Paoli Dam and Roopa Ganguly at the premiere of Debesh Chattopadhyay’s debut film Natoker Moto at Priya on Friday. Paoli plays Kheya, a feisty theatre actress of the Seventies, a character inspired by the late Keya Chakraborty. Roopa plays Paoli’s mother. “I’ve had sleepless nights shooting for Natoker Moto. Playing Kheya wasn’t easy but it has definitely made me a better actress,” smiled Paoli, stunning in a black Dhakai Jamdani.
Pictures: B. Halder

All eyes were on Paoli Dam as she crooned Bhalobashi bhalobashi at the after-party in Mainland China, Gurusaday Road. Debesh and his team then joined in. “I have no formal training in singing but Ma is a trained singer. When I was a kid, Ma would sing with her harmonium and I would doze off!” she laughed. Paoli has made her singing debut in Natoker Moto.

Rajatava Dutta (far left) with wife Soma (in blue), Saswata Chatterjee and wife Mahua. Rajatava plays the cop investigating the death of Kheya and Saswata plays Kheya’s husband in Natoker Moto.

Father Felix Raj of St. Xavier’s College cut his birthday cake with Natoker Moto producer Firdausul Hasan and music director Debojyoti Mishra.

Bratya Basu plays Amitesh, a character inspired by theatre doyen Ajitesh Bandopadhyay.

Neel Mukhopadhyay plays Kheya’s college professor in Natoker Moto.

Cast members Kanchana Moitra (left) and Saayoni Ghosh.

A retrospective of eight Prosenjit films will be screened at Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre, Delhi, from September 7 to 29. ‘Retrospective Prosenjit’ is being organised by CII and presented by Senco Gold & Diamonds. From Dosar to Autograph, Jaatishwar to Moner Manush, Shanghai to Ami, Yasin Aar Amar Madhubala and Apon Amar Apon, the audience will be treated to a mixed bag of the Tollywood star’s screen outings spanning over 30 years. Purushuttam, the only film Prosenjit directed, will also be screened at the retrospective. 

An actress may have a small role in a film but she can be as excited as someone playing the lead. In Natoker Moto, Ushasie plays Shobita (inspired from poet Kobita Singha), a poet of the Seventies who proved that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Even though her screen time is little, Ushasie is all excited!
“

Kobita Singha’s poems have inspired me since childhood. Before I became an actress I used to take part in elocution and shruti natok and since then I have been really fascinated by her poems. At that time no other poetess would dare write such feminist poems. One of my favourite Kobita Singha poems is Ami Shei Meyeti,” said Ushasie, who was “surprised” when Natoker Moto director Debesh Chattopadhyay offered her the role. “How many actresses get to play their dream role, tell me? And I already knew a lot about Kobita Singha. I knew that she used to work in a very prestigious post in All India Radio.”

In Natoker Moto, Ushasie plays Paoli Dam’s (Kheya) friend, philosopher and guide. “I had a lot of fun playing Shobita in Natoker Moto. It’s a dream come true,” Ushasie signed off.