Rituparna with Priyanshu. Picture by Pabitra Das

Priyanshu Chatterjee on being Rituparna’s hero and being totally involved in Tolly films, whether they work or not.

Do you think Bhorer Alo is going to work and help your career?

Well, I am confident that people are going to watch the film purely because it’s made by Prabhat Roy, who has given hits like Lathi and Swet Pathorer Thala. Like those films, Bhorer Alo too is a clean family drama.... Here I play an orphan who grows up to be a successful man. Then he meets his life partner and it’s about how his life changes after that. It’s a very interesting story.

Your last release Punorutthan with Rituparna Sengupta didn’t work...

Yes, and we all know why. There were so many different tracks in the film that the main story got lost. When they narrated the script to me it was nice and simple. But they kept adding new plots. I just shot my bit and left.

Aren’t you involved with the films you do?

I am 100 per cent involved, but I am a professional. I read scripts, discuss with my directors and then deliver my part. I keep coming to Calcutta often but it’s not possible or feasible for me to sit here even when I have finished my shoot. While shooting for Iti Mrinalini, there was an extension for 15 days and I was there. I did not leave before completing my portion. But relocating here isn’t an option. I want to buy a flat so that it’s convenient for both the producers and me. But I will continue to work both in Calcutta and Bombay. A lot of my actor friends fly to Chennai almost everyday. So I don’t think that’s a problem and since language isn’t an issue for me, I will do both Bengali and Hindi films.

You do a lot of films with Rituparna. Is that deliberate?

Well, it’s purely because of audience acceptance. People really like us as a pair. A lot of producers and directors have told us that we look good together. And I have known Ritu for a long time. She is my neighbour in Bombay. I like working with her. She is a thorough professional and fun on the sets, and she is great at what she does.