After his praiseworthy performance as Manas in Kalki 2898 AD, veteran actor Saswata Chatterjee is back making waves with Jamlaye Jibonto Bhanu, a fictionalised retelling surrounding Bhanu Bandopadhyay. The Telegraph Online spoke to the talented star about stepping into the giant shoes of Bhanu Bandyopadhyay, his insights from past interactions with the legend, his upcoming plans, and more.
When did Jamalaye Jibonto Bhanu come to you?
Saswata Chatterjee: When I first met Bhanu jethu’s younger son in America, he’d told me I should be the one to do any film that happens on his father since he finds a resemblance between Bhanu jethu and me. So, although I don’t know how the project came to Krishnendu’s (Chatterjee) mind, I didn’t think twice before saying yes to it. Though I never thought that I looked like him, even Bhanu jethu’s elder brother and daughter have remarked on our resemblance many times. And I did end up finding some resemblance to Bhanu jethu in a few scenes from Sandip Ray’s Jekhane Bhooter Bhoye. Getting an opportunity like this is quite rare.
How did you prepare for your role?
Saswata Chatterjee: There were no such preparations involved. I grew up watching Bhanu jethu, and it has remained with me since childhood. I have watched Jamalye Jibonto Manush many times. I remember every scene from the film. So, I simply took precautions to be exact when we had to recreate those few scenes from that film.
You visited Bhanu Bandopadhyay’s film shoots as a child. Do you have any memories to share?
Saswata Chatterjee: Although I have hardly been to his house, barring the one time he was unwell, I used to often go to the shoots with my father. I remember Bhanu jethu was once giving a shot for Nidhiram Sardar and it was so funny that I laughed out loud. The scene had to be called to cut as it was with direct sound. Bhanu jethu asked, “Who made the noise?” and was told that Subhendu Chatterjee’s son. Since I had seen the shot and laughed, he considered it a hit. He made me sit on his lap and click photos. That apart, I have seen a lot of his plays. He would rule Hatibagan’s theatre para. I watched Joy Maa Kali Boarding so many times that I lost count, and every time I went to his shows he would say, “Oh, tui abar eshechis, ja boshe por” (Oh, you’ve come again, go and take a seat).
What did you imbibe from him as an actor?
Saswata Chatterjee: Unconsciously, there must have been a lot of things inside me or else I wouldn’t have been able to do the film. Maybe if I had not known him, I would have had to do research and other preparations.
What are your favourite Bhanu Bandopadhyay films?
Saswata Chatterjee: Ashite Ashiyona, Bhanu Goyenda Jahar Assistant, Bhanu Pelo Lottery, Nirdharita Shilpir Anupusthitite, and Jamalye Jibanto Manush are my other favourites. I love Sharey Chuattor, a film from his early days. He was so natural in the film, you would not even feel it was acting. Very few people are born with this power. Be it Bengali or Hindi cinema, there are very few comedians who are the protagonists and have films centred around them. He was one of the rare ones. The audience has stamped him as a comedic hero.
How was working with Krishnendu Chatterjee?
Saswata Chatterjee: I believe very complicated people can’t write comedy. Krishnendu is a very easygoing person and his comedy is on point. He has been associated with Mirakkel for a long time and many great scripts have come from his hands. He is very clear with his vision and it is very easy to work with him.
What is next for you?
Saswata Chatterjee: I plan not to work in West Bengal if I don’t get something really interesting. For now, I have Metro In Dino by Anurag Basu and Neeraj Pandey’s Khakee 2. I have also done a series, The Cleanup Crew, for Jio Cinemas.
