Buddhadev’s Tope deals with artists being used as bait

Acclaimed director Buddhadev Dasgupta in his upcoming film ‘Tope’ focuses on how the artistic community is often used as bait in the present society to serve personal interests.

The movie is based on one of the stories of Bengali literature written by Narayan Gangopadhyay.

The national award-winning director said the story had great relevance in the present society where “writers, painters, directors and singers are falling prey (Tope) to the machinations to lure someone or themselves becoming baits. Not just the artistic community, but a common man also feels threatened over the developments when he sees how people are becoming gullible to temptations.”

“I do not wish to be used as a bait to lure someone, nor do I want others to lose their identities and become baits themselves,” he added.

Asked if ‘Tope’ can be considered as a continuation of his journey from ‘Grihajuddha’ which had dealt with the role of money power, he said in the affirmative.

“Yes, in both direct and indirect ways it has been a journey. The milestones are changing places, the destinations are pushed further as the things around us have changed as the society has changed,” he said.

Talking about the film, Buddhadev said that he wanted a new face, an unconventional face, for the protagonist’s role and Sudipto Chattopadhyay has fitted the bill perfectly. Among the female characters, Malabika is also a new face apart from the established actresses like Paoli Dam and Ananya Chatterjee.

The director, who has garnered a lot critical applause for his work said he only makes films when he wants and does not wish to join the league of filmmakers working for awards.

“I will only keep doing things in my own way, doing my brand of cinema on subjects closer to my heart and which agitate and inspire me.”