Twelve years after Baishe Srabon, Prosenjit Chatterjee returns as the fiery, brooding and ill-tempered cop Probir Roy Chowdhury in Srijit Mukherji’s cop universe prequel Dawshom Awbotaar, slated to release at the theatres on October 19. Prosenjit talked to us about the challenges of playing a younger version of Probir and his evolving bond with Srijit.

Was revisiting Probir Roy Chowdhury — your character from Baishe Srabon — in Dawshom Awbotaar challenging or within your comfort zone?

Prosenjit: I had called Srijit during Dwitiyo Purush and asked him, ‘Where is Probir Roy Chowdhury in the sequel of Baishe Srabon?’ He said he would get Probir Roy Chowdhury back. It took him 12 years to do that.

When Srijit read out the script of Dawshom Awbotaar to me, I asked him what age exactly he wanted Probir to be. Going back so many years was definitely challenging to me. For an actor, playing a character like Probir is a blessing. I never thought I would do this again. But it came with a bigger challenge because Probir is eight years younger than where we saw him in Baishe Srabon.

In Baishe Srabon, Probir was suspended from duty. He would lock himself up in a room and be physically inactive. In Dawshom Awbotaar, he is active and involved in field work. I had to go back 20 years to get into the character. It itself is a challenge. I loved doing this. I was excited because I knew this character would bring back the nostalgia and it did.

Did you take inspiration from any real-life police officer to play this role?

Prosenjit: Not really, but I met a lot of police officers in Kolkata and had conversations with them to understand their psyche and how they behave. That is how I imbibed their characteristics. This role was physically challenging for me. It took me two months to become Probir Roy Chowdhury again. I followed a strict diet and trained in the gym. I had to look younger than Baishe Srabon’s Probir Roy Chowdhury.

How has your relationship with Srijit as actor and director evolved since Autograph?

Prosenjit: My first work with Srijit, Autograph, was a superhit. People wait for Srijit and Prosenjit’s pairing. It is a different level of excitement and fun when it comes to working with Srijit.

We have done nine films together. Our bond is like that of a couple. When a couple gets married, their chemistry and understanding develops over time. Srijit and my bond has also developed over time. We have our share of disagreements. If Srijit suggests something I honour it, and if I suggest something he honours that. He has evolved as a director. He is not the same person I had met during Autograph. He has a long body of work. The understanding between us is clearer. I always say that the relationship between a director and an actor is like that of a husband and wife. It is true for us.

For this film, both of our visions were to bring back the cult character of Probir Roy Chowdhury. It was challenging for both of us. Srijit has technically evolved a lot. Baishe Srabon was shot on 35mm; it had a Hollywood feel. But even after shooting in digital, Srijit has maintained that feel in Dawshom Awbotaar.

The Probir Roy Chowdhury-Bijoy Poddar team-up has got people excited. How did you and Anirban Bhattacharya build the chemistry?

Prosenjit: I always like to spend time with my co-stars. I get to learn a lot from them. Anirban is a very powerful actor. Probir and Bijoy Poddar will be a hit pair. We get to see such pairs in Hollywood — one senior officer and one junior officer. Two people together become one character.

We both have enjoyed this pairing. I feel young actors have changed the language of acting. To work with them, I will have to learn from them. I always ask them after a shot, ‘Was I good?’

What kind of roles are you interested in at this stage of your career?

Prosenjit: I have done almost all kinds of roles. I don’t want to do monotonous roles anymore. I don’t want to repeat myself. But someday I really wish to play a role like Marlon Brando’s in Godfather.

What is next in the pipeline for you?

Prosenjit: I will start shooting for Kaushik Ganguly’s next film, which happens to be mine and Rituparna Sengupta’s 50th film together. I am also excited about Subhrajit Mitra’s Devi Choudhurani.