Amartya Ray: Bounced off Ajay Devgn’s energy in Maidaan

Last seen in Maradonar Juto, Amartya Ray is all set for his upcoming release Maidaan. The film, starring Ajay Devgn in the lead role as a football coach, would see Amartya as the team’s captain, inspired by real-life legend Chuni Goswami.

OTTplay caught up with the actor to talk about his latest release, upcoming projects and working with Ajay. Excerpts from the interview:

What was the reaction for Maradonar Juto?

It was good considering the state - elections, rising COVID cases. We got lots of viewership in the first few days. One of my friends’ grandmother was recovering and Maradonar Juto put a smile on her face. That was one of the best things I heard as a feedback.

Tell me about your debut in web series.

I think my experience was really fun. I became really good friends with my director Moinak. We were shooting in January and I was about to leave for Maidaan shooting. It was lots of fun with us pulling each others’ legs. The vibe on the sets was quite happy, which was good.

Any memorable moments on sets?

Yeah. It was my first time kissing on-screen. It was the same for Susmita, so we were nervous about the scene, but that nervousness was converted into a joke.

Were you shooting during partial lockdown?

I completed Maradonar Juto and had started shooting for Maidaan in Mumbai. The shoot was going great, till the lockdown was announced.

You got to work with Ajay Devgn so early in your career. Tell me about your experience with him.

Maidaan is definitely the biggest experience of my life, cinema-wise. Shooting for the film is a dream. It’s a very difficult film, because we literally bled and gave it all, but it’s like a dream. I had quite a few scenes with Ajay sir. He never suppressed my capacity to act in front of him. He’s a serious actor, and his character also has a lot of gravity. He carries some energy with him when he enters the set, right before the shot. I never think acting is solo, but teamwork, and it depends on your co-stars or the crew. I really bounced off his energy, which helped me a lot.

Any acting tips you got from Ajay Devgn?

He doesn’t believe in giving tips, from what I saw. He is among those who let newcomers be themselves. There’s a very crucial scene in the film, where we both had to cry. That scene inspired me. The pain was quite visible in his eyes. He warned me beforehand about Mumbai weather too.

How did you bag Maidaan?

I was at home when I got a call that somebody is making a film on the golden era of football and Ajay Devgn was playing the coach, the lead in the film. Then they asked me if I want to try for the role of Chuni Goswami. Those three things were enough for me.

You have worked in both Bengali and Hindi cinema. Would you completely switch to Bollywood soon?

Since I’m shifting to Mumbai after my studies at FTII, that is the plan. However, I’m always open to working in good Bengali cinema.

Both Maradonar Juto and Maidaan are about football. Did you play football and had dreams of becoming a soccer player?

The pre-requisite for Maidaan actually was that the actor must have played the sport. I have played football with my local gang and I love the sport, but I didn’t have dream to become a soccer player.

Did you happen to meet Chuni Goswami for Maidaan?

I had met him once previously. He was a special guest during one of my plays. For Maidaan, we went through old tapes as part of the research.

Your upcoming projects?

I do have a web series after Maidaan but it is too early to talk about that.