The location was the office of Windows Production House. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with Nobin Chandra Das and his wife Khirodmoni over cups of green tea. Wondering how is that possible? Well do not think much as we caught up with the lead pair of the upcoming Bengali film Rosogolla- Ujaan Ganguly and Abantika. Read on…

Tell us about this journey of becoming Nobin Chandra Das and Khirodmoni..

Abantika- My journey began a bit early than his. It began about one and a half year ago. I gave my audition and Pavel da saw it. At one instance, I was selected and the other time I was rejected. After this long strenuous process, I was finally selected for the role of Khirodmoni.

Ujaan- My mother got a call from Windows office as they wanted me to come and meet Pavel. I had understood that it was regarding some film. But I had no idea that it was for such a big film like Rosogolla. It is in this way that I began my journey of becoming Nobin Chandra Das.

Abantika, you began your journey as a child artist. How did you do the research to become Khirodmoni?

Abantika- I always wore a sari back at home and practised wearing it. Apart from my school time, I was always in a sari. I have learned to stitch, to grate coconuts and also adapted the language that was prevalent during that time. Hutum Pyanchar Noksha is a book which I was asked to read so that I could be comfortable with the language of that time period.

What about you, Ujaan?

Ujaan- Well, before the shooting began, I went to the factory of K.C.Dass to learn the art of making Rosogolla. I had also learnt to make some other sweets like Makha Sandesh and others too. I was given the option to only learn the mannerisms of a sweet maker but I thought it is better to learn it in a good way so that I get it all correctly on the big screen. It was during this process that I understood the psychology of a young man trying to discover something. It was during this process that I discovered Nobin.

How much do you like eating Rosogolla?

Abantika- Oh I absolutely love them. I don’t know about him (points at Ujaan).

Ujaan- No, No, that was earlier. I was not too fond of sweets. However during the making of the film and for the promotion of the film, I have eaten so many of them, that I have grown a liking for them. Now I eat two or three at one time.

Tell us about some sweet and funny incidents that happened during the shooting of the film Rosogolla.

Ujaan- The best thing that happened on the sets of Rosogolla was Abantika. She was the junior most on the sets and we all used to pull her leg very much. Broto was present who was much younger than her. However when he opened his mouth, he was more matured than even many of us.

Abantika- We had a young group and we used to sing Doraemon songs.

Ujaan- And, I used to think that how they will be performing next in the film. However one memorable incident was when we were shooting at Bolpur and it was very cold there. It was about 4 degrees. I was in a cotton kurta and all the others in the set were wearing warm clothes. Seeing them was making me feel even colder. It was a four hour scene and suddenly I saw the director opening his jacket. Seeing that all the others on the set also opened their warm clothes and caps to provide me mental support!! This happens only in films. This was a huge moment for me.

How was Pavel as a director? Did he scold you on the sets? Who got the maximum scolding?

Abantika- I received the maximum scolding. However it was for the best. He also encouraged me when I did a scene perfectly.

Ujaan- It is his second film and that also a period film. So problems were there. Hence a bit of scolding to get the maximum out of us was there. Had he not scolded us, we might not have done the scene in the way that he wanted us to do.

How has your parents reacted after watching the standee and the trailer of the film?

Ujaan- My parents (Kaushik and Churni Ganguly) was very proud. They are now waiting for the film to release so that they can watch it. I am only waiting for their reaction. It will be interesting to get their reaction.

Abantika- My father is super excited after watching the trailer. My mother used to be on the sets and hence she saw me performing. But my father is just waiting for the film to be released.

Ujaan- Yes, Abantika’s mother was like a light of hope on the sets. She was the unpaid member on the set who had great dedication and love for all of us. Whether it was supplying medicine or Odomos, she was always there to help us.

How has your friends reacted to the trailer?

Abantika- They had been extremely supportive. Many of them have started calling me Rosogolla. Even they send me birthday wishes like Happy Birthday Rosogolla. I have shared links with many of my friends and they have again shared it.

Ujaan- I have got extremely positive feedbacks. The amount of love and best wishes that is being showered has only proved that we are part of such a huge sweet adventure.

What is next in line for you? Any plans???

Ujaan- Right now we are both busy with the promotions of this film. And after this we have our studies to complete too. I will be busy with my University and Abantika with her school studies. However we did get some offers but it will be better if the concerned directors and production houses speak about that.

Rosogolla is creating quite a buzz among the audience. What are your expectations from the film?

Ujaan- When Nobin Chandra Das was making Rosogolla, he had to face obstacles and he persevered. That led to the development of this sweet that has stood the test of time. Likewise, we all have persevered to make this film and we also hope that the audience will like it. “Hobe! Hobe!” as goes a famous dialogue from the film- we also believe the same for the film.

Wishing all the luck to the debutant actors Ujaan and Abantika!! May their career begin on a sweet note!!