The film Bhootpori focuses on a woman who passes away, and a little boy encounters her restless soul. Seeking assistance, the woman relies on the boy to unravel the mystery behind her demise. Jaya Ahsan takes on the role of the ghost, and Bishantak Mukherjee plays the child. The film explores a unique bond between the living and the departed as the emotional storyline promises a blend of heartwarming moments and thrilling twists. Directed by Soukarya Ghosal, Bhootpori (which releases in theatres today) also features a stellar cast including Ritwick Chakraborty, Shantilal Mukherjee, and Sudipta Chakraborty. A t2 chat with Jaya...

What was your first reaction when you were offered Bhootpori?

I was very happy... here’s this opportunity to play a ghost for the first time. I am always on the lookout for playing different kinds of characters. And I had seen Soukarya’s films earlier. As I started playing the character I got to discover a lot about her. I remember asking Soukarya questions about the psychology of ghosts.

Did you grow up on a diet of ghost stories?

Yes, there was a tradition at my home... but I was the one scaring people with my ghost stories. I still love to scare people on the sets during shoots. If we go to a remote place to shoot, I try to set up a situation where I can scare someone. I am almost searching for ghosts. I speak to the local people and try to gather as many ghost stories as possible. Armed with those stories, I set out on my mission to scare someone (laughs).

I guess I like to surprise people. In my childhood, it was more about gaining an advantage or having a sense of power over my cousins. They would be in thrall of my narrative prowess... they would listen to my stories with rapt attention and then think of me as someone who had access to this supernatural world. I had a wonderful time then.

Have you tried to scare a director or actor?

No... aura ektu paka hoye! But I did manage to scare a producer once on set. I made him believe that I was a ghost, and later that evening whenever he would see me he would stay away. So I actually played a ghost in real life and put in a lot of effort.

Have you ever had a ghost scare?

Not really... I have travelled and seen so much that these things don’t scare me easily. In fact, I have experienced supernatural energies... but I did not get afraid. I have had the feeling that someone was pulling on my blanket while I was sleeping. I remember clinging on to the blanket tightly.... but a force was trying to snatch it away from me. This happened maybe 10 years ago, and that force succeded in pulling away my blanket. Sometimes I feel someone is lurking by the door... I get a heavy feeling.

How do you explain this? Do you believe in ghosts?

I like to believe that they exist... they might have their own world, which we cannot understand. There is a certain kind of energy that one cannot explain. As long as they don’t cause any harm to anyone, I don’t mind a scenario where humans and ghosts live together in harmony. They can lead their own lives peacefully... eat and sleep and mind their own business. It is not like they are encroaching on my space. They are not occupying anything. I almost invite ghosts to come to me.

You don’t find it odd or eerie?

Not at all... they are not causing pain or hurt... they can travel anywhere or do anything... humans tend to follow or stalk or watch someone secretly or harm a person.

Do you like watching horror films?

I like horror where there’s a blend of fantasy, romcom and emotions. Just like Bhootpori, which is an emotional tale. I got scared when I watched The Exorcist for the first time. Now, horror films don’t scare me much since I understand the inherent logic in them.

How did you prepare for Bhootpori?

The script helped a lot. Soukarya wrote the characters really well. Usually in films, we see how humans are affected by ghosts. In Bhootpori, the reverse happens. Once my character becomes a ghost she understands the true nature of the people around her... are they honest or fake? Later she meets a kid and over time they establish a connection. The kid is not really scared of ghosts. He is the youngest hero of my career (laughs).

The location of the film is perfect for setting a ghost story...

The location was amazing... but lots of snakes were around while we were shooting. It was during summer and really hot. But then once the camera rolls, we forget everything, from the snakes to the heat. We get possessed by the ghost of cinema.

What can the audience expect from Bhootpori?

A ghost story that is laden with emotions... there is a psychological edge to it too... and the kids will enjoy this film. It does not just remain limited to horror and ghosts. While unraveling the truth behind the woman’s murder, the film touches upon the crime-thriller genre as well.