Actor Indraniel Sen Gupta who has made mark for himself as suave urban guy will been seen on Zee TV’s “Jamai Raja” after a long break. A known name in Bengali cinema, in Hindi circuit people recognise him instantly for his role as Vidya Balan’s missing husband Arnab Bagchi in Sujoy Ghosh’s “Kahaani”.
In an interaction the 41-year-old talks about his return to the small screen, his take on the Bengali film industry and how Indian television is changing.
Excerpts:
On his role in “Jamai Raja” and why he accepted it
I have been doing Bengali films in Kolkata, whereas my family is in Mumbai where my daughter is growing up here. I have been chasing my creative satisfaction by doing good Bengali films and have done some 35 films in the last few years. So, I wanted a break from Bengali films and was looking to do some work on television for past 6 months but things didn’t work out. Then “Jamai Raja” came and I decided to go for the show because it gives me an opportunity to exploit my acting potential. I found the show very entertaining. Also this is the third time that I will be working with Zee TV.
On how he views the content of TV shows
Unfortunately, Indian TV shows are very regressive. Attempts have been made in past few years to come up with fresh and better content but most of them have been unsuccessful. Also when you don't get TRPs you have to go back to the same old content which the audience likes to watch, because in the end the producers also have to make money. But the attempts made do give us a hint of better things coming. Let us hope the audience gets educated and we go back to the golden days of TV when content was the king.
On difference between Bollywood and Bengali film industry
The difference is only in the budgets of the films made. The Bengali industry usually works on a low budget but it is extremely creative. They have a whole treasure of good literature, good writers and good stories. Since the budget is low, it shows on the production value of the film. Though a low budget industry, it is full of talent. Talent there, if not above, is at par with Bollywood or any other regional industry.
On whether language hampers Bengali actors’ prospects in Bollywood
Yes, language still is a problem but it is not only about language. People born and brought up in Kolkata or Bengal, have different language, mannerism and pace of life. For them it is a different world here in Mumbai. Many of them struggle to adjust in the fast paced life of the city and don't want to run in the rat race. There are a lot of Bengali people working in Bollywood, the creative section is full of them and we have music directors from Bengal. Yes, in front of the camera, you won't find many Bengali actors.
On acceptance of regional actors by television and Bollywood industry
The industry is going through a phase where these lines drawn between regional and national are getting blurred. Regional actors are coming up on national platform and Hindi actors are going back to their own languages. Like me, Riteish is also doing Marathi movies. Earlier if you did television you did not get work in Bollywood, but now it is not like that. It is all one industry now.
