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Anirban Bhattacharya on Byomkesh O Pinjrapol: I have not yet decided how long I would like to play Byomkesh Bakshi
In a chat with OTTplay, Anirban opens up about the monotony of playing Byomkesh and how he breaks it. Read on…
Apr 07, 2023
Anirban Bhattacharya as Byomkesh Bakshi
Anirban Bhattacharya is back with the eighth season of Byomkesh on Hoichoi. This time, the show is directed by Kia and Cosmos-fame Sudipto Roy. Besides playing Byomkesh, Anirban is also the creative director of the show. With Ridhima Ghosh and Satyabati and Bhaswar Chatterjee as Ajit, the show has started getting appreciation from critics. In a chat with OTTplay, Anirban opens up about the monotony of playing Byomkesh and how he breaks it. Read on…
What was in your mind when you started working as the creative director?
Byomkesh is the longest-running show on Hoichoi. The second one is probably, the Hello series. It has been running for years because it received love from the audience. However, there has been obvious fatigue from running something for years. I told the producers that we were not exploring the series in terms of visuals, look and feel, etc. We wanted to deviate a bit, nothing radical, keeping the original story, time frame, etc intact. This confidence came from the love we received consistently over the years for Byomkesh.
And how about an actor? How did you bring change to the character?
Meanwhile, as an actor also, it was a bit tiring. Every actor, who plays Byomkesh or any other sleuth, will admit that after a while, it is repetitive. Byomkesh is a stoic character. He is sharp and intelligent. There is no crisis within the character. We wanted to bring in a tad blood-and-flesh to the character. In this series, Byomkesh suffers from diarrhoea or some kind of stomach flu. He feels the need to use the washroom more often. This traitor makes Byomkesh a human. A lot of makers created Byomkesh as a hero – Batman-like – who can run, chase and fight. I have no inhibition with such interpretations. For me though, Byomkesh resorts to the brain – his thinking ability. In certain ways, he expects Satyabati to cook while he thinks.
How did the change in the look and feel happen?
Sudipto, Pratik (Dutta), and I worked together from the script level. Pratik brought a significant change in turning Golap Colony into Pinjrapol. A garden gets replaced with pottery. We also got away with the episode of Sunaina. Then everyone joined it. Production, costume, DOP, sound engineers, and others joined in. The sound engineer and colourist came in. All of them together brought in the change.
It has been widely reported that you will no longer play Byomkesh after the next two series…
I have not yet decided how long I would like to play Byomkesh Bakshi.
Meanwhile, are you now gearing up for Srijit Mukherji’s Byomkesh O Durgo Rawhosyo?
Yes. I just read the script.
Also read: Exclusive! Srijit Mukherji to bring Durgo Rohoshyo on Hoichoi with Anirban Bhattacharya as Byomkesh
Will you also work as the creative director for it?
No. I am just an actor there. I have no creative input in Srijitda’s Byomkesh.
This is the first time you worked with Bhaswar Chatterjee as Ajit and he has been receiving a lot of critical acclaim for his portrayal…
Yes. Bhaswarda joined in pretty surprisingly. We, as a team, were in absolute dismay since Suprobhat was not available due to his other commitments. There were looking out for an actor fitted for this role. There were auditions and we almost selected an actor when someone suggested Bhaswarda’s name. After the preliminary talks, we were sure that he will be the perfect Ajit. And then after the lookset, there was no iota of doubt. We can see we were right since he is getting a lot of appreciation after the release of this Byomkesh.
Also read: Byomkesh on Hoichoi: Is Rahul the new Ajit in Srijit Mukherji’s Durgo Rawhoshyo web series?
Yet, he will be replaced in Durgo Rawhoshyo…
That’s absolutely a directorial decision. Since I am working just within an actor’s capacity, I have no POV on the casting. We had a script reading. The preproduction has probably started.
How was Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway’s success party in Mumbai?
It was fabulous. I went to Mumbai for a day. I am really glad that I went. I was introduced to many people there who appreciated my work. Rani also informed me that a lot of stalwarts from the Hindi film industry liked my work. I am very pleased and a tad excited. I am not very expressive in terms of showing excitement. But I really am. Rani was very kind at the party. She introduced me to Amit Trivedi. She also called me during the cake-cutting celebrations. I am a bit shy and she was like, “Come Anirban. We’ll cut the cake now.” In fact, I met many team members for the first time. They also appreciated my work.
You once said that you are not very confident in Hindi like you are in Bengali and hence you might rethink Hindi offers when they come. Has the success of this film given you more confidence now?
Yes, for sure. This is my first Hindi film and I got to work in a prominent role. My work has been noted. What can I say? Not everyone gets this kind of exposure. Also, I watched myself on the screen and I am happy with my work. Having said that I will still take my time to evaluate if I am fitted for the character or if the character is something within my reach to portray. I have no Hindi offer right now but when it comes I will surely give it a thought.
Shah Rukh Khan took to Twitter to congratulate you. How does it feel?
What can I say? It feels like dream. It is beyond a dream actually. I have never thought that none other than Shah Rukh Khan will ever watch my film. Now he has not only watched but also congratulated. it is something beyond a dream.
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