The film A Holy Conspiracy, which has been travelling the festival circuit, is all set to release this year. Directed by Saibal Mitra, the film stars Naseeruddin Shah, the late Soumitra Chatterjee and Amrita Chattopadhyay. A The Telegraph chat with Amrita....
What intrigued you about the film?
The film is based on the famous play Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee. The intriguing part is how the story, its essence is contemporary and relevant even today, in 2022. Almost after 100 years of its being!
Tell us about your character?
I play the character of Reshmi Merry Maal. She is the teacher of a small-town school. The story is about how a teacher of science denies to teach a book of religion before his usual science class... which is then blown out of proportion, getting him arrested. A trial follows that questions the importance and need of science versus religion. Reshmi is his fiancee. On the other hand, she is the daughter of the fundamentalist preacher of that town, played by Parthapratim Majumder. Reshmi is torn between her love interest and her father.
What was your first reaction when you got to know that you’d be acting with Naseeruddin Shah and Soumitra Chatterjee?
Honestly it felt surreal. We were introduced to them on the first day of shoot before the scene started. We greeted each other, rehearsed and started shooting. So before the shoot started it was difficult to believe that this is going to happen. And even after the shoot was completed it felt surreal, that this has actually happened! I’ll be forever grateful to Saibalda for this opportunity. It’s unbelievable the way he planned and executed the shoot in such a limited
time.
Naseeruddin Shah in the film.
How was your shooting experience with them? How were they to work with?
I was shocked and super excited at the same time knowing about the cast list. It’s the first and last time in the history of Indian cinema that these two stalwarts acted together.
Did it ever get intimidating sharing screen with them?
Soumitra Chatterjee was extremely unwell, he had a nurse with him always. But the dedication and the excitement with which he shot the film was unbelievable. Naseeruddin Shah, on the other hand, was extremely well prepared with his part. He made sure people acting with him do not get intimidated by him, so he rehearsed with each one he had a long scene with. Between the shoot we got to interact with him a lot. And he was surprisingly gentle and warm. I remember him sitting inside a bus to give me cues in the hot humid May noon in Bolpur so that I get to give my expressions properly, once his angle was shot. I have seen many co-actors from Bengal leaving the floor once their shot is done, just so they can chill inside their make-up van, and then the assistant director gives their cue.
Amrita with Soumitra Chatterjee in the film.
What was your takeaway from the experience?
So after working with these stalwarts it is more and more evident that how much dedication and love and practice towards one’s craft made them excel in the field and sustain for so many years.
The film has travelled the festival circuit. How was the reaction?
The film has travelled to Stuttgart and Pune International Film Festival. Saibalda said that people went silent and could not express immediately what they felt. The impact of the film was visible on people. We all are looking forward to its theatrical release.
How was 2021 for you?
2021 was good work-wise. Shot for some very interesting films and web shows that I am not allowed to talk about in detail now. But I am grateful to the universe for the wonders it did.
What are your resolutions for 2022? Do you set goals for yourself?
The resolution is to be less judgmental and try to be more closer to the truth in every aspect of life. Easier said than done, but will see how it goes.
What are your forthcoming projects?
I have finished shooting for three feature films, a web series and two short films in 2021. Also there are three more feature films awaiting release. Will start shooting for a web series soon.