven years I have been a workaholic. At times I feel that it is necessary to take a break. It is not that I don’t take. I could perhaps take a little more but after an undesired break for two years (due to the pandemic) there’s a lot to do . Earlier people used to say that after a certain age you need to focus more on yourself but at present times we all defy that. Shah Rukh (Khan) still works so much, Amitabh Bachchan for that matter or Bumbada (Prosenjit Chatterjee) closer home. But yeah, after a point you are supposed to give attention to yourself. But I feel the more your work increases with time these cravings of taking time out for yourself also increase.

When you look back, what is that one major turning point from where you feel that it is a different life you are living?

There are many but making a broad division, going to England, before and after that. I am one of those people who never realise what has happened when it happens, be it tragedy or something good, it is only later I realise that it happened. I understand bigger truths about life in retrospection rather than while it is happening. There is a sense of gratification when I look back.

You usually refrain from speaking anything about your personal life. Is it really all about work or a big news is awaiting us?

I have never really been a person who is very vocal about my personal life. I have never put my everyday life on social media. I may be very archaic but I am there mainly to share my professional experiences. The personal experience that I share there shouldn’t concern other people in my life because I will be doing that without their approval. I have had a very colourful life till 40, if anything has to happen it will happen. Forty is the new 30 so let’s see where it goes. (Smiles)

Are you a goal setter?

To myself, yes. I set goals nowadays and it is not long-term.

What are some of the goals in your mind at present?

(Laughs) To produce a series of Bengali films next year.

Pictures: Pabitra Das

Location: Novotel Kolkata Hotel & Residences

Antar-Agni, Sahil Aneja and Divyam Mehta outfits: Dapper Menswear, Kolkata

Hair and make-up: Bhaskar Biswas

Styling: Sumit Sinha