Kolkatar Harry, starring Priyanka Sarkar and Soham Chakraborty in the lead roles, is set to release at the theatres today. Directed by Rajdeep Ghosh, the children’s comedy emphasising on magic also stars Prosenjit Chatterjee. Ahead of the release, Priyanka engaged in a chat with about magic, movies and more:
Your film centres around magic. Do you believe in magic?
Of course, I do believe in magic and I think magic is there around us all the time. People tell me that I am a very positive person. I had a terrible accident a few months ago. I would have had to amputate my leg but thanks to magic, I did not have to. Maybe I wanted something and got it later. This magic and positivity are very important. For me, magic is more like faith. I prefer to see this world with a kid’s innocence as that adds many adventures to everyday life. Instead of thinking of something as a coincidence, I see it as magic.
What are your earliest memories of being acquainted with magic?
Watching magic shows and magic from fairy tales. Harry Potter was a huge part of my growing-up years. I have waited for long to get a letter from Hogwarts. (Laughs)
What has been the most magical thing to have happened to you in your life so far?
The birth of my son. There were complications, but I did not lose my patience and had faith for a healthy baby. The birth of my son has been the most magical thing so far.
What is your character in this film?
My name is Mohor, Titli’s elder sister. If we see this movie from a child’s perspective, Titli is the character around whom the story develops. The film explores different kinds of relationships that both adults and children will enjoy. Being the elder one, she has become more practical with age and that magic doesn’t come to her mind that often. She gets influenced by Harinath, Soham’s character. The film explores how the concept of storytelling should be brought back. Previously kids used to have a different kind of childhood, now they have a different childhood. Now, people have such less time on their hands that the idea of storytelling is getting lost. That needs to be brought back. Just like children will enjoy the film, adults can relate to my character. When I first listened to this story, I was transported to my childhood. She (Mohor) will also go back to her childhood.
What got you interested to play this character?
It reminded me of my childhood. Being so busy, I do not even realise the things I miss. I was reminded of those. School, childhood, friends. I had the wish of starting a girl’s band with my friends but later after growing up, I forgot about the wish only. If I remembered about it, it could have happened. At that time I thought it is possible to do everything together. This film reminds us of those things and I wanted to be a part of this project as it highlights a chapter from my childhood.
From the trailer of the film, we understand that it is a film made for children. Not many films cater to children in this industry. Did that have any role to play in your choice to be a part of this film? Has Sahaj (son) seen any of your films?
This film has a dose of positivity that is very much required now and a film that elders and children can enjoy together. Such films are very rare and especially after the pandemic when people have to be requested to go back to the hall. Children will enjoy this film. With every generation the stories we hear also keep changing. I have heard different kinds of stories as a kid. Harry Potter was a huge part of my childhood. But Sahaj did not know about Harry Potter unless I introduced it to him. He knows different stories of this age that he introduces me to. This goes on. This film is giving out the message only that the habit of storytelling should remain. The audience will like it and will be a part of the magical journey.
No, he (Sahaj, son) hasn’t. This is the first film that he will watch and so he is very excited. Kolkatar Harry would be a good film for him to watch. I am very excited. Children were stuck at home during the pandemic and needed a break. We have been waiting for long to go back to the theatre. The story involves a school bus, he also goes to school by a school bus, so he will relate. My school was right opposite my house, so I could never ride a school bus. It is my forever regret. The way the school bus can create a world within itself for the kids has been explored well in this film.
You and Soham have acted together in films before. What kind of fun do you have on set when you are together?
I have worked with him in two films before this and had a great working experience. He is very good. And in this film, since he had an added responsibility as a producer, he had a lot to do and had lots of responsibilities. We can work in a light mood. Since we shot with children, it is always fun. Just like the kids we also had fun. The film has been shot with special effects and there was the green screen against which we shot. That was also fun.
You are doing back-to-back films and exploring various roles. How do you choose your characters these days?
With time, the audience also has an expectation. That is a responsibility. If I do any work, the audience will come to see. So, I try to do such stories which the audience will find interesting. As an actor, I feel like doing new things to give new experiences to my audience. I had not been part of a fairy tale kind of a film before, so I chose to do Kolkatar Harry.
Are you enjoying this busy phase? How do you manage to spend time with Sahaj with such a busy schedule?
Beyond work, I just stay at home and enjoy that. I stay with my family. Now he doesn’t complain much, he understands and is aware that I will step out for work every morning but again when I am on a vacation I will stay with him. I am enjoying my busy phase and would like to be busier than this.
What kind of roles are you looking forward to exploring as an actress now?
I am very happy with the work that is already lined up for me, like Mahabharat Murders for Hoichoi. I am an IPS there, which I enjoyed playing. Then I just completed shooting for Srijatoda’s beautiful film Manabjamin. There I played a completely different character.
