He shoots for Atanu Ghosh’s Ek Phaali Rodh and Aparajito, the mega serial on STAR Jalsha, by day and gets busy by night organising his para puja at Lake Terrace. Jisshu Sengupta tells t2 about his puja this year...

What made you take up the responsibility of organising your para puja at Lake Terrace this time?

Well, I was always involved. My mother (late Mukta Sengupta) was the secretary of the puja. When I was a kid, the puja was organised by the para women. Though I no longer live in Lake Terrace, I was always very involved with the puja because I grew up there. It’s a 66-year-old puja and this year, I wanted to do it in a big way. So, I have booked a hotel for five days close to the pandal and I am going to shift in there with my wife (Nilanjanaa) and daughter (Sara). I am really looking forward to it and I am enjoying myself too.

How are you dividing your time between shoots and visiting the pandal every day?

It’s very hectic. I shoot all day and post-8pm, I go to Lake Terrace and stay back till about 1am. But I am enjoying it. I have regular meetings with the members of the club. We discuss the budget, sponsors, managing the crowd and everything else.

Is it easier getting sponsors because of your star status?

I am not sure but yes, I have managed to get a few sponsors like Emami. We are doing the puja in a big way this time. The pandal will be a replica of a palace. We will have dhunuchi naach. I will participate too. Rituparno Ghosh will inaugurate the puja and we will have bands performing on the five festive days. Plus, there will be cultural programmes, sit-and-draw competitions....

Will you continue to be as actively involved with this puja in the coming years?

Yes. It gives me great satisfaction. I will try and participate actively every year.