I wish to direct a film someday: Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee

Interdisciplinary artiste Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee has his plate full. The actor, who is currently playing a ‘bad man’ in megaserial Trinoyoni, shared his experience of acting in TV, working with his art collective and more. Read on…
What made you say yes to a megaserial?
Money first. Sahana Dutta offered me a negative role and I knew nothing about it in the beginning.But gradually I started enjoying it. People now stop me at malls and everywhere else to tell me how much they “hate” me as the villain. I must add here that my director Swarnendu Samaddar helped me a lot.
Mega serials are often taxing. Long hours and little rest... How are you managing your other commitments?
My production unit is very accommodating. They understand they are working with an interdisciplinary artiste and I can’t just give up my other commitments. It’s tough, but I enjoy multitasking.

The biggest takeaway was being cast as the villain in Bidaay Byomkesh and playing Nittygritty in Shahjahan Regency. However, the high was surely coming back on stage and to be directed by Sohag Sen in the play Chhoto Chobi. Meanwhile, Trinoyoni gave me a financial foothold for sure.

I don't mind playing an effeminate character. I carry some feminine traits much better than most male actors here. But who is making a film like Milk or Brokeback Mountain? Who’s offering me Nagarkirtan? And who decides whether I am mainstream or not?

Working with Sudipa Basu is a very intense experience. She grills you in the rehearsals and makes sure you deliver. Working with Sohag Sen is like time travelling. She is very international in approach. She believes in minimalism in acting as well. I have found no low points in both and I am not being diplomatic. But I am a little scared of Sohagdi’s temper, like everyone else.
You have an art collective in which you work with young artistes. Your recent site-specific play has garnered much appreciation. How do you see the collective in another five years?
Yes, the immersive theatre that my arts collective produced has garnered us attention nationally. I think this is one project where we could showcase financially sustainability in arts as well. In five years, I want some of these young artistes to become independent and innovate newer art forms.

Well, I have also designed unisexual lowers in terms of clothing. I will soon step into another new sector of designing and I wish to direct a film someday.