Exclusive! Indraneil on playing Feluda: Soumitra Chatterjee first suggested me to try for the role

As Srijit Mukherji’s Feludar Goyendagiri got dropped on Hoichoi on June 17, Sandip Ray has started shooting his Feluda film, Hatyapuri, with Indraneil Sengupta – the new Feluda on the block. The first schedule of shooting is currently taking place in Kolkata, while the second phase will take place in Puri. Based on Satyajit Ray’s iconic detective character, the film will also feature Abhijit Guha as Jatayu and Ayush Das as Topshe. In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, Indraneil talked about the character, his preparation for being Feluda and why he has been irregular in Bengali films.

Also read: Indraneil Sengupta on playing Feluda: It is a dream role for me 

By his own admission, playing Feluda has been a dream for Indraneil. “Soumitra Chatterjee (who played the character in Ray’s films) first pointed out to me that I should try playing Feluda. He asked me to talk to Babuda (Sandip Ray). When Benuda (Sabyasachi Chakrabarty) announced that he would not play Feluda anymore, I met Babuda. It did not immediately happen. However, here I am, playing my dream role, Feluda,” he said.

Talking about his preparations, Indraneil said that he has been accustomed to Feluda’s stories, novels and films since a young age. “The costume and styling team is looking after the appearance. We are not exaggerating much and keeping it simple. Ray’s sketches in the Feluda series have also changed over the years. Babuda was also not rigid over appearance. He said, ‘I am fine with the way you are’. Feluda is also sharp and he looks intellectual. Now that is not something one can put on as makeup and costume. I like to believe that I have that in me. I am well-read and have a certain worldview,” he said. Indraneil also sees Feluda as ‘parar dada’ or the man next-door. “I like to believe that Feluda is relatable. He is smart and sharp but he does not stick out,” said the actor.

Indraneil’s Torulatar Bhoot was released last year in September after a long gap. “I have consciously taken a call that I would only work in selected Bengali films. There was a time when I used to be part of numerous Bengali projects. So much so that my Mumbai colleagues started getting the impression that I live in Kolkata and only travel to Mumbai when there is a need. I didn't want that to happen. I want my work Mumbai-centric. Also, in all these years, I was not offered many good roles,” said the actor.