'Regional cinema gives space for experimentation'

Recognised for his simple yet serious role in his debut feature Tum Bin, Priyanshu Chatterjee has spent a decade in the film industry. So far, the 39-year-old actor has been seen in supporting roles, which is also the case with the just-released Rajdhani Express directed by Ashok Kohli.

In a chat with Metrolife, the actor talks about his role and his inclination towards Bengali cinema. “I am playing the role of a writer BC Banerjee in the movie, who takes refuge behind showing off because he is aware that he is shallow from inside. So he resorts to plagiarism to survive in the film industry.

Subsequently, as the story unfolds, he realises that he is also spineless and cannot take a stand on any matter for which he pays a heavy price.”

Priyanshu prefers to do one film at a time. “I don’t do many projects at one go,” he explains, who did his last Hindi movie Chintuji in 2009 and has done some Bengali movies in this three year gap. What kept the actor at bay from Hindi movies for so long? “There isn’t any particular reason.  No interesting script come my way or the role did not appeal to me.”

Though born and brought up in Delhi, Priyanshu Chatterjee is a known face in Bengali cinema. He has done movies like Moner Manush, Bhorer Allo, Iti Mrinalini opposite Aparna Sen and Konkana Sen. Ask him what attracts him towards Bengali cinema, he says, “The movies might not be big budget but as an actor I get an opportunity to work with talented director and actors.” He will be next seen in Goutam Ghose’s Bengali movie Shunyo Awnko, opposite Konkana Sen this year.

Priyanshu, who looks for variation in characters instead of budget of the films, says, “Regional cinema gives space for experimentation. They are not entirely commercial. The stories might be based on novels but the way it is executed, is something worthy of being learnt.” 

Regional cinema also gives him a chance to work with legendary filmmakers – his preferred reason for working in Bengali cinema. “Working with prominent filmmakers is a rare chance and if Bengali cinema is giving me that opportunity then why should I not avail it?” Explaining his point, he says, “The present generation of directors (in Bollywood) has completely dried up. However, in Bengal still there are filmmakers who stick to the true nature of filmmaking. Working with them is a learning experience.”

So, is the actor not willing to do movies with young filmmakers? “No, it is not like that. I look for a good director,  script and above all my evolution as an actor with every movie. If young filmmakers fall in that category I go for it ,” he says.