New Delhi, Oct. 16 -- Whether it is 'Phera', 'Winkle Twinkle' or 'The Eken: Kerala-e-Kurukshetra', Ritwick Chakraborty has proved his versatility by taking on vastly different roles. Now, in his first film in the 'Eken Babu' franchise, he plays an antagonist. What sets Ritwick, one of the most talented actors in the Bengali film industry today, apart is the ease and conviction with which he brings each character to life. And he has done it all in a single year. "It is an enormously popular franchise. I had to wait for a few years to get a chance to act in an 'Eken Babu' film," he said.
Interestingly, Ritwick is equally excited about his teenage son's enthusiasm for the franchise. A huge 'Eken Babu' fan, his son knows the films inside out. "He not only knows the dialogues but also every film poster. His generation is obsessed with Eken," said the 'Mayar Jonjal' actor.
While Ritwick enjoyed playing the villain in the latest 'Eken' film, he is also celebrating another milestone: 'The Eken: Kerala-e-Kurukshetra' is his first-ever Durga Puja release. "Yes, I am making my Durga Puja debut and I had a great time shooting for the film," he said.
After nearly 20 years in the industry, Ritwick admits that the traits of different characters have occasionally overlapped. However, he continues to seek distinct roles and refuses to take up projects simply for the money.
His filmography reflects this range. From a maniacal stalker in 'Bhitu' and a foley artist in 'Shabdo' to a weird but sharp-minded lawyer in 'Advocate Achinta Aich' and a corrupt, abusive circus manager in 'Nadharer Bhela', he has explored a wide spectrum of characters. This versatility informs his views on the changing star system. "'Eken' is one of the brightest examples of this. The star system is undergoing a change. There will be different types of stars," he said.
According to Ritwick, audiences today look beyond star power. "The movie needs to stay with them. It isn't just about the star; it is about many other things. In the past, people used to watch movies twice just for the star. Now, when people watch a movie twice, it is proof that the content has worked," he said.
Meanwhile, Pradipta Bhattacharya's 'Nadharer Bhela' is an example of independent cinema finding audiences through alternative distribution. The film adopted a different approach to promotion and screening, with promising results. "We are looking for an alternative way to channel distribution. Ours is an indie distribution network. But the ecosystem doesn't help an indie filmmaker. By the end of the year, we might have 100 shows of 'Nadharer Bhela', including screenings abroad," Ritwick said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.