Rahool Mukherjee’s upcoming film, Mon Maaney Na, stars Ritwik Bhowmik and Hiya Chatterjee in lead roles. While Hiya makes her debut, Ritwik comes riding high on a purple patch, with praise-worthy performances in Bandish Bandits and Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, in his kitty. They are a charming and youthful duo, both sharing a passion for films, humour, hard work, and edgy choices.
In fact, Ritwik and Hiya met for the first time while shooting this feature, just days ahead of filming Mon Maaney Na. Their chemistry was a winner, as was this lookbook and our fun chat with the duo, later.
You met at the t2 shoot for the first time after signing Mon Maaney Na...
Ritwik: That’s true! I was really happy to finally meet her because I had already interacted with her over video calls. The moment we met, I just knew we would get along well.
Hiya: I didn’t expect us to connect so easily, but it just happened. Well, I’ve been a fan of his since Bandish Bandits!
Ritwik: That’s what I was hoping you would say!
Hiya: (Laughs) It’s true! I was in my fan mode, so perhaps I didn’t realise we would connect this easily, but it all worked out.
Hiya, this is your debut film, and you are more excited than nervous to be on the set…
Hiya: Yes! I’m even more excited now that we have almost completed shooting. But I realised I wasn’t fully prepared for what happens on set! It’s a wholesome feeling, and now it’s hitting me that it actually happened. The shots came out well — fingers crossed! I’m looking forward to seeing what we shot; I haven’t looked at the monitor yet.
Was it a conscious decision not to look at the monitor?
Ritwik: We didn’t have any time to check the monitor!
Hiya: That’s true! Also, Rahoolda suggested not to look at it, as it would have made me more self-conscious.
Ritwik: Both Hiya and I have watched Kishmish and Dilkhush, and when you’re working with someone like Rahool, you don’t really feel the need to check the monitor. You trust him to make a beautiful movie. Plus, Modhuradi (Palit, cinematographer) handled the camera.
Ritwik, after getting praises for your performance in Khakee: The Bengal Chapter and Bandish Bandits, isn’t your decision to work in regional cinema a bit unusual?
What has worked for me is embracing the unusual. I believe our generation should explore new ways of doing things. I’ve noticed that films being made across every region of the country are gaining attention. It’s time for Bangla cinema to reclaim its place in the forefront. Historically, Bangla cinema has been prominent since the ’40s, ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, but somewhere along the line, it lost its edge. Now, I think it’s time for young Bengalis, both in India and around the world, to embrace their culture and bring it back into the spotlight. I hope this small step I’m taking can lead to greater progress in the future.
Hiya, did you always want to debut in the regional industry because of the family legacy you have in this industry?
I’ve always been open to opportunities. My priority has always been to be part of the storytelling process. The language and region didn’t matter that much to me. However, being Bengali, debuting in a Bengali film is special, especially considering that my grandfather (Shubhendu Chattopadhyay) and father (Saswata Chatterjee) did the same. But I was primarily focused on being part of a good story. I’m glad to have the chance to do both.
Mon Maaney Na is a love story. What made you both say yes to the film?
Hiya: I’ve always been a romantic at heart, so finding out it was a love story was like icing on the cake. With both my parents (Mohua Chatterjee and Saswata Chatterjee) giving their approval, everything came together perfectly. I’m fortunate that my first movie is a love story and that I get to work with Rahool, which I’ve always wanted to do.
Ritwik: For me, what stands out is that both Rahool and the producer, along with the rest of us, grew up in the ’90s, watching the iconic love stories of Yash Chopra, Karan Johar, and Shah Rukh Khan. This film is a heartfelt tribute to all those films of the ’90s that shaped our love for cinema and family entertainers. We wanted to tell stories with big characters and emotional depth, and all of that converges in this project. The films from the mid-’90s to the mid-2000s have influenced us greatly. I want to give back to the generation that inspired our passion for movies. What better way to do that than through a film set in Bengal? Calcutta and West Bengal have been significant consumers of Shah Rukh Khan films. As young voices and filmmakers from the Bengali film industry, if we can express our gratitude through our work, that’s the best way to do it. Any story that gives hope about love, I would like to be a part of it and Mon Maaney Na is a perfect example of that.
Can you tell us a little bit about your roles in Mon Maaney Na?
Hiya: My character is a young girl figuring out life. It’s a story about friendship and love; it covers everything. It portrays Gen Z with a ’90s twist, which really stood out to me when I read the script.
Ritwick: Basically, I play a character named Rahul. This is quite meta since it’s directly related to my director’s name! Rahul is a huge Shah Rukh Khan fan, and he experiences love, falls in love, and learns about the meaning of love throughout the film. That’s about all I can share for now!
Did Ritwik have any suggestions for you, Hiya while you were on set?
Hiya: Yes, I call him my ‘sanity pill’ on set. He helped me stay calm amidst the chaos that happens during filming. From reading exercises to ensuring that I wouldn’t feel overwhelmed, I owe a lot to him. He is an incredibly giving person, both as an individual and as an actor.
Ritwik: I must say, when I was 20 to 23 years old, I did not have the vision or understanding of the craft that she possesses. I find myself very inspired by her, watching her work through a tough schedule and performing the way she does. And it is evident that she is Apuda’s (Saswata Chatterjee) daughter. I believe that once the film comes out, everyone will understand what I’m saying.
And, you have worked with Apuda in Khakee as well…
Ritwik: Now I feel like I’m part of the family! This experience has been as comfortable as it was working with him; he made me feel at home. They both have a charm about them. When they enter a room, you want to talk to them, sit with them, and just engage. They both carry that quality.
Hiya, did Apuda have any suggestions for you before going on set?
Hiya: Well, he doesn’t really believe in giving tips. He believes that to learn a craft, you have to get out there, practice, and learn through the process. I’ve grown up seeing his work, and I am here because of him. I’ve been going to the set with him for as long as I can remember. It’s his dedication to the craft, his discipline, and his commitment that has made me want to be an actor. So even though he hasn’t given me specific tips, I owe everything to him. Also, I learnt acting from Daminee Benny Basu, and my father trusts her completely.
Hiya did the boys (Ritwik and Soumya Mukherjee) make up to you for ditching you ahead of the shoot by not inviting you to their night out?
Hiya: Yeah, they didn’t really have a choice! They were definitely not held at gunpoint the entire day, but the rest of us sort of teamed up against them. That was a lot of fun!
Ritwik: If it had been left to me, that ditching thing would never have happened!
Hiya: I ended up hijacking Ritwik’s car, his make-up room, and pretty much everyone’s personal space during the shoot!
Ritwik: Yeah, now Hiya is taking the lead and is in control of all our plans.
Hiya: Yes, everything is happening according to what I’m saying!
But who was the most mischievous on set?
Hiya: I’d say clumsy or chaotic fits me!
Ritwik: I think the funniest and most chaotic person on set is definitely Hiya! However, we didn’t have a lot of opportunities to be mischievous because everyone was so focused on getting the work done. Our characters were so mischievous that we channelled all that energy into our work.
What was the experience of travelling together for the first time for a shoot?
Ritwik: It was superb! I actually didn’t get to travel with the entire crew for most of the shoot, but we did travel together in North Bengal. We shared a lot of stories and had numerous fun discussions. If someone was missing out on something, we made sure to fill them in with all the details. It was mad fun.
Hiya: The food we had, the weather we experienced…we even had picnics between shots. Even though we were all busy working, we made time for momos and gossip!
What did you both bond over the most?
Ritwik: I think we both share a similar sense of humour…
Hiya: I would like to believe I have a better sense of humour!
Ritwik: We are all delusional like that! But we are both very emotional. I remember watching Hiya perform a scene while sitting at the monitor, and I would find myself crying. I knew Hiya was watching me perform, and she would be tearing up as well. We are both very sensitive people who are deeply in love with cinema, and we both have a terrible sense of humour. I think those are great foundations for a friendship.
Hiya: Since the time we started talking, I have been my absolute unfiltered self with him. I never felt the need to be anything other than myself, and I think that’s because we are very similar. Even though I might be the clumsier one who needs a bit more care, we connect really well.
Your pairing already created a buzz even before you started shooting…
Ritwik: Rahoolda shared with us that someone said we were looking like Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen! It’s just something we’ve heard! That’s a huge compliment, and it made our day. We were smiling from then on. I have always found many of the iconic pairs in Tollywood to be just so endearing on screen. If we can convey even five per cent of that friendship and love on screen, it will be a massive win for us.
Hiya: Yes, it’s something we’ve heard ever since we started this project. I remember blushing when I first heard it, and I still blush now when it’s mentioned. Those pairs are absolute legends. I grew up watching and admiring them, so just the fact that people mention us in the same breath is incredible.
Ritwik, you have to work with me again!
Ritwik: Yes, there’s no choice now. You’ll have to work with me too!
Hiya: Yay! I’m not complaining.
Styling: Mahima Jain
Hiya’s make-up and hair: Abhijit Paul, assisted by Sananda Mondal Laha
Ritwik’s make-up and hair: Hamid and Ayan
Shades: June shop
Ritwik’s shoes: Aniket Gupta Couture
Location: ITC Royal Bengal
