Rudranil and Sohom shoot for Chaplin

In a tiny, dingy room where a Charlie Chaplin poster is the most eye-catching object, Rudranil Ghosh and young Sohom settle down to share a loaf of bread for lunch.

They are on the sets of Anindo Banerjee’s Chaplin, playing father and son. In his first leading role in a film, Rudranil plays Banshi Das, who earns a living entertaining people with his Charlie Chaplin act. A t2 chat with Rudranil...

On bagging his first solo lead role: I don’t see this as a special opportunity or as a break. When an actor is cast in a role, it is all about whether he can earn back the money spent on him. So, issues like how many dialogues I have or how much screen time I have have never been crucial for me. I have always believed in the character I play.

On why he took up the role of Banshi Das: Do I identify with him? Does the role bring out the actor in me? Moreover, am I being able to do what the director wants from me? All these factors helped me decide on Chaplin. It is a very interesting script and the character is one of the most fascinating I have ever played.

On being Banshi Das: Banshi and I share a mutual respect for Chaplin, which makes me a fan of Banshi as well. He is a man who not only looks forward to earning his bread; the opportunity to live as a performer called Chaplin for a couple of hours a day is also very important to him. He clings to his art but he loves his son a lot and is concerned about his well-being too.

Dream girl: Anindo has picked newcomer Rachita Chauhan to play the female lead Rina, a corporate executive who teaches colony children in her spare time. “Rina learns about Banshi and after watching him act; her only desire is to help him and his son have a better life. Banshi, however, is infatuated by Rina. For him, she is like Chaplin’s Edna,” said Anindo. Rina is Rachita’s first major film role. “Rudrada suggested that I audition for this role. I was a little sceptical at first but Anindoda helped me understand the nuances of the character,” said Rachita.

Pictures by Aranya Sen