Kakababur Protyaborton, an upcoming Bengali film starring actor Prosenjit Chatterjee and Aryann Bhowmik and directed by Srijit Mukherji, is all set for a grand Christmas release. Talking about the film, Bhowmik, who will be seen playing the character of Santu, says the shoot was more exciting than he had imagined it would be.
“It was very thrilling to shoot for Kakababur Protyaborton. The previous two film shootings have been adventurous, so I was already expecting the same but I didn’t expect such a great experience. We knew that shooting in Africa would be fun and exciting but a lot of surprises on-screen and off-screen left us completely awestruck. I was thrilled to be a part of this journey,” he says.
Based on Jongoler Moddhey Ek Hotel by author Sunil Gangopadhyay, this film will be the third instalment in the director’s Kakababu series, after Mishawr Rawhoshyo and Yeti Obhijaan. This is also the fourth film Bhowmik will be seen alongside Chatterjee.
“When I first worked with him in Cholo Paltai, it was like a dream come true. I was really nervous the day I met him but within five minutes, he made it so easy for me,” says Bhowmik. “Initially I realised I was working with a star but now he has become like a father figure to me. He guides me and helps me a lot through everything. His charm and charisma are such that it does not feel like you’re around a huge star. It’s been an honour to work with such a talented actor,” he adds.
The film has been extensively shot in Kenya and Bhowmik says he loved being around animals while shooting.
“Being a wildlife lover, I enjoyed every bit of it but surely the logistics of the filmmaking was challenging. Shooting at a foreign place on such a tight schedule, and around so many wild animals was a huge challenge,” says the actor.
His character, over the three films, has matured, he says. “Most of the people who have read Kakababu in their childhood are very familiar with the character of Santu. Srijit Mukherji has made some tiny changes to the character here and there. Like, Santu now appears to be more mature. But, his original traits, like Santu being trained in martial arts, him being an adventure lover, and how much he idolises Kakababu, have all been retained.”
Talking about the growth of his character he says, “Unlike the other films I have done, this is the only one where I have acted in a series. For Mishawr Rawhoshyo I had sketched out the character of Santu from the books and the way Srijitda had written the characteristics in the script. But for Yeti Obhijaan I could take reference from my own portrayal of Santu in the previous film. Characteristics-wise, Santu has gained immense maturity compared to the first film as he has aged through the films too. He’s more confident now in the situations where real threat arises. It almost seems like he’s more used to now to the dangers around them.”
Prosenjit Aryann
Bhowmik was also seen in another detective film, Durgeshgorer Guptodhan, which released in 2019. But, for him the experience of working in two detective films has been different.
“The storylines were definitely different. Although both had the thrill, the adventure level in Kakababu films has always been more. Durgeshgorer Guptodhan explored more into human feelings, whereas Kakababu is all about the adventure quotient. The approaches of both directors, Srijit Mukherji and Dhrubo Banerjee are very different, which makes their films unique and fun to work with,” says Bhowmik.
On working with Mukherji for the third time, the actor says, “He (Mukherji) is like an elder brother to me. He is a perfectionist when it comes to filmmaking thus it is always an utter pleasure to work in his films. He is extremely clear about his vision and can understand what his actors are going through. My directorial schooling started with Srijit da in Mishawr Rawhoshyo. Now after two films, I can understand what he wants even without him pointing it out. He allows his actors to have a lot of creative freedom. When a director is so clear about his vision, it becomes better for the actor.”
আফ্রিকার বিস্তর জঙ্গল, কাকাবাবু-সন্তু জুটি আর জঙ্গলের মধ্যে এক হোটেল…
Here’s the Official Teaser of #KakababurProtyaborton, a film by @srijitspeaketh | Releasing #ThisChristmas in theaters near you!@prosenjitbumba @AryannBhowmik Anirban Chakrabarti @iindraadip @iammony pic.twitter.com/1Mg6uxqPC5
— SVF (@SVFsocial) November 15, 2020
Both Mishawr Rawhoshyo and Yeti Obhijaan did well at the box office and Bhowmik is confident that Kakababur Protyaborton will also receive the same love.
“The Kakababu series has a huge audience and everybody is thrilled that the third installation is coming. People have shown us so much love that I am confident even with pandemic restrictions, the film will see a huge audience. Especially the heights at which the director has taken this film, I think it might even break the record of the last two installations,” he says.
The actor is working as a lead on a Bengali daily soap, titled Titli, on Star Jalsha.
“There are talks going on for other projects but as of now, I have not signed anything,” he adds.
Photo Credit – Durlav Roy Chowdhury (Cropped & Edited)
