Exclusive! Indrasish Roy on Lokkhi Chele: Kaushik Ganguly offered me this character when nobody was offering me any role

Indrasish Roy’s portrayal of Rajat Narayan Ray in Kaushik Ganguly’s Lokkhi Chele has received appreciation from viewers and critics alike. The actor plays a high caste landlord in a village that is overcast with superstition and dogma. Rajat is a shrewd and cruel negative character who sends chills down the spine with his presence. Meanwhile, he is also a popular face on TV. Currently, his portrayal of Lalon in Dhulokona has become very popular with the serial topping the TRP on several occasions. In an interview with OTTplay, Indrasish talks about bagging the role, his TV works and a lot more. Read on…

While your performance has been appreciated, we can’t quite claim that your character is loved…

We have been visiting halls and on Sunday, we went to Nandan. The reactions there were overwhelming. What can be a greater gift than receiving love from the audience? However, yes, portraying Rajat was a huge journey for me. I have been acting for a long time and I never played any character like this. Rajat is far from who I am. I do not have an iota of any trait of Rajat. He is a superstitious, upper-caste landlord. The film was shot three years ago when I was younger. I was unsure of how much justice I could do to a character who doesn’t understand his wrongdoings. It was difficult to play that cruel man but hats off to KG (Kaushik Ganguly). He is arguably one of the finest directors of our time. I was very surprised when he offered me the role.

Why were you surprised?

Kaushik Ganguly offered me this character when nobody was offering me any role. I was practically sitting jobless at my house. Today, when I was visiting the halls for Lokkhi Chele, many youngsters approached me and asked if this was my debut film. This is my 18th film. People almost forgot about me when I got this chance. There are several actors, who are my contemporaries and they could have done a good job also. But I had to prove that I can also act well. I am glad that happened.

But why did you not get a job?

It is because I could not ask for a role. My PR and networking skills are not that great and hence I could not approach directors for work. Anyway, in Bengal, the number of artistes is higher than the number of work possibilities. There was a time when nobody was even considering me. I used to feel like showing my skills. And KG offered me the role.

Also read: Lokkhi Chele review: Kaushik Ganguly creates a deeply disturbing saga that holds a mirror up to society  

What was KG’s brief to you during the shooting?

He just told me to be convincing. He kept on telling me that I will be able to do it. During that time I tried to think like Rajat. Every morning I used to internalise the character, who doesn’t know that he is not doing the right thing. He believes what he does is right. He is casteist, superstitious and powerful. He becomes cruel because Amir Hussain (Ujaan Ganguly) and his friends jeopardise his control over the area as the landlord. I really had to work hard for the character.

Tell us about Dhulokona. How is your TV work going?

It feels great. Dhulokona gave me the fame that was gone. It instilled the faith in me that I am also a successful hero and I can do what a hero needs to do. Before signing for Dhulokona, I took permission from KG. I wanted to check if the hero inside me was still alive. Dhulokona has made that happen.

But isn’t the work taxing?

I come from a middle-class family and I have always seen my father going to the office every day. In my head, going to work every day is a good thing. I am glad that I have work for which I leave my house every day for work like my father.

Do you watch TV serials?

Yes, of course. Mithai is my favourite serial. Ever since its promo was dropped, I have been watching it. I find serials very interesting. The way they capture the attention of the audience is commendable.

You are supposed to play Feluda on stage…

Yes, we were rehearsing. Suddenly the offer of Dhulokona came in. We could have just staged it. But together we decided that we would take some more time. I will find a window of two months for rehearsals. Now we plan to stage it next year on Satyajit Ray’s birthday.