Rajesh on the sets of Riingo’s System; (above) with wife Sangeeta during a break. Pictures by Aranya Sen

I have known Rajesh Sharma for the past 20 years. I had heard of him from Aparna Sen, who was extremely impressed by the young actor, especially after she saw him working as an understudy to Usha Ganguli in Rudali. Since those days as an actor in Rangkarmee, Rajesh has come a long way. His performance in his two recent films, No One Killed Jessica and Bedeni, has been much acclaimed. It was with a sense of pride and pleasure that I went to talk to him and Rajesh did not disappoint as he spoke of his career, theatre and influences.

How did you land the role of a cop in No one Killed Jessica?

I was in Delhi on work when I got a call to audition for the film. I went for the audition and was told there were others in the fray. After the audition it was a long wait, but then came the good news that I had been selected!

This is not your first film in Hindi, so why did you have to audition for it? Is it because you are from Bengal?

It’s not that. Almost all actors have to audition. It’s more like a look test. Recently, Imtiaz Ali called me for an audition for his film Rockstar with Ranbir Kapoor. I went for the audition and was told to report a couple of days later. When I went back to their office, I saw the board where all the cast names were displayed. The role I had auditioned for had my name and Pawan Malhotra’s name. Imtiaz told me I was his choice but the team had reached a consensus to opt for Pawan. I was disappointed but not disheartened. I was happy that I had lost out to a good actor and the fact that at least the important directors in Mumbai were aware of me.

Do you feel vindicated now that you are being praised for your role in Jessica?

No, no. There is no question of feeling vindicated. It is a competitive world and I know that as a character actor I have made a mark amongst the Mumbai directors. I have already played different kinds of roles in my Hindi films. As for my role in Jessica, some friends have told me that Amitabh Bachchan has appreciated my act!

What about Bengali cinema? You have been around for a long time...

I have been in the industry for quite some time but the variety of roles offered to me has not been that wide-ranging. Aparna Sen and Babuda (Sandip Ray) did give me characters that are still talked about....

My character in Paromitar Ekdin was a surprise for me! I was supposed to do a Hindi film with Rinadi (Aparna) called Saari Raat, based on a Badal Sircar play. It was a film with just three characters — besides me, there were Tabu and Naseeruddin Shah. Somehow it didn’t work out and Rinadi wrote the script for Paromitar Ekdin. She read it out and said there was a role for me in it. I was trying to figure out which... ‘Could it be the police officer?’ I thought. But when she said it was the filmmaker’s, Paromita’s second husband, I was taken aback! I told Rinadi I wasn’t suitable for the role as I wasn’t handsome and attractive. But she had faith in me and I put my heart into the role and it paid off. I remember a lot of women came up to me to say how they wished their husbands were like me! It was my launchpad.

Despite it you have mostly played negative characters in Bengali films...

That’s true, but the negative characters had many shades. Bombaiyer Bombete, for one. The character of Victor Perumal was almost on a par with Feluda. I am grateful to Sandip Ray for casting me in that role. It brought me immense recognition.

What about Bengali mainstream films where you are marked as a villain?

I am a known face in the villages of Bengal. In fact, it was Haranath Chakraborty and Moni-Shrikant (Mahendra Soni and Shrikant Mohta) of Shree Venkatesh Films who cast me in a film called Pratibad a decade ago. Pratibad, scripted by Anjan Choudhury, was a superhit film... almost the Sholay of Tollygunge, you could say... I played Tinu Gunda. Even today when I go to rural Bengal for functions or for jatra, people remember me as Tinu Gunda!

How did you get into the world of acting?

Primarily because of three women. My mother, who stood by me, accepted all my decisions and never lost faith in me. Second, Ushadi, that is Usha Ganguli, my acting guru as well as the person who actually educated me. She taught me many things that no school or college can teach. It is her dialogue from a play that I stick to in life: ‘Agar tum zindagi ko kuchh nahin dogey to zindagi tumhe kuchh nahin degi’. The third woman is Aparna Sen. She took a big chance and cast me in her film. Not only that, I had also played a rickshawpuller in her six-part series on Calcutta, Undying City.

Is that where you met Sudipta Chakraborty, your first wife?

No, I had met her earlier through theatre but we were nothing more than acquaintances then. It was while working in Undying City as a couple from Bihar that we got to know each other.

She is a marvellous actress. In fact, it was her acting, her spontaneity that made me notice her. Even before I knew her well I was recommending her to people. Today, when we are not together anymore, I would still say as an actress she is excellent and if asked I will still recommend her. She has been under-utilised by our industry.

If Usha Ganguli was your mentor, why did you quit theatre?

Theatre has taken a back seat due to an ideological clash. I do not believe in the present infrastructure of theatre. Theatre is a medium of change, of education, yet there is no change in the logistics. Everyone associated with a stage production — like the light person, the helper who carries the set props, the auditorium authorities, the Matador driver — gets a wage except actors. And when they are paid, it’s usually from a grant that the group gets and it’s thought of as a grant and not a professional fee for a job well done. We are actors doing a job of educating people, why should we settle for a mere grant? Why not a proper professional fee? We are not beggars waiting for alms!

Television has never been your mainstay...

That’s not entirely true. I started doing television with Indraneel Goswami when he did a series called Saturday Suspense in Hindi. When I asked him if I should pursue an acting career, he said, ‘If you want to be a Shah Rukh or a Salman then just vamoose. But if Nana Patekar is your role model then stick around and you’ll surely get results’.

Are you getting results?

Yes. Not only am I working in Tollygunge, I have also made a place in the minds of directors in Mumbai. My roles in Parineeta, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Ishqiya and No One Killed Jessica has established me as an actor who can essay different characters.

Does that mean you will shift to Mumbai?

No such immediate plans. There are films here and some in Mumbai that are being worked out. Let’s see.

What about the new lady in your life?

She happens to be my wife, Sangeeta. Yes, she is very much there in my life, supportive and a reliable companion.