Prosenjit talks about “Moner Manush” and expanding the horizons of Bangla cinema
For Bengali superstar Prosenjit, essaying the role of Lalon in Goutam Ghosh-directed “Moner Manush” was like a dream come true.
The 48-year-old actor, who has worked in nearly 300 Bangla films and a few Hindi movies, said he was eagerly waiting to be offered the role of Lalon.
“When I read the novel by Sunil Gangopadhyay (on which the film is based), I said to myself ‘this is a challenge for an actor and I would love to play it.’ It was a surprise for me when Goutamda called me to ask whether I had dates for the film. I jumped at the chance though I normally have a packed schedule,” Prosenjit told the media in Panaji, Goa during the 41st International Film Festival of India.
He said, “I learnt many things including how to play ektara. But beyond the physical aspects, it was a difficult role to play because I had to feel the character from within. I left my world and decided to be on my own for eight months, I grew a beard and when I finished the film, it took me some time to come out of the Lalon mode,” said the actor.
Prosenjit said he is thankful to directors like Rituparno Ghosh, in whose films too the actor has featured, and Goutam Ghosh for bringing out and utilising the actor inside him.
“I thank Rituda who first offered me roles which made people see the actor in me. When people like Goutamda and Buddhadebda (Dasgupta) offer you a role, you step up. They know how to get the best out of an actor,” Prosenjit said.
The actor felt that despite having good content, Bangla films lack global appeal due to poor marketing.
Prosenjit said that commercial Bangla cinema is yet to find its market beyond Bengal but hopes that things will change with his latest film “Moner Manush”.
“The problem with Bangla cinema is that it has always focused on the art side but not on the commercial aspects which have become increasingly important now. Films by masters like Satyajit Ray are known even to the non-Bengali audience.
“But commercial Bangla cinema is yet to find an audience beyond
Bengal. However, things are changing for good, we are opening up to new markets.
“This is why ‘Moner Manush’ is very important for the Bangla film industry because it is a co-production and we will get access to more people,” Prosenjit said.
Apart from Prosenjit, the film also stars Bangladeshi actors Raisul Islam Asad, Syed Hasan Imam, Champa and Chanchal Chowdhury, among others.