Gourab Chatterjee

From a mentally unstable youth in STAR Jalsha’s Durga to a yuppie DJ in his fourth film, TV heartthrob Gourab Chatterjee is gearing up for his much-awaited turnaround this autumn.

The grandson of Uttam Kumar has been picked by Kaushik Ganguly to be a part of the five-member youth brigade that forms the core of his upcoming film Rang Milanti.

“I was waiting to do something very different from Rupam, the character I played for two years in the mega serial Durga. Kaushikda called a couple of days back and I found the role quite interesting. What’s most important is that it’s very different from what I have done so far,” says Gourab.

In Rang Milanti, that rolls in end-October, he plays a DJ. “It’s the role of a carefree guy who lives life on his own terms... a very urban character,” adds Gourab, who wants to give TV a miss for a while.

“I now want to take a break from TV though I have learnt a lot while doing Durga. Facing the camera every day for two years was a huge practice and it has helped me get recognised. I even have a fan following! Rupam is the best thing to have happened to me but I don’t want to get typecast. I want to experiment as an actor,” he adds.

But one thing’s for sure, Gourab doesn’t see himself as a muscle-flexing, goon-thrashing Tolly hero. “I don’t think I am cut out for that, neither do I have the looks to pull it off. Jeet and Dev have the looks and can do such roles with elan. I don’t think I would look convincing beating up 20 guys,” he laughs.

“I want to be a part of slightly off-beat films and in each I should have a different role. After Bhalobashar Anek Naam, my debut film with Tarun Majumdar where I had played a village schoolteacher, I did the serial Durga where my role was very different and in between I did the film Iti. Not many know that I had played Jeet’s brother in Krishnakanter Will, but Rang Milanti is the film where I play a today’s guy. I can’t relate to the character, but there lies the fun, I guess!”

And Gourab has started experimenting with his look for Rang Milanti. “I will sport very short hair and I will wear braces too!” he smiles.

Here’s what Kaushik had to say about his choice: “Gourab is a very good actor. Nobody has seen him in the role of a DJ and he fits the bill.”