KNOWN BUT UNKNOWN: TOLLYWOOD COMEDY ACTOR DEBASISH GANGULY SPEAKS UP

CELEBRITY:  DEBASISH GANGULY
PLACE OF INTERVIEW:  AMAR PALLY, DUMDUM, KOLKATA

After spending 14 years onscreen performances in the Tollywood film industry, still his real name is not so famous. If we want to say the names of the comedy actors of today of Tollywood hardly anyone can guess Debasish Ganguly among them. However, if we say ‘Kedar’ (‘Ranga Tamasha’ TV serial), ‘Pute’ (‘Chuni Panna’ TV serial), ‘Johny Mama’ (‘Sathihara’ Feature film) or ‘Kyangla’ of ‘Boyei Gelo’ TV serial, there will be a large section of fans and TV addicts will say ‘YEEEES we know him’. Even in this media hyped era, till date any main stream media didn’t focus any attention on him. Debasish Ganguly for many people who is ‘Kedar’, ‘Pute’, ‘Johny Mama’, or ‘Kyangla’ talks with timesofnorth.IN correspondent Kaushik Ghosh in a candid interaction at his Dumdum, Kolkata residence. Here we present some excerpts of that interview:

Q: You have been into performing arts since long, can you tell us the most influencing factor behind choosing performing arts?

A: Basically I have inherited this talent from my mother. My mother is a very good singer.  Apart from Rabindra Sangeet or Najrul Geeti, she sung popular modern songs also.  Some songs like ‘Chale Jete Jete’ (‘Mon Niye’ cinema) of Lata Mangeshkar still make me nostalgic. It was one of her favourite songs that she sings it in a regular way.  My father was my childhood idol, who was very handsome but was not associated with the cultural world.

Q:  Who/ what inspired you to come into the acting arena?

A: When I was in 7^th or 8^th standard, I used to act in front of the mirror. It was my hobby during that time. Later I joined a group theatre. My first group play was ‘Madhuchandrima’. I played a double role there, which got maximum praise at that time. Then I came across many other theatres also. Right now I am acting in ‘Elam Phire’ drama of ‘Mangalik’ group theatre (Dir: Samir Biswas). Here my character’s name is Sona. I am very much obliged to Samir Babu for choosing me for the role.

Q: Please share something about your journey into Mega Serials and Cinema.

A: My first TV serial was ‘Banglar Dakat’ telecasted in Doordarshan.  And my first film was ‘Arjun Amar Naam’ directed by Prabir Nandi. I have to wait sometime for ‘Chuni Panna’ to on air. When it did I got a glimpse of success. I was identified by the masses. At first I did not have any particular character in ‘Chuni Panna’ but later I was given a character named ‘Pute’ (son of ‘Fuluri Pishi’).  Just few months back I went to Chittagong, Bangladesh. I was deeply overwhelmed by the hospitality of the people there. I was really astonished when I have found people were saying that they loved my ‘Pute’ character.  After ‘Chuni Panna’ I have worked in ‘Ei Ghar Ei Sansar’, ‘Lukochuri’, ‘Tithir Atithi’, ‘Nader Nimai’, ‘Alor Basha’ (All of them had a more than 350 episode on-air appearances), ‘E Kon Sakal’, ‘Arabya Rajani’ etc.  In ‘Arabya Rajani’ (Dir: Ratul Ganguly) I played the role of the Minister’s son.

Q: What about your Silver Screen performances?

A: After my debut film ‘Arjun Amar Naam,’ I have worked in several other films including ‘Sathihara’ (Dir: Biresh Chattopadhyay), ‘Mrityughanta’ (Dir: Dipak Sanyal) and ‘Bidhatar Lekha’ (shared screen with Priyanshu Chatterjee).  I have even acted in a Rajbongshi film of Tollygunj titled ‘Sonali Swapno’ (Dir: Rupak Chakraborty). In this film I was the 2^nd Police officer of a Thana and Rajatava Dutta was my boss (1^st Police officer).  In ‘Sathihara’ film I played the character of Johny Mama.  The dialogues ‘Chhakka-put’, ‘Chhakka-panja’ of this film is still so popular that I still have to deliver those during my stage performances.

Q: Tell something about your upcoming films?

A: ‘Jug Jug Jiyo’ (Dir: Sankar Roy), ‘Aartonaad’ (Dir:Sankar Roy) ‘Baro Eka Laage’ (Dir: Gobinda Sil and shared screen with Hiran) and ‘Mrityughanta’ (Dir: Dipak Sanyal) are my forthcoming films. In ‘Aartonaad’ I had played a character that belongs to the third gender.  When his parents left him because of that reason, he was brought up by his neighbors. Later he adopted one child. The problems he faced to rear a child by a third gender, is the main theme of the film. In the film there was a scene, where my child and my neighbor’s child both are crying, my character was found helpless because he cannot offer breast milk. This scene was very important for the film. In my real life, I feel like if at all God gives me the opportunity (financially), I’ll adopt one orphan child.

Q: Characters you like to play from old Holly-Bolly-Tolly films?

A: Perhaps any actor would be happy to play a character like Charlie Chaplin. I am not an exception of that. Besides this, I think any actor would like to perform in characters played by Rabi Ghose (‘Dhanni Meye’ and ‘Chhayasurya’), Tulshi Chakraborty (‘Saare Chuattar’ and ‘Parash Pathar’). Tarun Kumar is also my favourite actor and I like to perform several characters of him. The problem is that now nobody has the guts to make a film like ‘Saare Chuattar’. I think this film must be shown in any theatre workshop. At present, I want to do some serious character role in the films. Already I have done one serious character role in a film called ‘Atanka.com’. In this regard I would like to mention that once director Partha Sarathi Bhattacharyya directed some telefilms for Tara TV. He gave me a chance to perform versatile roles in different telefilms.

Q: What is the story behind your irregular appearances on screen?

A:  (Laughing) Yes, although it is very painful but it’s true. I have noticed that the persons who excluded me from their productions even after final commitment, they got big success.  For example since for the last two months one director committed me a good role in his forthcoming serial. Now I came to know that I am not doing the role. I feel that like earlier times this serial will also be a big hit Ha ha ha ha…..  Earlier these things hurt me deeply, now I don’t bother all these, its part and parcel of this industry.  However, I must say that a number of people are there without whom I could not survive in the industry for a long14 years.

Q: Can you name them?

A: Yes of course. Dwijen Bandyopadhyay, Biplabketan Chakraborty, Biresh Chattopadhyay, Rabi Kinnagi, Swarnendu Samaddar, Chanchal Saha, Gobinda Sil, Chandan Das are the persons to whom I am very much obliged. It was just because of Swarnendu Da that my character was present till last episode of ‘Boyei Gelo’ (Swarnendu Samaddar also cast him in ‘Arakkhania’).

Q: Please tell us something about your Star co-actors you have worked with?

A: I have acted with Mohan Aghase in ‘Saptasure’ film. He is a complete actor indeed in today’s film industry. During the time of shooting, I have deeply noticed this personality and wondered that how one great talent can make him simple for others. Really it’s a great lesson for us. In Tollygunj, Late Kunal Mitra, Kharaj Mukherjee, Kanchan Mallick, Dev, Jeet, Priyangshu all are very good actors and also human beings too. Kanchan Da, Lama Da is also very cooperative towards me. One day during the time of shooting with Jeet I could not find myself well, then Jeet came to me with a bottle of water and I have noticed that apart from a good actor, Jeet is a good human being too.

Q: Tell about your experience in the Group Theatres?

A: It is both good and bad. I have learnt a lot from my group theatre co-actors and directors.  But one problem of the group theatre is here the recognition factor is very less despite you performing out of your box. We have to overcome this mentality. I am a very big fan of Utpal Dutt, Ajitesh Bandyopadhyay and other stalwarts. I think Utpal Dutta is the person who opened a new lifeline of comedy in Bengali and Hindi films apart from theatre.

Q: You have participated in a TV comedy show ‘Enjoy Guru’. How was your experience?

A: Yes. It was also a nice experience for me. Particularly watching Mir’s anchoring closely was a great opportunity for me.  He always cheered us. One day after my performance he told me in the backstage that “Bhai Baanglai Ekhono Abhineta Achhe”. His inspiration will always be remembered.

Q: With whom you like to work in future?

A: I am eagerly waiting to work with Sandip Ray, Shibaprasad Mukhopadhyay-Nandita Roy, Aniket Chattopadhyay, Anindya Chattopadhyay, Kaushik Ganguly and so on.  I don’t know when or from whom I will get the opportunity, however, I am hopeful that if I work hard and keep patience, one day will come when I will be a part of their unit.