They have been paired opposite each other in the Hoichoi original Manbhanjan as Giribala and Gopinath and the chemistry is sparkling. When we approached them to recreate a magical reel pair, Sohini’s vote instantly went to Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan. “We are both tall and we’ll look good,” she told us. ITC Sonar’s Sundarban lawns was our Pahalgam and the Keukenhof tulip gardens of The Netherlands. As Anirban and Sohini got into their costumes, the hotel staff at the five-star property on the EM Bypass helped us bring alive the essence of the song Dekha ek khwab from the cult Silsila.
Sohini Sarkar and Anirban Bhattacharya channel Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha from Silsila
Star talk
The Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha jodi…
Sohini: I have done Madhabi Mukhopadhyay’s look in Abhijaan and I have seen recreating a look is difficult. The concept is fun and such popular pairs! I love watching Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan together. There is a certain magic. Besides Silsila, I also like Mr. Natwarlal. Rekha had a banjara look in the film.
Anirban: The concept is interesting. That even after so many years, there is a reference to them as a romantic pair and we are being made to recreate it, it’s wonderful. Aamra toh aar obhigyota korini, kintu aamra shunechi je Amitabh Bachchan aar Rekha’r moddhe ekta prem’r shomporko chhilo….
What makes for the great chemistry?
Anirban: The secret is prem and bhalobasha.
Sohini: Maya…
Anirban: Maya, momota, sneho, caring and simultaneously grudge and desperation... everything associated with love.
Working with each other…
Sohini: There is a lot of comfort. We have known each other for so many years and worked together too. The chemistry is great and I can tell him things uninhibited. I can also fight with him, raag korte pari... shob kichhu hote pare. When he is directing, baba... he is in a different mode.
The Telegraph: Serious?
Sohini: He is always serious. Have you ever seen him laughing or cracking jokes?
Anirban: Ei jothesto aami adda mari, hasha hashi kori! Ki ulto palta...
Everyone goes ROFL
Sohini: As a co-actor, he is very caring and as a director he is caring in a different way. When Mandaar’s look was being set, I didn’t have to tell him to clear out the room….
Anirban: What matters is the relationship between two human beings. I have been working with her for almost a decade. I have worked with her consistently at intervals and industry te ekmatro or shongey korechhi.... that’s an experience. Beyond work there is a connection which gives birth to the comfort. I feel when you are going to act, the duty of an actor is that shey manush hishebe ja, shetake open up and vulnerable kore rakha. It is an actor’s work to expose himself and lay it bare completely. As a director, you have to keep the channel of communication clear. I have to explain to her my vision with all my capacities and it is up to her to execute it with all her capacities. The actor is the bridge between the director’s idea and the audience.
And, the special plea...
Anirban: That we are interested to work together and that a particular chemistry is reflected on the stage or screen when we work together, shey proman aamra nijo udyogey bar bar rekhe jachhi! Now we have to come together and do something ourselves. Please cast us. Shobai ke niyei toh bhaba hochhe, tahole aamader niyei ba bhaba jabe na keno?
Team talk
“Recreating something so iconic is itself exciting and working with The Telegraph is always fun. I was also working with two of my favourite actors and gave it a touch of my aesthetics to it, which was was exciting. The pairing is iconic. The use of poncho over a salwar kurta was quite a trend” said Roy Abhishek, who put the look and wardrobe together.
Hair and make-up assistant: Sananda Mondal Laha
Special thanks: ITC Sonar