One is known as Pushkin, and the other as Pocha. Even on the shooting floor, their chemistry creates a special bond that transcends the screen. In the upcoming film Daktar Kaku, director Pavel and National Award-winning actor Riddhi Sen play two childhood friends whose bond serves as the central theme of the narrative. As their friendship plays a major role in the movie, Pavel started crying as he talked about his time working with Riddhi.

Riddhi Sen portrays Pushkin in the movie. The name is by no means coincidental. Prosenjit Chatterjee plays Daktar Kaku, Pushkin’s father, a left-leaning literary enthusiast. He named his son after the well-known Russian poet and novelist Alexander Pushkin because of his passion for reading. In contrast, Pavel portrays Pocha, whose true name is Karna. These two characters have been friends since they were young, and their bond serves as the film’s emotional core.

Pocha works as a fish vendor in Daktar Kaku. Daktar Kaku enters the life of this young man from a disadvantaged background as a ray of hope. Pocha learns to dream because of his love, faith, and blessings. He eventually embarks on an incredible journey from selling fish to becoming a doctor as a result of those dreams. Pushkin continues to be much more than just a friend during this metamorphosis, emerging as one of Pocha’s strongest pillars. For this reason, Pocha never calls Prosenjit Chatterjee’s character by name; instead, he refers to him as Daktar Kaku.

Pavel conveyed his sincere admiration for Riddhi Sen. “I had previously worked with Riddhi in Mon Kharap. We have endless discussions about books, academics, politics, life, and a plethora of common topics. We have serious conversations as well as lighthearted ones. Having Riddhi by my side as Pushkin made playing Pocha much easier. He still exudes a certain innocence that was crucial to the character. I consider it a great honor to share screen time with an actor who has won a national award. He taught me so much throughout the entire shoot,” said Pavel.

Pavel has taken on a new challenge as an actor after directing a number of critically acclaimed movies. Daktar Kaku is not just the story of a doctor; it is also the story of a dreamer who dares to rise above his circumstances, of a mentor whose blessings transform a life, and of an unbreakable friendship between two boys. Riddhi Sen proved to be an ideal companion on this journey. The relationship between Pocha and Pushkin has already emerged as one of the movie’s main talking points among moviegoers even before it was released.

Priyanka Dutta