The shooting of the upcoming Bengali film Datta was in progress at Belgachia Rajbari. The Kolkata Mail correspondent caught up with the director and the cast members about their working experiences.

The film is basically a romantic story between an affluent Brahmo woman and a Hindu young man. Datta is based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel by the same name.

This is the debut film of Nirmal Chakraborty.

Rituparna Sengupta plays Bijaya in the film. Speaking in between shots, the actress said “I am glad that Nirmal da thought of me for the role. He knows me for a long time. Hence he has a guardian like attitude towards me. The story is also so lovely. Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay thought of such intricate relationships so many years ago. It is indeed a pleasure to shoot for the film”.

Biswajit Chakraborty will be seen in the role of Bijaya’s guardian Rashbehari. The role was earlier played by Utpal Dutta. “There is always a challenge when playing a role in a classic film like Datta. Many reputed actors already have done these roles. It is on us as to how we can do it in a way so that the audience also likes it” said the actor.

Joy Sengupta plays Naren in Datta. “When we do classical films at such awesome shooting spots, the experience is enriching. We mostly do films which are set in today’s times and hence we do not get such an atmosphere or character to portray on screen. With this character, I got to do something different and I am having a great time” said the actor.

Looking dapper in curled locks, Punjabi and dhoti, Saheb will be seen playing the role of Bilash Bihari in the film. “The character I am playing is opposite to my real self. Bilash is very practical, shrewd and to an extent proud. I am on the other hand sentimental and emotional. He wants to possess the love of Bijaya. You cannot possess somebody. In that way the person slips away from you. He is unable to understand that. He is the negative person in the story who you need to highlight the goodness of the hero” said Saheb.

Nirmal Chakraborty mentioned Datta was one of his favourite novels. He wanted to make a film on a novel and Sarat Chandra’s novels have a certain cinematic element. He also said that he had Rituparna in mind from the beginning to play the role of Bijaya.

The director had known the actress for a long time now. When asked about his experience of directing Rituparna, he said “I just tell her what is the scene and what the earlier scene was. The remaining part she does on her own”.

With such a stellar cast, Datta is surely a film to watch out for!!

Priyanka Dutta