Expected to be a family entertainer that addresses the conflict between science and astrology, Shastri, the upcoming Puja release, stars Mithun Chakraborty and Debasree Roy in pivotal roles. t2 sat down for a chat with the two celebrated actors who have come together in a film after more than a decade.
The film is about astrology. Are you a believer?
Mithun: Yes, I am a believer. I believe that the stars control everything. Look, we all know that the movement of the moon influences the oceans’ tides. In the same way, I believe that the stars and planets also influence our lives. My own life is proof of that. Life is unpredictable, and mine has been nothing short of a miracle. I believe that my rise to fame and stardom from a very humble background could not have happened unless the stars aligned favourably for me. I am also aware that it is impossible for any astrologer to predict anything 100 per cent accurately. Yet I am a strong believer in the power of the planets to guide people’s destiny. I also believe that there is much more to life and our universe than what can be explained by science.
Debasree: I am very much a believer and used to take regular astrological advice from an elder cousin, whose predictions were very precise. Now that he is no more, I don’t know who to consult.
What was it about the film that made you want to be a part of it?
Mithun: I have now reached a stage of life where I do not accept any role unless it hits different. I try to look for films whose themes are a little out of the box, and whose approach to the subject is original. What attracted me to Shastri was its debate between belief in a higher power and scepticism. The film shows that science has an answer to everything in the universe, but up to a point. What is beyond the purview of science is what I prefer to call God.
Debasree: The fact that it deals with a totally new subject attracted me to the project. I am sure no Bengali film has ever been made on the ideas discussed in Shastri. Another factor is definitely Mithunda. We pair extremely well together on screen and I am very comfortable working with him. I must also mention that Bittu (Soham Chakraborty), who used to be my favourite child co-actor, is another reason why I signed up for this film.
The film is set for a Puja release. In what ways do you think the film will connect with the audience at a festive time?
Mithun: One one level, Shastri has many ritualistic elements. But on a deeper level, it is important to watch this film at this time, as it helps us understand where we stand in life. You see, all of us are hankering for something; we are waiting for some magic to happen and fulfil our desires. Shastri is the personification of that magic. People allow themselves to be exploited by the magician when they buy stones, wear amulets, offer pujas and so on. But the reason why people should see this film is it will enable them to decide for themselves whether they will follow the path chosen by Shastri or the opposite route as shown by science. Otherwise their yearning for a miracle will make them trapped forever in a cycle of misery and despair.
Debasree: Those who fight to survive will relate to this film. In Shastri, Mithunda’s character waits for fortune to shine on him every day. I think middle-class viewers will identify with the crisis shown in this film very well.
It’s been 14 years since you were paired together in a film. How did it feel and what kind of chemistry did you share?
Debasree: I am really excited to be working with Mithunda again after so many years. Though we have worked in many films together, the very idea of sharing screen space with him is something I always look forward to. Our chemistry on screen is very organic; it comes to us naturally after having worked for so long with each other.
Mithun: She was paired alongside me in her first lead role in Nadi Theke Sagore (1978), which was also my first Bengali film. I have very fond memories of that film. Since then, we have worked in several films together and share a very unique, close relationship, which even extends to our families. Debasree and I have delivered a string of superhit films from Troyee (1982) to MLA Phatakeshto (2006). So even though the experience this time was different, working on this film rekindled a lot of old memories.
What was it like working with director Pathikrit Basu?
Mithun: Pathikrit is very intelligent and technically perfect. He is also the kind of filmmaker who is on the lookout for unusual stories. Though only time will tell whether or not the film will be a success, I can safely say that the story is one of its kind and I spent a wonderful time working on the film with him.
Debasree: This film blends the best of a content-driven plot with the elements of a commercial entertainer. This was achieved very well by Pathikrit. After ages, I got the feeling that I was working in a commercial film.
Tell us something about your character that made you eager to portray the role.
Mithun: What fascinated me about my character is his deep faith in God. He talks to God. What also drew me to the character is his simplicity. He is poor, has a wife and a son. But he always craves for magic to change his life completely. And when it does happen, he changes into this phenomenon called Shastri. The transformation is massive. And then there is a reverse transformation and finally, he has his moment of epiphany.
Debasree: My character has a say in the way the story turns. She starts off as a wife who is happily married though her husband is poor. Later, her decision to leave him proves how sad and upset she is with him. That she decided to end her marital relationship because of her principles, appealed to me a lot.
Projapoti and Kabuliwala were box-office successes. How excited are you about this phase of your career in Bengali films?
Mithun: I don’t see this as a different chapter in my career at all. I have worked in Bengali films all through. Probably there was a gap of some years before Projapoti because I got busy with other projects. But I have been working again in Bengali films one after the other, since the last few years.
Tributes have poured in for Mrinal Sen since his centenary last year. Can you share any memory of him from your Mrigayaa days?
Mithun: I would just like to say one thing — he is the father figure in my life. He came into my life as an angel, taught me like an angel and transformed me from a nobody to a somebody.
Having worked with the best filmmakers since the ’80s, you are now working with the younger crop of directors. How do you think the style of films and filmmaking has evolved over the decades?
Mithun: I would like to say that the emotions are still the same, though there have been huge technical advancements. Another change is the corporatisation of the industry, which has vested power in these business houses, who manage the whole process. An unfortunate consequence of this is that many people who would previously find work as part of a film’s unit have now been rendered jobless.
When you are not shooting, how do you spend an ordinary day?
Debasree: I usually prefer to devote time to my NGO Animal World and spend time with the rescued animals there. Besides, I try to watch any good movies recommended by my friends. I often meet up with friends at Tolly Club, where I also get to meet some of my furry, four-legged friends.
What are your memories of Unishe April and of Rituparno Ghosh.
Debasree: Oh, that became such a cult film. We understood from the time we read the script that it would turn out to be something exceptional. I am flooded with memories whenever I am reminded of this film. I am grateful that Rituparno gave me the opportunity to work on the film, which dealt with such a sensitive subject.
Location: Westin Kolkata
Styling: Rajarshi Mukherjee
Costume: Taneira / Ananda / Anjali Jewellers
Hair: Sharmistha
Makeup: Suvendu
