Soham and Rittika started out early in the Bengali film industry and both made a mark as talented child actors. While Soham’s career spans 33 years, Rittika has been acting for 15 years. They came together for the first time in the film Jio Pagla and got praise for their easy-going camaraderie in fun scenes. And now Soham and Rittika star in the film Miss Call, which releases today in theatres. A The Telegraph chat...

RITTIKA

Rittika, you started shooting for films down South post-lockdown last year...

I’m a workaholic... and I have been acting since the age of five. Cinema is passion for me. It’s great that Miss Call is releasing now. I shot for a few films last year down South. Post-lockdown I started with Naanga Romba Busy, and it felt so good to be shooting once again. I felt I’m alive. My film Dagaalty released early last year.

Apart from watching movies, how did you keep yourself busy during the lockdown?

I sharpened my cooking skills. I rustled up all kinds of things, from dal, bhaat, maachher jhol to biryani. My mom is a very good cook... I think I’ve inherited that talent from her (smiles). I still cook when I’m free.

Would you like to act in Bengali web?

I would like to act in Bengali web films or series as long as the story and my character are good. I love watching thrillers on OTT platforms.

What are your thoughts on Miss Call?

It’s a really good, entertaining mainstream film. I feel the audience needs a nice entertainer to cheer them up. The magic of cinema is irreplaceable.

Miss Call is shrouded in mystery. It starts off as a rom-com and then moves into the thriller territory...

Two unknown people who have never seen each other in their lives connect over phone. They develop a friendship, bond deeply and start chatting over the phone for hours. One can connect with the situation since we all have caught up with fellow students from the same tuition or college over phone calls to exchange notes or to know each other better.

In the film, the characters don’t know each other’s backgrounds and gradually it takes a dangerous turn.

Tell us about your character in Miss Call?

Leela is very different from the girls one sees in college. Her father is really strict and she is scared of her father. She doesn’t have her own phone. She enters a competition, comes first and gets a phone as a prize. And Bittuda plays someone who is very helpful.

How was it like working with Soham?

Bittuda is a very strong actor. And if you are working with a solid actor, automatically your own level of performance goes up. He is extremely helpful, and even guided me through some of my scenes. We first worked together in Jio Pagla. Raviji (Kinagi) is the connect for both films.

You had stared out as a child actor. How do you look back on your journey now?

I have been acting for 15 years now. I learnt so much from this industry. I am grateful to have worked with so many people over the years.

I was in a film called Bor Ashbe Ekhuni, which had Jisshuda (Sengupta) in it. And I was part of a song featuring him. The film came out in 2008. Years later I had one romantic scene with Jisshuda in Aparna Sen’s Arshinagar. And I was so embarrassed while shooting it. Of course Jisshuda did not remember it during the shoot. Initially, I would look at him and then look down. Finally I told him (smiles).

I have been working with Raviji for many years. He is like a father figure to me in the world of cinema.

SOHAM

How is the feedback till now?

The feedback from the Miss Call trailer and songs is really good. The storyline, the drama, emotions, the thrill and suspense have really connected. The twist in the story have deepened the level of intrigue. The audience is really curious about the film.

Tell us about your character?

Krishna is really stressed, and completely tied down with his work; he has no time for himself or to think about himself. He is busy coordinating office tours... he is a pool car driver as well. One day he connects with Leela over phone. They start talking and a friendship develops between them.

Talking about making phone calls, have you played a prank on someone over phone?

I remember doing it once many, many years ago. I was shooting for a film, and during a break spotted an ad in a paper. The ad called out to new actors with a promise to give them a chance in the industry. So I called up and asked them how they plan to go about it. The woman on the other end of the line actually quoted a certain sum of money. And I told her, ‘Madam, I thought one gets paid for acting in films and you are asking me for money!’

How was your experience of working with Rittika?

Very good. Our first film together was a light-hearted one but Miss Call has a serious, emotional depth to it. She has put in a fine performance in the film, has done really well. And with Raviji, I have already done four-five films. I know how he likes to work. He has a lot of faith in me. Miss Call has a nice story with drama and an emotional drive, and lovely songs.

What are your thoughts on the OTT vs cinema hall debate?

These days the focus for making films is in selecting unique, relevant stories that are told well. The films should be made in such a way that people really feel the urge to step out of their homes and watch the film in the theatres. This is our challenge too.

OTT is the future but the magic of cinema is in the theatres. For producers, financial security comes in a large extent through satellite rights and OTT sales. For films, if the response is good in theatres, its digital rate might also go up. We have to be patient for now. One thing is clear: one has to deliver quality films. It feels good to have my film Black streaming on Netflix now.

I have produced a film — Kolkatar Harry and I’m doing web also. I’m in talks for new films as well.

You started out as a child actor, and you have completed 33 years in films. How do you look back on it now?

I have grown up here. The film industry is like family to me. It is an emotion. There was a lot of struggle initially, but I was determined to see it through. It feels good now.

Picture: B. Halder

Location: Blu Orchid