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Anjan Dutt to play a pivotal role in Aparna Sen’s next

They are two indispensable names in the world of Bengali cinema, who shuffle their roles as filmmakers and actors. After directing him in Yugant, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer and a documentary on Kolkata, Aparna Sen has now roped in Anjan Dutt to play a pivotal role in her upcoming directorial, E Juger Ghare Baire. The duo have earlier worked together as coactors in films like Mahaprithibi and Ek Din Achanak, and will share the screen once again in the upcoming Puja release, Ek Je Chhilo Raja.

The film, which is a reboot of Satyajit Ray’s Ghare-Baire, will see Anjan play the role of Mastarmoshai. Starring Jisshu U Sengupta, Tuhina Das and Anirban Bhattacharya, it is a modern retelling of the love triangle between Tagore’s central characters — Nikhilesh, Sandip and Bimala.

Confirming the news, Anjan said, “It is important for me as a filmmaker to collaborate with a director colleague. Though it is not my film, the project is very important. It is equally important for me as an actor to be part of a film even if I’m not playing a major role because the film itself is important. That is why I agreed to play a very small role in Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. I knew it would become a very important film. To me, Aparna Sen’s modern take on Rabindranath’s Ghare Baire is again one such script. It can go on to become one of the best screen adaptations of Tagore in Bengali cinema.”

Talking about his character, he said, “Initially, someone else was supposed to play the role of Mastarmoshai — the one who taught Nikhilesh and Sandip. But later on, when Rinadi (Aparna) asked me to essay it, I instantly agreed. It is a very interesting character.” In Satyajit Ray’s Ghare-Baire, Mastarmoshai’s role was played by Manoj Mitra.

It was Sandip’s character that particularly intrigued Anjan, who wished to play the role in his younger days. “I always wanted to play Sandip, who was a radical revolutionist. I find the character very interesting. But now I guess it’s too late for me to play Sandip,” said Anjan with a smile.

Anjan’s association with Aparna goes back a long way. “We have worked together as co-actors in leading films. She has always regarded me as a good actor, even when very few people in the industry cared for my work. Thus, I share a great rapport with her,” he said, adding, “I feel Rinadi is one of the finest directors we have today. She is one of those few women directors whose films are loaded with powerful male characters, which I really appreciate.”

When we asked Aparna why she chose Anjan for the role, she replied, “Anjan Dutt is the best actor we have in Bengal. He is even comparable to the best actors in the country. And I am honoured to work with him once again.”

The film will go on the floors from the end of this month.