The only singing-star in Bengali cinema

Were you nervous about sharing screen space with a Bollywood actress like Raveena Tandon?
There is no scope to feel nervous with such a grounded actress like Raveenaji. She is simply great in the way she carries herself on and off the sets, the way she hobnobs with everyone around - these are things one can learn from. Besides, I shared screen space with Prosenjit for my first film and with Rituparna Sengupta in my second film. Both are not only humble, but also go all out to help any newcomer they work with. I was more nervous about portraying a Tagore character than sharing screen space with Raveenaji. Bringing a Tagore character to life on screen is too big a social responsibility for any actor. The challenge is also big. This nervousness is not only natural but also necessary for the pressure needed to bring a character like Rebati alive on screen.

To which forthcoming releases are you looking forward?
I am playing the main role in Brishtir Chhayachhobi directed by actor Dulal Lahiri. Rituparna plays my romantic interest. Then there is Basu Chatterjee's rollicking comedy Kalidas O Chemistry opposite Sreelekha Mitra. Shukla Mitra's Teen Tonoya is another ambitious project I am looking forward to. The film is based on three Tagore poems and I feature in one of these poems. I have also sung two lovely Tagore songs in the film. I have never got repetitive or stereotypical roles. In Riingo's Jodi Ek Din, I played a surrealistic magician. In Riingo's telefilm The Cottage, a thriller, I have done a character no one would ever have imagined me playing. I am shaped to be romantic actor. Action hero roles are not my cup of tea.

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