I'll be directing a Hindi film soon: Prosenjit

While Chatterjee saw unprecedented success as the hero of commercial Bengali films in the early part of his career, he wooed urban viewers with avant garde films like Rituparno Ghosh's Dosar, Srijit Mukerji's Autograph, where he plays the nayak (hero) with feet of clay.

Chatterjee has also appeared in Hindi productions, including Dibakar Banerjee's Shanghai (2012). Goutam Ghose's drama Shankhachil, which won the National Award and has been released outside Kolkata with English subtitles. Prakton (Former), in which he re-unites with his co-star of several hit films, Rituparna Sengupta, after 14 years, also got rave reviews.

Chatterjee has just seen success playing the role of 'Kakababu' in Srijit Mukherji's Yeti Abhijaan which released during Durgapuja this year. Chatterjee has a whole lot of films lined up for the rest of 2017 and then, is actively pursuing film direction, which has been pulling him for some time now.

In an interview with Nandini Guha, the son of Hindi film actor Biswajit, talks about his new films, his lifestyle and his dreams.

How far have you proceeded with your plan of directing films?

I'm definitely considering film direction. But my first directorial venture will be a Hindi film. I have identified a story as well. And the producer will be different (not me). I have a lot of films lined up though (as an actor). It may be 2019 before this film takes off.

Yeti Abhijaan has been very well received. How did the project come about?

When the original story was written by Sunil Gangopadhyay, it was very much a children's detective tale. I think the real challenge was to make the plot contemporary and suitable for the younger generation. Srijit did precisely that. Here, my assistant Santu has grown up and the relationship between uncle and nephew has matured. Santu is at the centre of the action in this film and knows judo and karate. Kakkababu is also not an ordinary sleuth (tiktiki). He's quite savvy technologically. Besides he's a world traveler, an adventurer and appeals to the young generation. The visuals are also brilliant (Switzerland).Though we had release dates at puja time, the film did exceptionally well because of the contemporary appeal of the story and its treatment by the director.

Shankhachil was a movie that won accolades. Tell us about your experience of working with Goutam Ghose.

Gourtamda has this wonderful knack of delving into one's roots. I did Moner Manush with him, which was a biopic of Lalon Fakir, the spiritual leader and folk singer. Since then, we have shared a wonderful equation. In Shankhachil, the character I play is a very simple guy – a school teacher, a father – but there are many layers. In fact, Goutamda and me are getting together again for another film. The discussions are going on at the moment.

You never looked at Bollywood films seriously?

The main reason I did not foray into Bollywood was because there was tremendous pressure on me in Bengal at any given time. Commercial cinema or otherwise, there would be at least 20 producers putting money on my films. It was a huge responsibility. The credit of my second innings in Bollywood goes to Dibakar Banerjee, who made several trips to Kolkata to convince me that my role in Shanghai could not be done by anyone else.

Now, I'm ready for a good role if there is one. I'd like to work with young but brilliant directors like Dibakar Banerjee, Sujoy Ghosh, Mani Ratnam…

Your upcoming projects?

My next release is the film Mayurakshi directed by Atanu Ghosh. In the film, Soumitra Chatterjee plays the father and I play the son. Then, there's this film I'm doing with Rituparna again. Shooting begins in November. There's a new film by Pratim D Gupta which I have committed to. Then there's another by Goutam Ghose – bound to be different from the rest. I'm also in talks with Anjan Dutt for a film.

You still fit the role of a hero so well. What do you do for your fitness?

I lead a very disciplined life. I eat healthy and exercise daily for at least a couple of hours. I also swim. I avoid junk food and eat only two spoonfuls of rice in a whole week. If there is any means of relaxation, it is watching films. Lots of them.

Any dream role that you still want to play?

I definitely want to play the role of Godfather. I'd also love to explore comedy because I think it is the most interesting as well as challenging aspect of acting. I enjoy working with the new crop of young directors in Bollywood, Anurag Basu, Dibakar Banerji, Sujit Bose.

In Bengal I've worked with almost every single director, except Mrinal Sen. Srijit Mukherji, Kaushik Ganguly, Pratim D Gupta, as well as veterans like Goutam Ghose and Anjan Dutt who are excellent as directors and bring out the best in me. I'd also love to work with Mani Ratnam one day.