Sushant Singh Rajput: Glad to be a part of the changing Bollywood

  • IndiaGlitz, [Wednesday,March 18 2015]

SSR (Sushant Singh Rajput) believes the grammar of B-town movie making is changing and he is glad to be a part with 'Detective Byomkesh Bakshy'. In a candid chit chat the talented actor shares his childhood detective fantasies, the reason for introducing funk, jazz, pop and rock elements in the movie. His dreams before entering Bollywood and his hunger for exciting and thrilling roles irrespective of the medium – big Screen, small screen or live (theatre).

A period detective drama helmed by Dibakar Banerjee under YRF banner with you as the protagonist. How interesting and different.

Things are changing. There is a space for innovative thinking. People are ready for exposure, believe and acceptance for different genre is rapidly growing as there is a spurt of audience who are appreciating this twist in b-town movie making tale. Am very excited glad that YRF and Dibaker Banerjee believed me to be a part of this movement of change we are witnessing in Bollywood.

What makes it different?

It's very Indian. Contemporary set in 1940's a very Indian Bengali detective. Based on the fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi created by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay. We are introducing it to the people who are not aware of this Indian detective and those who are aware will get nostalgic.

Its period, Indian then why we see the infusion of jazz, funk, pop, rock elements in the promos.

That was Dibaker's idea and the result is incredible. What we have kept in mind is the period 1940's, every frame depicts the era. The funk, jazz, pop, rock is infused to make it identifiable to the current generation and get their instant connect. The idiom of trance, funk, jazz is there to get the audience hooked, engaged while the story is kept untouched and told as it is in the history.

Reference points

Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay's novels on the fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi created by him.

Any other.. British Novels, Holmes, etc

No other reference points. No Agatha Christie, Sherlok Holmes, Karamchand, Byomkesh Bakshi TV series. Nothing else.

Detective characters have something peculiar, unique in their characteristic mannerisms what does Byomkesh has

Basically a detective is a person who has the extra ability to observe things beyond the surface. Due to this specialty he becomes an introvert. He observes more and talks less. You will find this in Byomkesh.

What peculiar action/gesture/dialogue is attached that defines Byomkesh like "Elementary, My Dear Watson!" by Sherlok Holmes, or the desi carrot chewing Karamchand.

Byomkesh is scared of blood. He is lonely. He is more of an intellectual. His intellectual attributes are more superior then his physical abilities.

Detectives you have followed since childhood.

Rajit Kapur's Byomkesh, Pankaj Kapur's Karamchand, Vijay Anand's Tehikikat, Agatha Christie novels, Sherlok Holmes of the 1940's, 50's, Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlok Holmes, British detective novels all of them.

What was your aim before entering the film industry?

To act and give interviews

That dream has already being achieved. You are acting and giving interviews before. Before entering Bollywood you where already a popular TV star.

Yeah true. But I am cherishing this dream to be a movie star since the last ten years

So Big screen was always your choice.. Suppose you get something challenging on small screen will you say no

I don't work for any medium. I work for my satisfaction as an actor. It doesn,t matter what camera is in front of me – big screen, small screen, or live (theatre) to that matter. If I am confident and believe in what I am doing, the audience will also respond to the character I am playing irrespective of the medium through which the performance is coming. I believe for an actor the role should be exciting and thrilling medium doesn,t matter.

Your Bollywood career graph has being interesting a district level cricketer cum coach in Kai Po Che, a commitment phobic lover in Shudh Desi Romance, a Pakistani lover longing for his Hindustani love in PK and now a Bengali period detective. How you describe your journey so far

It's a learning process and the most important thing I have learnt is that hard work is the prime necessity to achieve something in this industry.

What you learnt during the filming of 'Detective Byomkesh Bakshi'

Dibakar Banerjee is a brilliant director and according to me he is at his best in the film. I have tried to give my best. I have a long way to go but as yet Detective Byomkesh Bakshi is my best role till date.