There is a certain familiarity that comes with watching Santu return to the screen — a quiet assurance that the Kakababu universe is once again in safe hands. As Vijaynagar’er Hirey gears up to take audiences from Calcutta to the ancient ruins of Hampi, Aryann Bhowmik steps back into the role he has steadily grown into over the years. No longer just the eager companion to Prosenjit Chatterjee’s Kakababu, Santu has evolved — he is sharper, steadier and more self-assured. In conversation, Aryann reflects on growing up with the character, navigating a new directorial vision, shooting at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the discipline — on and off screen — that continues to shape both the actor and the adventurer he portrays.

For Aryann Bhowmik, slipping back into Santu’s shoes no longer requires a dramatic mental shift. After three films in the Kakababu series, the character has become instinctive — almost lived-in. Yet, Vijaynagar’er Hirey brings with it a subtle evolution, mirroring both the character’s age and Aryann’s own. “After doing three instalments of Kakababu, Santu has actually become more of a second nature to me. It’s not like in a split second I can transform into Santu, but I know the character so well now — I’ve explored him from so many angles already. What changes with every film is that Santu is also growing older. So I try to adapt those subtle changes and incorporate them as much as possible.” In this fourth outing, Santu is visibly more dependable, more trained — a far cry from the excitable boy adventurer audiences first met.

“In Vijaynagar’er Hirey, Santu is much more mature. He’s trained, and that has to reflect in his physicality and overall body language. The chemistry between Kakababu and Santu is also evolving, and figuring out how that relationship shifts is the challenge I really enjoy.”

Adventure Beyond the Script

The scale of Vijaynagar’er Hirey takes Kakababu and Santu to Hampi — a UNESCO World Heritage Site that posed challenges far beyond the demands of performance. “Shooting in Hampi is something you don’t really understand unless you’re actually there. It’s an open-air museum, and the logistical difficulties were honestly mind-boggling. But hats off to Chandrasishda (Ray), the entire directorial team, and of course Bumba uncle — the way they pulled this off is nothing short of incredible.” The schedule itself was tight — just over a week on location — but the experience left a lasting impression.

“We were there for eight or nine days, and then a few more days back in Calcutta. Now that promotions have started, the response has been beautiful, especially from school students. This time, the promotions are very consciously focused on young audiences, and the excitement coming from them feels so organic. I genuinely feel Vijaynagar’er Hirey will emotionally connect more than the previous films.”

A New Director, A Familiar World

Moving from Srijit Mukherji’s vision to Chandrasish Ray’s interpretation initially came with hesitation — something Aryann admits candidly. “But from the script reading itself, we gelled beautifully. Chandrasish Ray’s vision is incredibly clear — he knows exactly what he wants to do, what new touches to add.” For Aryann, Chandrasish’s approach felt less like a departure and more like a careful expansion.

Memories and mirth

Ask Aryann about moments he’ll always carry from this shoot, and the answer isn’t a single incident — it’s the collective spirit. “The entire shoot was like that — every day had something memorable. But one moment that really stayed with me was during a fight sequence. After the shoot was technically over, the entire cast stayed back just to support me. That kind of support is something I’ll always cherish.” There was also plenty of laughter, especially when Aryann’s natural screen presence threatened to overpower Santu’s everyman charm.

“Since Santu is Santu, there’s a certain body language you have to maintain. Sometimes my walk would become a little too heroic, and Chandrasishda would immediately say, ‘This is becoming heroic — walk like Santu!’ He’d even keep telling me to cover my arms because Santu can’t look too muscular. Those little corrections became running jokes on set.” The discipline behind Aryann’s physical confidence isn’t accidental. A trained karateka since 2005, he credits the martial art for shaping far more than just his action sequences.

“I call karate my second mother. Before joining, I was extremely shy and introverted. Karate isn’t just a sport — it’s a character-building art. Whatever I am today, after my parents, the credit goes to karate. It completely transformed me.” For Aryann, the philosophy of karate bleeds seamlessly into his work and life. “It teaches you discipline, calmness under pressure, decision-making — your ethics and values come from there. That’s why I’ve stayed connected to it for so many years. It’s a lifelong practice.”

What Lies Ahead

While Santu remains close to his heart, Aryann’s future is packed with variety — films, a self-directed short, and international collaborations. As for resolutions, the answer is simple — and telling. “The mantra never changes. Discipline. It’s very difficult to stay on course, but you have to if you want to achieve anything.” Vijaynagar’er Hirey releases in theatres on January 23.