Mumtaz Sorcar is excited about her July 14 film Samaresh Basu’r Projapoti where she plays Shikha, a dancer. “She is an opinionated daredevil who is battling life in the best way she knows and can, with an ambition to dream and live a better life,” says Mumtaz. A t2 chat.
What was your first reaction when you were approached for Samaresh Basu’r Projapoti?
When Subratada (Sen; director) called me for the film and told me about the project, I was in Mumbai shooting for Shabaash Mithu. My dates clashed since I gave almost a complete year for SM’s shoot, so we couldn’t work it out then. I was a bit disappointed as I wanted to work with Subratada again and also I was missing working in Bengal as I was staying away from home extensively working in other lingual cinemas. Once I came back to Calcutta, Subratada called me again saying that he had rescheduled the shoot and if I was available then. Everything worked out and we had a new film we were going to work on together. I was super excited as Shikha, my character in the film, was something I had never done before and the script itself was one of a kind.
Were you familiar with the novel?
I was definitely aware of the novel but I had never read it. In fact, I still haven’t. Subratada asked me not to as well, as he thought I would get biased by it, which I too agree with. He wanted me to approach the script with a fresh mind.
What is the film all about?
I don’t want to get too deep into it as I want the audience to watch it and know what it is all about. Those who have read the novel already know what the story is about… but they would find a different approach to storytelling in the film. It is basically about a thug, the highlights, the turning points and the people who made an impact in his life.
Did you have any doubts or questions about the film or about your character?
I did not have any particular doubts about the film other than the usual question of how it was going to come across to people once it was made, especially since it is based on a novel that was banned and also as it’s not a typical run-of-the-mill film… but that is something we all wonder before every film. I was excited and contemplating how to approach Shikha’s character. Subratada briefed me about how he was seeing Shikha and then gave me a complete free hand to play her.
How did you prepare for the role?
Well, first I had to come out of the ‘Jhulan’ mode. I remember Subratada actually telling me on the day of the look set — “Mumtaz tui kintu ekhuno Jhulan mode e achish!” Next, I lost some inches to look the part. Then, of course, I thought about how to approach her, keeping in mind that Shikha might be a poor girl from the mofussil but she is a macha dancer by profession, hence she should have a hint of glam in her, keeping the neediness alive.
Tell us about the dance song in the film.
Yes! I dance to the song Dim-Pauruti sung by Arob Chowdhury. The song is sarcastically funny and definitely leaves one humming it. It was shot in Purulia with a live audience. People flocked from different places to watch a live macha performance, not knowing who the performer was. Once we started shooting it… obviously, they realised that it was a shoot but they happily took part in it… the most hilarious part was that our chief AD Nintu Biswas was actually taking them to task if they didn’t react to something the way we wanted. For me, the most challenging part was to keep dancing impromptu... we didn’t have a choreographer, something Subratada had told me from the beginning... while listening to all the crass comments that were spurted out by the intoxicated audience.
I had to turn a deaf ear to it all... just listen to the music, focus where the camera was amidst the crowd and dance. Initially, I did get conscious as the dance needed to be a bit provocative… and this was the first time I was dancing in front of a ‘wild’ audience that too a bit provocatively. But once I blurred out my surroundings and focused only on the camera and the task at hand… I relaxed. We wrapped up the song sequence pretty smoothly without any major interference. It was definitely an experience I will remember.
The film has this very realistic gritty milieu. What were your first thoughts about it?
That is the essence it had to have. I loved it! I cannot imagine Samaresh Basu’r Projapoti any other way.
What kind of questions did you have for the director?
Other than the general questions about my character and certain scenes, I kept asking him if he was fine with how I was enacting Shikha. Subratada is extremely chill to work with. He gets his work done without giving unnecessary pressure to his actors, or anybody as a matter of fact.
How was the shooting experience?
I had a blast shooting. A Subrata Sen film set is calm, relaxed and fun. It has always been fun to work with Subratada. As I have worked with him before hence I knew how he is like on set and what to expect. His whole team is very efficient. As for my co-actor Subrata Dutta… well, he is one of my fave co-actors to work with. I have worked with him before… he is hassle-free, calm, genuine and takes care of me or anyone like an older brother. I didn’t have any scenes with Rwitobroto (Mukherjee) and Sritama... so missed working with them... both have done such a wonderful job. Lastly, I must mention Bhavik M Pandya, who is one of the most supportive producers we have come across.
What is your takeaway from the film?
I learn from every film that I have done and will do. A film set is like a classroom for me. My directors are my teachers, my co-actors my classmates who make learning fun and competitive. With every film, I discover myself. I have learnt a lot over the years and still have a lot to learn. It is an endless process.
As for the film/ story/ script of Samaresh Basu’r Projapoti… I take away what I have already understood long back but have been reminded… it is our personal choices that make us. What we do and how we do it is what defines us. We always have the choice to say no… but how we say no and what we say no to is what paves our path.
Arindam Chatterjee
