How much pressure do you feel being hailed as the NEW Uttam-Suchitra of Bengali cinema?
Rituparna Sengupta: He is the god of Bengali cinema, and we worship him. Whenever I am told that these names are the next names, I feel very proud. I think we’ve done a good job, but at the same time, I think we’re legends. We cannot touch them. But being compared validates that everyone loves us so much that they make the comparison. Professor Chatterjee: First of all, Uttam and Suchitra are legends and they are like our masters. The audience sometimes compares us because Ritu and I have done a lot of work and people have loved us for years. But we are not even close to Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen.
Ajogyo is the 50th film where you will be seen together…
Percentage: It has been a long journey with many ups and downs. Our commercial films have worked well and our friendship and bond as actors has translated on screen. We started getting to know each other better, and there was a time when we didn’t work together for 14 years. This chemistry is difficult to describe because I believe it has been created and received by the audience and filmmakers who have believed in us. We have also evolved as actors. We are no longer the heroes and heroines we once were. But when we come on screen with a certain aura or maturity, thanks to the director and writer, the audience likes and wants to see us together. Our friendship, bond, and professionalism are high. We are very good friends, there is no doubt about that.
Rituparna: I don’t know if we’re friends or not, but there’s a certain energy that works when we come on screen. The energy is infectious and hard to describe – it just happens. There is magic. The beauty of our bond and partnership lies in our professionalism, and of course, we respect each other.
How did you find your character in Ajogyo with yourself?
Percentage: In one way, I can say that we cannot define love, right? Everyone has tried, but can you define love? It was very difficult. My character defines love differently, which I relate to because I believe that love cannot be defined. It changes with time.
Rituparna: I have to say that everyone can identify with the character because there are quite a few of them. As a tired middle class woman as well as a working woman, I think many women can relate to her. This film has many layers, full of surprises, drama, and interesting relationship situations.
Rituparna, what do you think about modern relationships?
Rituparna: They become more complex, with gray areas becoming gray. There are times when people cannot find their way out. I believe Ajogyo will give you a new insight into relationships. It will give a deep look into people’s thoughts and relationship problems. The current tendency is to leave the relationship and break up, which is easy. But staying in a relationship, facing daily challenges, and making amends is ongoing.
Ajogyo is your second film with director Kaushik Ganguly. You have also worked together in Drishtikone (2018). Do you admire the vision from the story?
Percentage: Kaushik Ganguly is one of the best storytellers of today. He tells his story in a way that resonates with people’s ordinary emotions. He understood the emotions of the middle class. As a good actor himself, he helps a lot as a director. When I did a film with Kaushik, once the script was done, I got it to my character, but as director, he guides me, and I am a student. He was very calm.
Rituparna: I agree. He is a wonderful storyteller and understands relationships. He has complex concerns about the most difficult and sensitive relationship issues, with outlined and nuanced matters where you can see yourself. He is one of a kind in our country today.
Praktan (2016) is a much talked about film that sees you two coming together after a long time. What caused this gap?
Rituparna: I didn’t take a break from movies, though I took a break from the movie with him. I grew up in my films, explored different genres and carved a niche for myself. The audience has accepted us well in our own way. Fate brought us together again, and I always wanted Shiboprosad Mukherjee to direct our reunion.
Percentage: Prior to Praktan, we did not work together for about 14 years, which was a conscious decision and a blessing. There is a universal force that brings us back. After 14 years, the magic is still there in Praktan because of our long-time partner. Now, we have decided to get together on screen every two and a half to three years. The love of the audience has has been constant, become Praktan, Drishtikone, or now Ajogyo.
How do you get along with each other as actors on the big screen?
Percentage: In our first film, he was a newcomer and I was already a big star. The goal is to make them comfortable. Over time, I saw his maturity, passion, and love for his work. He started off with commercial cinema, then hit the mainstream and won a National Award. She immersed herself completely into her character, which It’s worth it.
Has Rituparna said anything that touched your heart?
Percentage: He told me that I taught him a lot as a newbie. Nowadays, actors have professional support – PR, managers, etc. But in the past, we didn’t have that kind of guidance. I was already doing a lot of work at that time, so I was mostly giving advice on handling the media and managing the schedule. Our bond has developed over time.
How are you, Rituparna? What qualities do you most admire in him?
Rituparna: He has amazing abilities. He can think deeply and focus only on his career, which is a great gift. I have to balance my mind on many things – family, career, etc. He can strategize better than I can. I’m more emotional.
Prosenjit, with Jubilee and Scoop-your Hindi project done well-is it tough to deliver bigger and better?
Prosenjit: Force people to like my work. People know me in Mumbai, but after watching Jubilee and Scoop, especially Jubilee, they wonder why I’m not there more often. The pressure is on what’s next. My stress is when I do Shesh Pata, what should I do next? Even if the film does well at the box office, I want my passion to remain, even if the character is small, so people talk about it. I have felt this for 30 years, but now, I just want to enjoy my work.
