Your film ‘Gondi’ is releasing in theatres in Bangladesh on February 7. Is this your first film here?
It’s my first feature film in Bangladesh, which is being released. I had done a feature film earlier that was with Krishnochura Productions, directed by Afsana Mimi. It was called “The Run.” The film couldn’t be completed for various reasons. That was in fact my first Bangladeshi production. But since it was abandoned, I consider “Gondi” to be my first.
What made you sign up for this film- the role, the co-actor or the director?
Basically, the director (Fakhrul Arefin Khan). Because I have been playing roles like a detective, a policeman or a bad man (laughs), I’ve never played a role like this- a well-behaved, well-educated man, who knows how to talk to ladies with respect, one of those socially acceptable characters.
I, with my looks and all, tend to suit for roles which are a little more tough and aggressive. I asked (the director): “Why are you selecting me for this role?” He said I think you’ll do justice. I said if you have the confidence, I’m willing to give it a try.
After that, I came to know that my co-star is Suborna Mustafa, which also prompted me to say yes because I would get an opportunity to work with her.
What are the aspects of this film that you think the audience will connect with?
I can’t say. I think it’s a good film. I think it has something for everyone- from a youngster to an aged man, from an age range of eight to 80 years. It’s something that everyone can associate themselves with, because it talks of friendship.
It starts off with a friendship between a grandfather and his granddaughter. Then it talks of friendship between two middle-aged people... Friendship is universal, which knows no boundaries, no “Gondi.”
Was there any particular scene or dialogue that blew you away? Anything memorable?
No. It’s not that kind of a film. It’s not like Mithun Chokroborty saying: “Marbo ekhane. Lash porbe shoshane.” No gimmicks. It has relevant dialogues, which pertains to the society we live in. Friendship knows no boundaries- that’s what the theme is all about.
I heard the director calling you ‘Sir.’
Yes. I don’t know why.
Did that impact the power dynamics on set?
I’m a little disappointed with the director, because he was hardly directing me. He used to say: “What can I say? Everything feels fine.” He should’ve directed me a little more than that.
Sabyasachi Chakraborty | Collected
Suborna is known to be strict on set.
She is very strict.
Did she ever make you nervous?
No, never. In fact, she helped me out in many areas. She used to be a little stern with people who lacked efficiency. There were people (on set) who would be tardy. She would say: “Go, get it right now.” Her strictness put in a little more energy into the unit, which I think was logical.
In the trailer, we see your daughter in law complaining about your friendship with this lady (Suborna’s character) and how it’s not acceptable. What do you think we can do to be more open about friendship with someone from the opposite sex?
I think people have to be a little more open minded about this. Because, as I said, friendship knows no barriers. It is unfair to accuse an old man to have an old lady as a friend. I don’t know why the society doesn’t accept it. But at least the American and European society does these days.
Our South Asian societies still don’t accept these ties. We are always a little too skeptical about it. “No, there must be something wrong,” we say. What do you mean by “wrong?”
We also see in the trailer that you’re walking on the beach with Suborna and your hands are slightly touching. We see you alone in a restaurant and that your characters stayed at the same hotel- all very unconventional. Where do you think, in the context of this film, friendship ends and romance begins?
In the mind. It’s absolutely in the mind. There are people who are inclined to be romantically connected, while some people say it’s not necessary.
There are different phases in life. Romance is a phase that starts off earlier in life… Past a certain age, I think a wife becomes a friend to the husband. After a stage, she becomes your walking stick and vice versa. If something happens to my wife, I’m the best friend she can get. A husband ceases to be a husband and becomes a friend.
Since you are most beloved here for playing Feluda, I want to ask you something beyond the “gondi” (boundary) of “Gondi.” You wanted to be a police officer and then an Air Force officer before becoming an actor. I believe there are some similarities with you and Feluda in that aspect. What would you say is the biggest similarity and the biggest difference between you and Feluda?
The biggest similarity between me and Feluda is we both like “Khoyer Chhara Shada Pan.” Feluda is knowledgable, well-read, which I’m not. That’s the difference... Why I like Feluda more than Kakababu is that my father was somewhat like him. Everyone wants to be like his father.
How has your experience in Dhaka been so far?
This is not my first time in Dhaka. I’ve come several times. With a movie, it’s the first time. People here are more cordial. They’re more hospitable and they ooze a lot of Bengali culture, which Kolkata doesn’t.
