Bollywood actor Tushar Pandey is known for his role in the 2019 film Chhichhore. His professional training and career started at the National School of Drama. He is also trained in physical theatre and finished his advanced training at the London International School of Performing Arts, London. The actor recently was part of Soumyajit Majumdar’s film Homecoming.

The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the talented actor in an exclusive telephonic chat. Excerpts..

Can you tell us about your character in Homecoming?

Tushar Pandey- I play the role of Subho. He connects all the characters in the film. He is the central figure of the theatre group. The theatre group has been started by him. He is an inspirational figure for his group members.

The members of the theatre group reunite for the first time after seven years on an eventful Durga Pujo night at their old rehearsal space. The bungalow where they rehearsed earlier will now be converted into Kolkata’s first five-star heritage hotel by the Ganges.

How did you bag this project?

Tushar Pandey- I have spent a lot of time acting in theatre productions. The director was well aware of my works in theatre. He liked my acting in Chhichhore. After listening to the script, I liked it immediately as I found a pure connection with the script. I have seen Bengali films and I can understand the culture. So it was a great connection.

How was your experience of working in Homecoming?

Tushar Pandey- It was an amazing experience. We started shooting before the pandemic in 2020. We shot the film only at night. It was a new and fun experience for me. We completed the film in 2021 after the pandemic began. I loved everything about Kolkata when I was shooting the film in the city.

The film had actors from a theatre background. Was that helpful during the shooting?

Tushar Pandey- I took workshops of the other actors and I used all my theatre working experience in these workshops. I was thoroughly involved with the project.

You worked with a team consisting of mostly Bengalis. How much Bengali did you learn during the shooting?

Tushar Pandey- I learned Bengali to portray my character Subho. Many people actually thought of me to be Bengali.

Now that you have done a film in Kolkata, will we get to see you in more Bengali projects?

Tushar Pandey- I have shot for a Bollywood film in Kolkata during the pandemic. I do not want to reveal the name of the film yet.

What are your upcoming projects?

Tushar Pandey- There is a film in which I am the solo lead. And the other is the commercial film set in Kolkata. I cannot reveal the names yet.

You have acted in web series (Aashram) and also in films. Which medium do you enjoy working more?

Tushar Pandey- I have enjoyed working in both mediums. In web series, you can explore more but the actor needs to devote more time. For the web series Aashram, we had to shoot for four months. However, both mediums provide great learning experiences.

The film Homecoming will be exclusively released and streamed on SonyLIV.