They had played lovebirds in their first film together — Haranath Chakraborty’s Bajimaat (2008). But even before they had met, Soham and Subhashree  were in a packed auditorium cheering on their fave Bumba Mamu-Bumbada (Prosenjit). Now, both are gung-ho about their latest release, Dekh Kemon Lage (directed by Sudeshna Roy-Abhijit Guha), where Prosenjit is the creative producer. A t2 chat with Soham and Subhashree in Soham’s ‘Mamar Bari’...

Soham, you are famous for playing a ‘young Prosenjit’ in many films. How young were you when you started out?
I was three years old and my first film with Bumba Mamu was Chhoto Bou. However, I had a separate role in that film. Only later I went on to play everything, from a young Bumba Mamu to playing his son. I was really pampered by Mamu, and he treated me to a lot of chocolates and ice creams.  

Subhashree, what is your earliest memory of Prosenjit?

I had an odbhut impression of Bumbada. I have grown up watching his films. And at that young age I nurtured hopes of marrying him! I was bowled over by his charm, smile, eyes. Of course as I grew up I realised that is not possible!

Have you ever told him this?

No, but I have told him that I want to be his heroine. That hasn’t happened yet and I don’t know when it will happen. Hope it happens one day.

When did you get to see him in person for the first time?

Subhashree: To mark Bumbada’s 25 years in the industry, an event was held in Science City auditorium. I was in the audience and saw him for the first time. I was awestruck. I saw Arpitadi also for the first time.

Soham: I was also in the audience. I had got passes, and stood in a line to get in. I said to myself, ‘Mamu you are looking great, and one day I’ll also dance in the Science City auditorium to a packed audience’.

Subhashree: The first interaction I had with him was on the sets of Hangover. I was tongue-tied. And I was thinking, ‘Will he talk to me?’ Even now, when we see him at gatherings or film premieres, our gaze follows only him. He has always been very supportive.

Soham: Years ago we were shooting for a film called Amanat...through the night. The climax involving a fight scene was being shot. Around 2am I dozed off. I was running a high temperature. Despite all this the fight master called me to the set, asking me to carry on shooting. I started crying and Mamu got to know about it. He got really angry, and told the fight master to make sure that I was well-rested and to call me back on the set only when I got better. Mamu has always been, and still is, super protective. Which is why every technician loves and respects him so much.

How is Bumbada as a creative producer?

Subhashree: He really helped us. From Day One he was very clear about our look. He would interact with us, give inputs.

Soham: He would drop by and sit in adda with us.

You and Soham started off together in the film Bajimaat...

Subhashree: To me he was already a star then. He had done maybe 65 films as a child actor. We became really good friends. He didn’t have any airs. We both were debuting as hero and heroine, so we wanted to give it our best shot. We were helpful to each other. And I call him Bittu, never Soham. 

After Bajimaat, why didn’t you work together again?

Subhashree: There is no reason for this. The industry is basically producer-driven. No one thought of casting us in other films. One has to go on experimenting. Now, this year I’m only being paired opposite Bittu. Why?
Soham: After Amar Apanjon (2017) people felt that this is a fresh pair.

Tell us about your characters in Dekh Kemon Lage...

Subhashree: I play Gunja, the girl-next-door from north Calcutta with strong values, personality... someone who is very diligent. She has a deep friendship with Rahul (Soham), who is a playboy. He is also impulsive. Whenever he gets into trouble, she comes to his rescue. She is helping him but feeling bad at the same time since he cannot seem to mend his ways.

Soham: I have never ever played a playboy like Rahul. He is a flamboyant character. His motto in life is to spend what his father earns.

Have you ever wanted to be a playboy in real life?

Soham: No, never.

Subhashree: He never wanted to be one (laughs out loud). He is very smart.

Who was your inspiration then to play the playboy?

Soham: Many (laughs)!

Anyone from the industry?

Soham: No, no.

Subhashree: (Laughs out loud). I think Rahul should go to a disc now!

What was your research work?!

Soham: I observed people…

Subhashree: Who? That’s what they want to know? Now, they would like to know who that person is?!

Soham: A guy in my para.

Soham, we heard that one day on the set you totally gorged on ice creams though you are not supposed to have any...

Subhashree: He had seven-eight!

Soham: There was a scene where I was supposed to have ice cream. But I didn’t have so many.

Subhashree: He had the stick ice creams.

Soham: It was so hot that I had to!

Arindam Chatterjee
Pictures: Rashbehari Das

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