New Delhi, Oct. 16 -- Four much-hyped Bengali films have hit the screens this Durga Puja and the box-office race is yet to confirm a clear winner. However, eight months into 2026, one film has emerged as a clear frontrunner: Abir Chatterjee-starrer 'Saptadingar Guptodhon', in which he reprises his popular detective character, Sona Da. But have you seen the superstar making grand declarations about his film's success on social media? His films may create a lot of noise, but he doesn't.
So, when we asked him whether he was the 'silent superstar' of the Bengali film industry, Abir, with his characteristic smile, said, "I would rather stick to the first word. silent. I would love to be silent. I'll promote my films, but otherwise, I'll try to remain silent." Or has he grown quieter in response to the changing dynamics of the industry? "With age and experience, I have learnt that it's better to remain silent and focus on my work. At the end of the day, you can't fool the audience," said the 'Putulnacher Itikatha' actor.
Abir's latest film, 'Emperor Vs Sarat Chandra', has been released this Puja, making him a familiar face in the festive box-office race. In fact, he had two releases during Durga Puja last year: Anik Dutta's 'Joto Kando Kolkatatei' and Shiboprosad Mukhopadhyay and Nandita Roy's 'Raktabeej 2'. Over the past few years, he has consistently featured in major Puja releases. This time, he has joined hands with director Srijit Mukherji for 'Emperor Vs Sarat Chandra', in which he plays Sabyasachi, the protagonist of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's revolutionary novel 'Pather Dabi'. The book was banned by the British administration in 1927.
"Srijit and I might have creative differences, but when he offers me a character, I know it's going to be a challenging one," said the actor, known for his performance in 'Shahjahan Regency'.
Describing Sabyasachi, Abir called him a superhero of sorts, a revolutionary who can speak multiple languages and is engaged in the fight against British rule. Given the character's linguistic range, dubbing for the film was a time-consuming process for the actor. The film moves between two timelines, one centred on Sarat Chandra and the other on Sabyasachi. Working on 'Emperor Vs Sarat Chandra' also reminded Abir of his 2024 film 'Shri Swapankumarer Badami Hyenar Kobole', which similarly juxtaposed two timelines while exploring the relationship between a creator and the character he brings to life.
Asked about the film's relevance in contemporary times, particularly against the backdrop of a culture of bans, Abir pointed to its historical roots. The film revisits an episode from a century ago, he said, that continues to be relevant even today.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.