His portrayals have won him popularity, acclaim and awards. Recently, his tryst with historical fiction yielded great results and Dev got rave reviews for playing Nagendra Prasad Sarbadhikary, who is known as the father of Indian football, in Golondaaj. Now, after the stupendous success of Projapoti, Dev is all set to travel back in time to play freedom fighter Jatindra Nath Mukherjee, better known as Bagha Jatin. The shoot begins soon. AThe Telegraph chat with Team Baghajatin...

DEV

Why did you decide to produce Baghajatin?

Because of who he (BaghaJatin) was... because of his courage, his exemplary heroism. I feel everyone should see this film... it is one of our costliest productions. The look and feel will be of national standard. We have produced a period piece like HobuChandra Raja Gobu ChandraMantri before. I like watching historical fiction. I’m fascinated by period films. I have done ChanderPahar and Golondaaj.

Why have director Arun Roy onboard?

We were in talks for some time and he came up with this idea, and I felt Arun da would do total justice to the film. I had seen his films before. I really like the way he carries out the research for his films. We have been working on the story of Baghajatin for the last one-and-a-half years.

Tell us about your look in the film.

We have tried to be very close... and I have quite a few looks in the film. The character goes through various transformations. Arun Roy is known for a certain kind of film-making.

What can we expect from Baghajatin?

It’ll be on a huge scale.... the canvas is big. There will be amazing action sequences. The audience hasn’t seen something like this in Bengali films before. We are getting the best graphics team to work on it. You’ll see me in a new way. The film will have a women’s perspective.

Everyone will be looking forward to the scene where Bagha Jatin fights with a Royal Bengal Tiger and finally kills it. How are you planning it?

I can’t disclose anything about it right now... it’ll be an amazing sequence. I’m really excited and I am totally focusing on this film. We have 89 actors in the film; I am really confident about it.

For the female lead in the film, why did you decide to cast someone who is not from the industry or connected with films?

We wanted to launch someone new. There was an announcement on our social media platforms that we were looking to cast someone new to play the role and there were 9,000 applications. After shortlisting, we held auditions and then selected 20, and then it was whittled down to six and finally, Sreeja Dutta was selected. After that, we did a look test to see how she would fit into that time frame. We had a vision in mind and we are happy to have achieved that.

ARUN ROY

What are your thoughts on Dev playing Bagha Jatin?

Dev is the perfect person to play Bagha Jatin. I admire Dev’s screen presence and his charisma. AndBagha Jatin was larger than life....he was not an ordinary person. And I can only see Dev playing him. And as a producer, I really admire what he is doing. With every film, he is experimenting. It is amazing how he is always on the lookout to try out new things. He is working with experienced people as well as giving opportunities to youngsters. And as a superstar Dev is drawing in huge crowds at the theatres. His films are blockbusters.

You are known for your period films. What is it about this genre that you really like?

I like this genre. This is my space. I believe our films should capture our history and tell those stories...look at European films and how they make historical fiction. You’ll see many films on their historical figures. Sadly, we don’t have that many films capturing our history or historical fiction films of our icons. People get to know so much about our history, our culture and our heroes after watching these films. I’m trying it in my own way.

SREEJA DUTTA

Congratulations on being selected to play InduBala in Baghajatin. How does it feel?

It feels like a dream. It’s a huge blessing for me. I am very grateful for this opportunity. Workshops and script-reading sessions have started.

How did all of this happen?

My friend actually alerted me about a post from Dev Entertainment Ventures. They were looking for a female lead in their forthcoming film. I sent my pictures without any expectations as such. I didn’t have a portfolio also. A few days passed, and then one fine day I received a mail saying that I was being considered for an audition for the character of Indubala. Then I went for the audition. I really liked it. It was a new experience for me. Later I got a call from the production house. I felt it would be my second audition. I went to their office this time. I was told that they were thinking about me... I had no clue at that point in time that I would be selected.

Did you meet Dev there?

Yes, I met Devda there for the first time. I was really star-struck. I could not believe it. I am a huge fan of Devdas. He is the hero of our dreams. He made me feel comfortable, spoke to me. I could not believe that I was sitting in front of Dev da. He has such a positive energy about him. It was a whole new experience for me. Later I was called for a look test, and then finally they told me that I was playing Indubala... that I was selected.

Will this be your first time in front of the camera?

Baghajatin will be my first film. But I was part of a short film and music video earlier.

You are in college now. What are your plans now?

I will continue with my studies. I am in my first year now. I will get my degree. No one in my family is connected to films. I watched movies and interviews and like many harbored dreams of acting in films one day. It has finally come true! Along with my studies, I’ll also pursue my passion for acting.

Sreeja Dutta as Indubala