Hindi cinema is uncertain: Indraneil Sengupta

Actor Indraneil Sengupta who returns to Hindi television with Jamai Raja shares his experience of juggling time between Hindi, Bengali films, television and his personal priorities – wife Barkha and their beautiful daughter Meera. In an exclusive chat with the dashing actor.
What was the reason behind saying yes to this role in Jamai Raja?
I had many reasons to take up this show. It’s been a while and most of the shows that I have done so far have been with Zee TV, so I share a good rapport with the channel. Secondly, although I don’t watch television shows, but surfing once in a while, I did catch Jamai Raja a couple of times. I like the overall entertainment quotient of the show with its gripping storyline. Also, the show has a lot to offer to the actors, in terms of scope for performance. Ravi happens to be my good friend, Nia and Achint Kaur have also done a fabulous job and so, I felt that this is a good show to be a part of.
What is your role after the leap?
I enact the character of Dev who comes from a Bengali family, and his family has known Roshni’s family for a long time. Being Roshni’s old friend, he also shares a great bond and chemistry with her. The character of Dev is a quiet, reserved person who has totally engrossed himself in his work. He is an extremely well-read person and is very articulate. So adept is he at putting his points across that there is seldom any space left for arguments with him. Despite being a successful businessman, a benevolent philanthropist, Dev keeps a low profile as much as possible. Something in the past has affected him deeply and he does not have a very positive outlook towards the concept of love. What happens next and how the story shapes up going forward, you will know once you watch the show.
How have you prepared yourself for this role?
I have done no special preparation for the character. I am going to work according to the script given to me. I am looking forward to meeting the expectations of the creative team and the audiences who love the show. I will be honest in my portrayal of the character by giving my best.
What would you prefer when it comes to TV and films?
Both the mediums are completely different and challenging in very different ways. Personally, there is more creative satisfaction in films because you can improvise more. You have the luxury of time to work on your character to enhance it further. The number of scenes shot per day are lesser in a film. You can focus more on the acting quality. On the other hand, there is a time constraint on television. The shooting schedules are hectic. However, an actor always gives his best, irrespective of the medium he is part of.
How do you plan to manage your schedule between these two?
Now that I am a part of a daily soap, it will be challenge to juggle films and television both because my character has recently been introduced. Currently, the work load is more but I am enjoying my role of Dev. I have done television in the past, so I completely understand the deadlines and the work scenario. But in the course of time, the story tends to get divided between characters and things do ease up a little bit, so I’ll see what I can manage then. With daily soaps, we shoot around 26 days a month and with such hectic schedules, sometimes you have to forego other options. I have just completed shooting for a film while simultaneously working for Jamai Raja and if the roles offered are appealing enough, I will try my best to manage both
Are you not trying to be a part of Bollywood?
Hindi cinema is very uncertain. Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don’t. I have been around in the industry for long and people are aware of my presence. If someone feels the need to cast me, they will approach me. I am well past that phase where I will be doing rounds and showing my pictures to directors. I am not chasing films, for sure. If a good script demands my contribution as an actor, I am sure I will be approached by the makers.
Tell us about your association with Marathi cinema?
I have recently finished a film called ‘& Zara Hatke’ which is a Ravi Jhadhav production. It is directed by Prakash Kunte. It is a family film and will soon (most probably July) hit the theatres for all to enjoy.
How did you get the language (Marathi) right for the film?
I am playing the character of a Bengali artist in the film. I will be seen talking mostly in Hindi and very less Marathi and Bengali. So that way, I did not really have to struggle with the language. But I am excited to try something different in other language as well.
How do you manage between various regional projects?
Other than ‘& Zara Hatke’ I have done mostly Bengali films. So that was not difficult for me. As an actor, it is just acting irrespective of the language. I believe that being an actor one should be open to foray into any language provided the script is compelling. Every film has the same process of working, only the language is different.
What is your dream role?
I have never thought of a dream role. I like a lot of roles and can’t pick just one of them.
How do you make sure that you have given your best, to both your family and the profession?
Well, for me there is no problem because after shooting I go back home and spend time with my family. I have done Bengali cinema for 7 years and was away from the Mumbai scene. Due to my professional commitments I used to be in Kolkata most of the time. Now that my daughter is 4 and a half years old, it was high time to be around her.
Have you given a thought of coming back together with your wife on screen, again?
Both Barkha and I are willing to work together. Since we can’t write a script ourselves, we are waiting for a script where we both look good together. We also wish to be a part of a script which has a good subject. If we had the money to produce something together, we would have. I am looking forward to work with my wife!
In an industry like this, relationships keep changing. What is your secret of the chemistry with your wife?
I agree but there are a lot of couples like us who have been together for long and still happily married. A commitment towards a relationship is not fulfilled only by love but also understanding. There are a lot of compromises that you have to make to ensure that your relationship works. You have to think about each other and it is very important to develop that bond. I have a 4 year old daughter that makes us more responsible and so we give more than 100 percent. The most important thing is the willingness to spend your entire life with that person no matter what the situation is.
If your daughter expresses her will to enter this industry after growing up, will you allow her?
Whatever field she develops her interest in, she will have our support. We would like her to complete her studies and then decide. If you ask her right now, she wants to become a painter and keeps sketching the entire day. We see to it that we help her in improvising the skill
How do you define love?
That’s a tough one. For me, when another person starts being more important than you, its love. Love is when you do everything possible to see the happiness on other person’s face and they become more important to you.
What would you choose- Kolkata or Mumbai?
I have stayed in Mumbai for around 15 years now. My family and my professional life is here. So I’m used to the pace and life in Mumbai. Kolkata is very different from Mumbai in terms of pace and in terms of people. For me both the cities are good, but I connect more with Mumbai.