Showing posts with label Tapan Sinha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tapan Sinha. Show all posts
Satyajit Ray was probably appreciated only when he won awards-Adil Hussain
8:28 AM
Adil Hussain on working with director Mahadevan in The Storyteller, inspired by Satyajit Ray’s Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; February 4, 2025)
Hailing from a town on the border of Assam and West Bengal, Adil Hussain grew up in a melting pot of culture—films, literature, dance, and music. His father introduced him to Rabindranath Tagore and Satyajit Ray’s works. So, when director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan offered him The Storyteller—inspired by Ray’s short story Golpo Boliye Tarini Khuro—he knew he was going “to be part of something beautiful.”
“I think any actor, especially the ones I admire, would definitely come on board for it. The Storyteller is such a beautiful [story]. It is an actual delight to embody a character written by Satyajit Ray and wonderfully brought [to screen] by Ananth ji,” states the actor, who plays a Gujarati businessman suffering from insomnia.
He credits Mahadevan for his choice of actors—Revathy, Paresh Rawal, and Tannishtha Chatterjee—and the way he tells the story.
“It’s a delight to work with him because he is a sucker for good and untold stories. I trusted him completely, and I was right. Recently, I shot another film with him called The Past Tense—that’s another brilliant and true story,” says the actor. Hussain acknowledges that while Mahadevan has not received his due recognition, this is true of many great filmmakers throughout history.
“Tapan Sinha is the finest filmmaker in India, with films like Ek Doctor Ki Maut [1990] and Safed Haathi [1978], and has made several phenomenal Bengali films. Yet, very few people know of him. Only the rasiks probably know of his legacy. Even Satyajit Ray was probably appreciated only when he won awards. Otherwise, who would have known about him, except for some people in Bengal? So, with Ananth ji, I think it is a difficult path he has taken to tell these stories, and he has to face the consequences—just as I accept the consequences of being part of independent films. I take it with a lot of gratitude and delight,” adds Hussain.
When asked if it is a good time for independent cinema, the actor believes India is in the “initial phase of a good time.” “It can grow into a great banyan tree. It would be wonderful to see that happen in my lifetime. And I hope that actors—those who believe in the craft and the joy of acting rather than the gloss and the glitter—will have more space in the future,” he shares.
Why should I act in Meghna’s films if I don’t fit into a role?-Rakhee Gulzar
7:51 AM
Rakhee Gulzar and Prosenjit Chatterjee at the Kolkata International Film Festival
Zinia Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; November 15, 2019)
Ahead of Rakhee Gulzar’s press con at the 25th Kolkata International Film Festival Nandan for Gautam Halder’s Nirban recently, the message conveyed to all by the organisers was, ‘No personal questions to Rakheedi please.’ When the actress came, looking pristine in a beige sari, she not only gave Kolkatans information on their city that not many are privy to, won hearts and became everyone’s Rakheedi by the end of it all.
She said, “I came here thanks to the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. She remembered me and called me with a lot of love. I had two reasons for coming here. First was the film festival and the second, the film I am a part of. I have worked in films for many years. But this time, I am doing everything to make this film reach out to all. I want people to see Nirban for the story. I want people to appreciate Bijolibala, not me.”
Based on Moti Nandi’s Bijolibalar Mukti, the film has Rakhee playing the protagonist. About how she landed the role, Rakhee said, “I did not know the director. But the day this proposal came, I was at the hospital. My grandson was born. Later, I called him to my farmhouse and when I heard the story, I suddenly felt like doing it. It’s very relevant in today’s time.”
The actress spends most of her time in Panvel, which is a couple of hours from Mumbai, however she does visit Kolkata regularly. “I roam around quietly. I go to the machher bazar, I know Radhubabur dokan, Tyangra, all the roads… Do you know there’s an amazing fish market after crossing Tollygunge? Not many people can identify me and that’s the best part,” she said, adding that she did not want to do more films. “When people can retire from jobs, why can’t actors do that? I wanted to spend my time amidst nature and with animals and trees, but that didn’t happen,” she said.
Not one to watch Bengali films regularly, she said she really liked a recent movie. “During Durga Puja, I saw a film called Bhooter Bhabishyat on TV. It had already started, but it was such a fun watch.”
On being asked why she hasn’t been part of any film by daughter Meghna Gulzar yet, the actress said, “I did not make Bosky (Meghna) an actress. As a mother, it was important for me to understand her knacks. She does films on serious subjects, a lot of research goes into them. Why should I act in it if I don’t fit into a role? Just because I am her mother? Why should I be a burden for her?”
As an actress, Rakhee said it’s important to know where to stop. “I used to work in cinema when it was very different. But I have no regrets about stopping or, about not working with directors I have not worked with. My favourite director is Tapan Sinha, I love the way he made films for everyone. As an actress, I have had the same beliefs,” she said.
‘RAKHEE AUNTY IS A FABULOUS ACTRESS AND A GREAT COOK’
Rakhee aunty is a family friend. She is a fabulous actress and a great cook. One of our films together — Maa — celebrated its golden jubilee. She would cook for me. I remember her playing a small role in Baghini (1968). From there, she went on to essay lead characters in many, many films. It shows where perseverance can take you
— Prosenjit Chatterjee
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