Shabash Feluda-actor Rwitobroto Mukherjee: For me, Parambrata Chatterjee is the real-life Feluda

Rwitobroto Mukherjee is all set to debut as Topshe – perhaps the most coveted satellite of a detective in the Bengali entertainment industry. On May 5 the first season of Shabash Feluda will be dropped. Directed by Arindam Sil, Parambrata Chatterjee will be seen as Feluda. With Ritwick Chakraborty, Rudranil Ghosh, Sauraseni Maitra, and others, the first season will explore Satyajit Ray’s Gangtoke Gondogol. Before the release, the newest Topshe on the block, Rwitobroto, talked about his experience. Read on…

Are you nervous before the release?

No. I was under no pressure. This Topshe is chilled out. He wants to be like Feluda one day. Satyajit Ray wrote the story in the ’70s and our series takes a modern approach. Even today’s Topshe idolises Feluda and tries to learn from him. I just followed my brief.

Topshe is a pretty coveted character. Isn’t it?

Way before I actually wished to play the character, the character came to my doorstep. Since I was very young, I have been told by various people – filmmakers and otherwise – that I will make a good Topshe. There were fan arts on social media portraying me as Topshe. I am used to the idea of playing Topshe, although this is the first time I actually played it. I really liked the idea that common viewers thought that I will make a good Topshe.

How did you get this offer?

During the lockdown, Arindamkaku (Sil, director) told me that I would have to play Topshe in his Feluda. Then the lockdown took place and everything got stalled. This was not the first time though. Earlier, I was called to play Topshe in Sandip Ray’s Badshahi Angti. It was during the time of my board exam. I had to opt out because I could not afford to miss out on one year of school. At some point in time, when Paramda (Parambrata Chatterjee) directed Feluda, he also told me to play Topshey. I had to take a whole month off from my studies and that did not work out. This time, it is finally there.

Are you excited about playing Topshe?

Literary characters are usually well-celebrated. Topshe is one of the most widely read characters. What drew me to the project is the modern adaptation of Feluda. Arindamkaku came up with a contemporary approach. This is not a classical Feluda per se. There has been a lot of criticism over making Feluda contemporary. Over a long period, classics have been given a contemporary twist. I studied comparative literature and I was taught why it is important to have a modern take on the existing literature. While our sentiments are attached to Feluda novels, we must also understand that a lot of younger generation people did not read the actual book. Arindamkaku’s Feluda will attract them also. Meanwhile, if we watch it without any inhibition like we watch Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock, people will love this Feluda. I was fascinated with the script.

How was it to play assistant of Parambrata Chatterjee, who is evidently close to you?

Paramda is, in fact, the real-life Feluda in my life. I look up to him, not just as an actor but also as the human being he is. Topshey wants to imbibe the characteristics of Feluda and I really want to follow Paramda in many ways. I was lucky to have him around me in my first venture as Topshe. Paramda and I have a natural coordination through which the job became easy for me. He is probably the only one who played Topshe and Feluda. Hence, he has always been a perfect guide. Moreover, his presence made my long schedule better.

What is the USP of Shabash Feluda?

I always felt that a large section of viewers are young and probably did not read Feluda. They will see a fresh take on the legendary character. I understand that many viewers are possessive about Feluda. However, there is a little insularity among a section of the audience as well. I think this is a well-made series and people who will open their minds will love it. Padmanabha Dasgupta and Arindamkaku penned a very good script. He has also mounted the story well. His adaptation has multiple cliffhangers and each is written with great care. Today’s viewers are used to watching Wednesday and Sherlock. I am sure they will love the modern take of Ray’s Feluda.