Actor Siddhartha Mandal has been proving his mettle as an actor by his performances in films, television and web-series. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the actor in an exclusive chat with the actor. Excerpts..

How supportive were your parents when you left your job and started your career in the world of acting?

Siddhartha Mandal– When I left the job my family didn’t speak with me as they felt very insecure with my career in acting. It was full of insecurity. I couldn’t attend any invitation or programme in the family due to the fear of questions regarding why I left my job. I had to face severe financial crisis as I was not getting much work and sometimes I used to get much less than the said amount. When I was suffering from financial crisis I knew many temples where “Prasadh” was distributed free. I didn’t let my family know about my financial crisis and I used to pretend that I am earning well.

Since you are an outsider, what are the challenges that you had to face initially?

Siddhartha Mandal-I faced many challenges. I didn’t have any house to stay and I used to attend auditions by travelling from Purulia. Sometimes I had to stay at the Howrah railway station. Initially when I used to go the studios, production houses etc, I was told to wait for several hours and later they used to question that with whose reference did I came to meet them or did I have any appointment or not. Sometimes they didn’t show up and sometimes they used to kick me out of the studios and sometimes I used to see my torn pictures on the floor.

Do you really think that there is Nepotism in the Bengali film industry?

Siddhartha Mandal– Nepotism starts from our family. It is everywhere and it will be everywhere, therefore we have to live with it. Audience wants to remember you only by your good work not by your background. A film can’t be made successful by nepotism. It can only be successful with talent and performance. Chandan Sen, Kanchan Mallick, Kharaj Mukherjee, Rajatavo Dutta,Biswanath Basu,Shantilal Mukherjee, Aniban Guha, Raj Chakraborty and many more are not a product of nepotism. They are living examples of how talents are. By not casting close friends and family if real talents are given chances, they can get much more fame and respect.

You have acted in films, television and even in web-series. Which medium do you enjoy working the most?

Siddhartha Mandal- I enjoy working in films and web-series as I get much time to prepare myself for the act. And also watching myself in the bigger picture also gives me immense pleasure.

Tell us something about your upcoming projects.

 Siddhartha Mandal- Some to the projects got postponed due to lock down. Rightn ow “Lalbazaar” by Sayantan Ghosal is streaming on Zee5 and I have completed one shooting before lock down which will be on ‘Hoichoi’.

What kind of film do you want to make on Purulia?

Siddhartha Mandal-I want to make a film related to the culture of Purulia on Chata Parav, Chau, Nachni, Jhumur, Vadu and also about the Purulia Kashipur Rajbari Emperor.

Do you have a dream role?

Siddhartha Mandal-Yes I have many dream roles like Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, Joaquin Rafael Phoenix in Joker, Abhimanya in Indian Mythology, Tiresias in Greek Mythology, Gupi in Gupi Gayen Bagha Bayen and many more.

Any actor/actress you look up to as an inspiration?

Siddhartha Mandal- I look up to many actors and actresses as my role model but one who inspires me the most is Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Irfan Khan.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

 Siddhartha Mandal- I have done a cameo role in Web-series “Modi” which was directed by Umesh K Shukla and it was really a great experience. Within the next five years I want to work with the directors I haven’t worked with especially Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Buddhadeb Das Gupta, Aparna Sen, Goutam Ghosh also with national level directors. I also to want to work in films in different languages!! Yes I know it’s tough but still I have a dream to do it.

We hope that his dreams are fulfilled soon and he achieves much success in his career!!