He was a regular in school dramas, play readings and recitations. He would play the roles of protagonists and direct plays during his school days. Recently National Award-winning director Subhrajit Mitra got an opportunity to revisit his ‘acting days’. Subhrajit plays Professor Biswas, a scientist, in Raajhorshee De’s new film Sada Ronger Prithibi. A t2 chat with Subhrajit.

When did you get the call to act in Raajhorshee De’s Sada Ronger Prithibi?

Raajhorshee called me just a day before the shooting. Actually, the character of Professor Biswas was supposed to be played by another director. But he had to opt out because of his unforeseen directorial commitments at the very last moment. Since Raajhorshee, Srabanti and part of the senior crew members of the film... we all are friends and close associates, my name came up in their urgent meeting to solve the crisis and he called me to enact the part as a friendly appearance.

Were you surprised? What were your initial thoughts?

Surprise would be an understatement. But Raajhorshee is my friend and I can go to any distance for my close associates. I was on a con call with my ADs and production people, coordinating my forthcoming recce. Suddenly I saw Raajhorshee calling me two-three times. I knew he was in the middle of his shooting schedule so I was curious and called him back after some time and he offered me the character. I was to fly to Mumbai on the very next day for a few days because of my pre-production of Devi Chowdhurani. I cancelled my trip, rescheduled my travel and meetings after Raajhorshee’s schedule and said yes to him. I called Srabanti just after that, she was on Raajhorshee’s set itself and was unaware of this casting. We laughed and she encouraged me to go ahead with this decision.

In school or college, did you ever have thoughts of acting in a film someday?

Yes, yes. I have acted before. I played the main character of a Sukumar Ray series for Doordarshan when I was in Class VII. I have acted in Chorabali, my own film. I also did some anchoring for a TV game show on a private channel way back in the ’90s, when I was in college. So facing the camera was nothing new to me.

Have you acted in plays?

I was a regular in school dramas, play readings, and recitations. I never had any stage fright. Most of the time I used to enact the roles of the main protagonists and I also used to direct plays during school days.

Do you act out scenes when you are directing an actor in your own films?

Obviously, without any doubt. I am an extremely possessive director since I write my own screenplays and dialogues. From the script reading session itself, I enact or voice act to help the actors to collaborate with my vision.

Why don’t you regularly act in your own films?

I acted once in Chorabali, my own film. But since I remain extremely involved in the making process, be it writing the screenplay and dialogues, production design, or my most important job as the director where I need to constantly remain extremely involved with my cinematographer and the actors, I find it difficult to concentrate on my acting part if I cast myself.

How did you start preparing for your character?

To be very honest, I did not. Since I am not camera shy, I rather enjoy being the centre of attention. I left it all to my dear friends, Raajhorshee and Soumik, the DOP. As they asked me to perform, I did it, adding my own sensibility to the character.

Tell us about your character.

Professor Biswas is a scientist. He is the husband of the lead protagonist Shibani, which is played by Srabanti. I cannot divulge much details about this character right now as this film is a thriller and it will give away many clues.

You play Srabanti’s husband in the film. And you’ll be directing her in your film soon. What are your thoughts on that?

This is a friendly appearance. I am not a regular professional actor. And do not want to be one also. This was more about spending some good time with my friends... Raajhorshee and Soumik treated us to a sumptuous lunch. Arindamda (Sil) was also there one day. We had a nice adda session one day during a scene break. Mallika, Debosree, and Devlina were there as well who are my friends and juniors. And Srabanti is a very dear close friend and colleague. She is unparalleled in beauty and a diva. It was more of a breather for me from the hectic preproduction schedule of Devi Chowdhurani.

How was your experience acting with Srabanti?

We rehearsed a couple of times for some technical reasons and I offered some suggestions to Raajhorshee and Soumik which they graciously accepted and Srabanti and I acted accordingly. Since we interact regularly for Devi Chowdhurani for various reasons, it was quite a regular affair for us.

How was your Day One on the sets as an actor? Were you nervous?

It was an action sequence in the old lanes of central Calcutta which was coincidentally near to my ancestral house. I grew up in that area. It was nostalgic. I learned my bicycling on those very lanes when I was a kid. The scenes were shot at night, and it drizzled in between the shots. As I said earlier I don’t have stage fright and performing comes naturally to me. Most of the crew members are my longtime associates, so it was like being amongst my own team itself.

How was your final day as an actor?

It was hot and humid and I had to wear a suit in an outdoor location. I was sweating profusely during the shot itself and for that reason had to retake twice to touch up my makeup. The rest went as planned.

What kind of directorial instructions did Raajhorshee have for you?

He instructed me on the planning of the shots. Left the dialogue delivery to my sensibility. Soumik instructed me on the positioning according to his camera placements. It was very collaborative and friendly and I liked the vibe.

What was your takeaway from the acting experience?

It’s fun being on the other side of the camera once in a while, especially if it includes your gorgeous friends as co-actors.