Kharaj Mukherjee

Kharaj doesn’t let anyone blink and miss him on the big screen...

However brief his roles are. The actor with a wacky sense of humour has perfected the art of holding viewer attention with his antics. He was a doctor in Yuva, a singer in Parineeta, a raddiwala in Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and a domestic help in The Namesake. “All these roles had comic shades and that’s what interested me. The length of the role never mattered,” he says.

Small roles are more challenging because…

“I have to put in more effort than for a full-fledged role. I always remember that I have to make an impact in a short span of time, so I pay attention to details. The dialogue delivery, facial expression and the overall presentation of the character are all very important. The other reason is the humour. These characters make the audience laugh and I have been appreciated,” he smiles.

His forthcoming film is...

Aparna Sen’s The Japanese Wife. Kharaj plays a kite-shop owner. The film also stars Rahul Bose, Raima Sen and Moushumi Chatterjee.

Big roles don’t lure him unless...

They are worth the effort. “Star Plus offered me a big role in a mega serial recently but I turned it down as I don’t want to move base to Mumbai. I owe a lot to the Bengali film and television industry.”

Kharaj is now busy with...

The Aakaash serial Andarmahal and Sukh, which is yet to be aired. “I have just finished shooting for Raj Mukherjee’s film Love Story and may do the next Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne with Sandip Ray. I now want to play a villain. As an actor I want to try different things.”

He makes music too, and is on to his next album...

Bum Chik Chik, to be released this year. “I have composed five out of the eight songs. Music goes side by side....”