Indra: One of the Powerful Minds of the Bengali Film Industry

Indra How did you start or land up in this world of Bengali Films?

I always loved the film-making process from childhood. I loved to be on the sets of my dad’shooting projects. I loved it. But I never knew I would act. I started as a gaffer in lots of bengali, marathi & hindi projects. Then we started a light hire rental business. Suddenly, one day I met a director who was doing ad shoot, and I had gone their as light supplier. His name was Javed alam. I don’t know what he had seen in me.

We became close. I considered him as my father figure. He sowed the seeds of acting in me. Inspired me, taught me and pushed me to be an actor. But sadly, he died a few years back. I miss him always. If he was not there, maybe I woudnt be an actor. And also, my wife Sudeshna always pushed me to be an actor. She always supported me, and still does so. Without her also, I wouldn’t be what I am today or what I am going to be tomorrow.

Being a prime Bengali Film Industry patron, why did you choose Mumbai over Kolkata as your base of action?

Kolkata gave me my birth, but Mumbai gave me my soul, my everything. From a very small age, I have been here in mumbai. The city has given me hope, love, money, networks & everything which I longed for. And mostly, I am a big fan of konkan food, which I am sorry to say unavailable in kolkata (laughs)

Indra Would you go for a Bollywood film, if offered?

I love Bollywood films, but on acting grounds, I will always prefer Bengali films. I wish to be of service to the Bengali film industry and help it to reach the PAN-INDIA status level, which bengal is continuously failing to reach. Hum Honge kamyaab, hum honge kamyaab..ek din…I believe in this. “Hum” means the bengali industry as a whole, not me individually. Indra

Indra What’s your most favourite work of yours?

My most favourite work of mine is “Kotha Dilam” a zee music bangla original music video, which sadly didn’t work. “Shey kokhon Jabe Chole” is mine most hittest song, crossing millions. I also love “Tomake Chai” due to Rakesh Panday’s extravagant direction skills. “Sugar daddy” a short film regarding homosexuality gave me an international boost of audience, for which I thank my brother Sumiran Banerjee heavily. “Influencer” by shamik da is too good also. I am sorry you asked my most favourite work, I couldn’t choose just one.

Indra What is your next line up of projects?

Unlike dad, I have been very selective about projects I be into, right from the start. Due to this thing, I had problems with loads of creative teams of some big production houses. But I always focused on what I want to be as an actor, I have never worked for money. Actually most of my earnings are from business, I hardly take money for the roles I do.. because films are all about my passion.

I sleep, eat,drink cinema!! Rakesh’s “Moner Gopon Kotha” coming this puja. Then I have again Rakesh’short film “Question Mark?” .. Then #vacation , then Saurav’s “Bondhu Chol” and then more on the way. Will let you know once announced or else the production guys will fire me off (laughs)

It’s always heard that you promote new talent whether in acting or technical or directorial. Why do you take the risk which others in your industry do not?

Because of only one thing, decades back when my grandfather was going through the toughest phase of his life, when his father died when he was not even 10yrs old, when he was selling products as a sales guy in his fathers shop, which had been diplomatically transferred to his uncles name, after the death of his father, there was a MAN!!

Yes..i repeat there was a man, named Uttam Kumar.. The Mahanayak of bengali cinema!

He used to buy products as a customer from my grandfather…and they became friends…and one day that MAN..when he was at the peak of his career…he offered my grandfather free dates ..and post -film release share deal…so that my grandfather could be able to produce our productions first film in 1960’s “Jibon Mrityu” which my grandfather later sold to Tarachand Barjatya as “Jeevan Mrityu”. That’s how much we are indebted to Uttam Kumar..

And that’s why I always help new people, new talent…poor guys…less-priviledged people. And I will forever continue to take that risk..as I have told already, my family will forever be indebted to that MAN & his ideologies !!

Indra , In this era of PAN -INDIA Films, where do you see your bengali film industry?

Bengal is gonna bounce back soon. After 1980’s its going through a rough patch for decades. Certain films have been cult hits in the last few decades, but to say as a industry we are lagging behind due to monopolistic way of film-making, bad selection of creative directors and lots of political interference in films.

There are wrong people at the big positions of the bengali industry. But I believe, some actor turned producers like DEV, JEET are trying their level best to bring Bengal to the PAN-India level. I believe and I wish that we will be their very soon. Even I and my company are also planning for something Pan-India level, but it will take time to finalize. We wont jump without research.

Indra , You have a beautiful son Vivaan, can you say a few words regarding him?

Gosh! (being emo..) Vivaan ..I call him Pablo…he is my soulmate..my world! No amount of words is sufficient to describe my love for him. My whole career became big after he was born. He is my lucky charm! My blessings, love & support will always be with him. He is the biggest and bestest gift God has given me. I love you Pablo!!

Do you ever wish to or plan to put your son into acting?

Look! Being a dad does not mean that you own your child. We are raising cattle here (laughs).. he is a different entity. I always think and believe, that I am forever thankful to him, that he got born as my son. That’s it! Nothing.. Now he becomes an actor, painter, doctor, engineer, businessman or anything, I am there.. that’s it.. I am there as a support system ..as a lifeline…in all the ways he needs me! I think that’s Fathership.. not dominance or predetermining what one’s child will become.. rather being a support system always!

Indra , Your dad is an actor in Bengali film industry.. so have you been part of this Nepotism prevailing?

No I haven’t been part of it.. because I have always taken the road which is less travelled by!

Travelling through a road which is less travelled by..gives you pain…but in realtime, there is no actual gain without tremendous pain.right?

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