Rituparna Sengupta, the leading lady of Tollywood (West Bengal film industry), is equally famous across the border, in Dhaliwood. The diva has also starred in some Bollywood films over the last few years. Rituparna was recently in Dhaka. The Daily Star (TDS) caught up with her in the make-up room on the third floor of FDC.
TDS: You’re in Dhaka after a while…
Rituparna: Yes, after five years. I did come here in the last five years, but that wasn’t for shooting.
TDS: You notice any difference?
Rituparna: Literally. I’ve come to work on a film produced by actor Ferdaus. It’s called “Ek Cup Cha”.
TDS: Have you had contacts in the Dhaka film industry?
Rituparna: Certainly. I often hear from Moushumi and Ferdaus. I know that the industry went through a tough time and with the release of some good movies, recently, it has recovered to some extent.
TDS: How did you get involved with “Ek Cup Cha”?
Rituparna: Well, I’m producing a couple of films in Kolkata. The one directed by Jeet is a comedy, titled “Potada-r Kirti”. Ferdaus, Priangshu and I are working on the film. Ferdaus and I had also been working on a couple of other films. During that time Ferdaus asked me if I wanted to be in his film. And I readily accepted.
TDS: You must have been offered other films here as well?
Rituparna: Yes but nothing has been finalised yet.
TDS: How is work in Kolkata these days?
Rituparna: I can name ten recent Kolkata films that I’d done. Seven of them have not been released yet while some five of them have been released this year. Besides, I’m also working in Mumbai. Recently, I’ve finished working on Anjan Dutt’s Hindi film “BBD”. There was another comedy called “Dard-e Disco”; just finished “Dil To Bachcha Hai”. To be honest, it’s quite hectic.
TDS: What’s the difference between Dhaliwood and Tollywood?
Rituparna: Considering the social perspective, films of West Bengal and Bangladesh are almost the same. But the approaches are different. Looking at the commercial films of Bangladesh, you’ll see that almost all the films have heavy dose of comedy. But in Tollywood, films are being made without these elements. On the other hand, folk-themed movies seem to be very popular in Bangladesh. And that is not the case in Kolkata.
TDS: Apparently you draw?
Rituparna: Yes, I do. But, haven’t made anything public yet. And I’m contemplating on doing something like that. I write pretty regularly though.
TDS: Any comment on Ferdaus?
Rituparna: He’s a good person. I pray for the success of his first production “Ek Cup Cha”.
Courtesy of The Daily Star
