On a sunny Sunday afternoon, Rituparna Sengupta warmly welcomed a curious crowd at Wind of Change Cafe and launched her manager and friend Sharmistha Mukherjee’s new production house, Endeavour Films. Rituparna and Sharmistha have been connected with each other for over a decade and while talking about their first meeting both said: “We just clicked!”
Kolkata Endeavour Society is a non-profit organisation which was founded by Sharmistha’s late father where several aspects of social work are looked upon, including the empowerment of women and children. The non-profit is now headed by Rituparna with Sarmishtha’s mother, Suparna Mukherjee, as the president of the organisation. Having been an executive producer for several Bengali films, Sharmistha’s role as the owner of Endeavour Films will be another feather in her cap while she will continue her diligent work as Rituparna’s manager and Kolkata Endeavour Society will carry on the social work.
Sharmistha and Rituparna unveil Endeavour Films
Rituparna said: “There was a lot of scepticism when our enigmatic invite was sent to people. I love living in surprises and giving them to others as well because they add flavour to our lives. Nowadays nothing is a surprise to us anymore because everything is exposed, revealed and done. I feel some things should not be told, some emotions that should be reserved and something to be explored.” With Chaiti Ghoshal and Amartya Ray (Chaiti’s son) present at the venue, Rituparna also talked about their upcoming film Nevermind: “I thought the concept of ‘nevermind’ must be incorporated in our lives. No matter what happens in our lives, nevermind!”
She was soon talking about Endeavour Films: “We have started a new company called Endeavour Films and we want to do new work through this venture. We have not decided on any project yet so we welcome all your advice and input. Sharmistha is the one who will take Endeavour Films ahead while I am the heart of the production house. As continuation of International Women’s Day, if I am a powerful woman, I simply want to empower others and do some reasonably good work.”
Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee, who was also present at the event, chipped in: “Rituparna Sengupta is one of the few humans in the city who has actually empowered a lot of men and the kind of philanthropy that she practices is very inspiring because she does not make noise about it.”
As a cake was cut on the joyous occasion, the woman of the hour, Sharmistha Mukherjee said: “Didi (Rituparna) has not just familiarised me with cinema but she is also the thread that ties my family together. I don’t usually get an opportunity to thank her, so on this day I want to mention that Didi has always fulfilled all my wishes. She is the magic wand of my life. Didi, you are great!” She went on to say: “Endeavour Films would not have been possible without my Bhavna Aaj O Kal (Rituparna’s production house) family. On this occasion, I miss Sreeladi (late Bengali actress Sreela Majumdar) a lot. Her words, “Darling, be very successful! I will be there in your first film, right?”, are ringing in my ears.”
In a chat with t2, Rituparna said: “I have a tonne of memories with Sharmistha. We actually met on the sets of one of my favourite films, Muktodhara, which was a landmark title. There I found a very coy and docile girl named Sharmistha who was always on her feet. She was the youngest executive producer at that time. While she could not talk to me initially, as days passed by she amassed courage and we started talking. Shiboprosad (Mukherjee) gave her the designated duty of handling Project Rituparna Sengupta. She is the one who was there to supervise my part, she would take me to shoots, handle my dates and handle me, at large. When I was doing Belaseshe, she was looking for a transition. That is when I said that next thing, you are here and not there. It is a steal! She felt much more comfortable in my periphery.”
Everything began when Kolkata Endeavour Society was formed. The Society is also engaged with Life Beyond Cancer, One Rishta, Bhavna Aaj O Kal and several other organisations. “Whilst pursuing philanthropy we decided to start Endeavour Films simultaneously where we could make short films, feature films and more. It is my wish that the first project is a travel-based one (travelogue). Additionally, Sharmistha and I share much deeper a bond than that of a manager and artiste. We are like sisters and I am also very close to her mother. The audience can expect all very beautiful and meaningful stuff,” she added.
While talking to t2, a beaming Sharmistha said: “Didi (Rituparna) and I go way back. One day she talked about branching out. Cinema is a medium through which we can connect with individuals the fastest. We were earlier educating people through Endeavour and now we will entertain them. We were in Bombay last week when Didi told me about my new role. She has immense contribution to my life and I hope I can do justice to this role. I had also told her that I would constantly need her advice and confirmation on decisions.”
She credits Shiboprosad Mukherjee with introducing her to the world of films and is inspired by Satyajit Ray. She said: “We are in the middle of script banking right now and listening to several stories but nothing has caught our eye yet. I really wish Rituparna Sengupta would star in the first film produced by me. I am not consciously looking for a women-centric film but it would be great if that would be the theme of our first film.”