JEET

In this turnaround film of his career, Jeet plays a hired killer on a mission against the corrupt system, fighting baddies, romancing Shrabanti and jumping off 30-storey buildings with equal ease.

Why cast Jeet in Wanted: “We knew that Jeet could pull off an action film. We felt he had the potential to do a film like Wanted and that he wasn’t getting the right break,” says Wanted producer Himanshu Dhanuka.

What Wanted has done for Jeet: Restored his place in the league of Tolly’s leading men. Jeet is now busy with three films — Raj Chakraborty’s Dui Prithibi and two action movies.

How Wanted has worked for Jeet: “The slick presentation, smart packaging and, of course, Jeet, who really worked very hard. He is looking 10 years younger in Wanted after Saat Paake Bandha and Neel Akasher Chandni,” Dhanuka adds.

Jeetspeak: “I badly needed a solo-hero film and I am grateful to Raviji (Kinnagi, director) for trusting me at a time when my films were not doing too well. Wanted was pitched as my comeback film and I am relieved that it has done so well, especially because I can see the pride in the eyes of my fans again.”

Viewerspeak: “I was very impressed with the slick look of Wanted and Jeetda rocked in the film. He has never looked better!” said Poran Jai Joliya Re heroine Shubhasree.

SHRABANTI

Desi girl in Wanted, glam doll in Amanush. Chirpy and naughty in Wanted, smart and wilful in Amanush. A pretty face backed with acting skills is the secret of Shrabanti’s success.

What Wanted and Amanush have done for Shrabanti: Made her Tollywood’s newest blue-eyed girl. Shrabanti is now juggling three projects — two Ravi Kinnagi-directed films opposite Jeet, and one by Sujit Mondal co-starring Dev.

Shrabantispeak: “The response to both Wanted and Amanush has been superb and I am thrilled! People told me I looked very fresh and beautiful in Wanted. Some people have even called me to say that I looked awesome in the song sequences with Jeetda! Those who have seen Amanush said I was a natural. Recently in Bolpur, people gathered around me and asked me when I would do another film with Soham and Jeetda! I think people have really liked the films.”

Director Sujit Mondal on Shrabanti: “Shrabanti is a director’s actress. She has an intelligent face and is very presentable. Plus, she is very committed.”

Jeet on Shrabanti: “Shrabanti is a great actress. She started her career with me in Champion and people had liked us back then. I still get compliments on our pairing.”

Soham on Shrabanti: “Shrabanti is a very good performer. Most importantly, she is so natural. She never acts; she talks and walks in front of the camera just the way she does in real life.”

SOHAM

Sporting a very uncool look, Soham successfully swings between a geek and a lover boy in Amanush.

Why cast Soham in Amanush: “When we thought of making Amanush, we wanted only Soham because he had already given a superhit, Prem Amar, and we were waiting to repeat him with a better subject. Besides, he plays an orphan in the film, so we couldn’t possibly cast Jeet or Dev,” says producer Mahendra Soni of Shree Venkatesh Films.

What Amanush has done for Soham: Established him as a bankable main man who can deliver minus the dance-fight frills. His next projects are a film with Shree Venkatesh and a reality show titled Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

How Amanush has worked for Soham: “Soham’s physicality — short height and a not-toned physique — matched his character. He had it in him to pull off a subject where a geek falls for a good-looking college girl,” says Soni.

Sohamspeak: “I was very nervous because Amanush released on the same day as Jeetda’s Wanted. But the audience support has been great. People are calling me the Aamir Khan of Tollywood! I know what I am capable of. I have to do performance-oriented films. The Mashimas and Pishimas have to like my films.”

Viewerspeak: “I thought Bittu (Soham) did an excellent job! I loved Amanush as much as I loved Wanted,” says Shubhasree.

Kushali Nag

Which Bolly film can be remade with Jeet-Shrabanti-Soham in the lead? Tell t2@abpmail.com

Tribute to the bard: Rabindra Bharati University feted Soumitra Chatterjee on the occasion of his 75th birthday. In a rare gesture, the veteran actor donated about 1,000 books from his personal collection to the varsity library. The collection also contained some of his medals and journals edited by the actor. “The Rabindra Bharati University is linked to the Bard and without Rabindranath, I would have been an inferior man. I am happy to give away my collection to this university,” said Chatterjee. The university plans to make an archive dedicated to this collection.Picture by Sanat Kr Sinha

Together again: Debleena Dutt shoots for ETV Bangla’s Bhitor Bahire, where she’s paired with Saswata Chatterjee. Debleena plays a businesswoman, while Saswata plays her childhood sweetheart. “After Ek Akasher Niche, Bhitor Bahire is the first mega serial where Apuda (Saswata) and I are paired as a couple. We did a few episodes of Ekhane Akash Neel in between but both of us decided to quit. Now people have started liking us in Bhitor Bahire,” smiled Debleena, in between shots. Picture by Aranya Sen