‘NO LOMPHO JHOMPO MARKA FILM FOR ME’ SAYS SWARNA, THE TV DIRECTOR

His name may not be known to the Bengali TV viewers but his works definitely speaks a lot, in fact TV serial addicts today live in his works. He is none other than the famous and iconic TV Serial Director Swarnendu Samaddar lovably known as SWARNA. He may have become a lawyer or teacher of a village school or may have been in the office finishing his job to return as a daily passenger at his house, however, fate didn’t permit him. So, he is Swarnendu the director, the maker of the iconic Mega serials in Bengali TV world like Ogo Bodhu Sundari, Boyei Gelo, Raage Anuraage, Ranga Mathai Chiruni, Roilo Ferar Nimontron etc. He is the most talked about the most sought after TV director of Tollywood. Kaushik Ghosh from timesofnorth.IN interacted with this personality to take a peep in this professional life through his words.

TNI: So like most of the artists or directors of current generation you also come to this industry having a family background?
SAMADDAR: Oh no no! not at all, I don’t have any so called filmy family background. However, my mother and elder sister sing very well. That’s all is a connection with the art world. I was brought up in family with cultural attachment.

TNI: Then how did you link with this industry?
SAMADDAR: That’s destiny. My father wanted me to be a lawyer after completion of my graduation. However, I had my own alternatives on the other hand I could not find out any justification to take money from my father in that stage. I, as a typical Bengali self esteemed unemployed youth realized the pressure on my father if I squeezed out my pocket money from him. Then like all other typical Bengali near and dear ones, they also tried to convince me that trying in School Service Commission may be the best option for me.

TNI: Then what happened?
SAMADDAR: By that time I had taken my admission in the Burdwan University (M.A. in History under distance mode) which was still not my cup of tea. A miracle happened after that, I saw an advertisement for course on direction given by a training institute run by the famous Bengali director Anjan Chowdhury. I took no time to leave the Burdwan University course and took admission in the course. There I have taken training for 1-1.5 months.

TNI: This is reminds a similar situation faced by a contemporary comic artist of Tollywood.
SAMADDAR: Not fully. I have read the advertisement in the newspaper properly. On the other hand, the person you are mentioning saw concerned advertisement in the newspaper which was used for wrapping clothes by a laundry.

TNI: So that was the story, behind your joining the industry as a director.
SAMADDAR: Well, that part of my life was very interesting in my career. After completion of the course I teamed up with Sandip (son of Anjan Chowdhury) as his assistant. During that period he was making several short films. I also learnt a lot of technical details from Mr. Bablu Samaddar.

TNI: Then how did Ravi Ojha production happened?
SAMADDAR: Before joining Ravi Ojha production, I worked as an observer in the TV series ‘Erao Shatru’ under Anjan Chowdhury productions.

TNI: How did Ravi Ojha Productions ‘Khela’ happen?
SAMADDAR: When I was working as an assistant to the director Biswajit Ganguly, one day Biswajit da took a leave in shooting for his birthday celebration. Raviji was handled the operation on that day. That was the turning point. Ravi ji became impressed with my work he said “it’s a nice experience to work with you”. It was a memorable day in my life. I always feel that Ravi ji is such a person with whom I can stay as an assistant for my whole life.

TNI: He is now seriously ill.
SAMADDAR: This is one of the saddest moments in my life. I can’t believe this situation happening right now. Ravi ji is coming to the sets as he used to do when he was fit. He is watching the work, but the most unfortunate part is that he can’t communicate with us because of his illness. When I see tears in his eyes while he is on the sets, I become confident that we have done something wrong.

TNI: Tell something about the most talked about debut of yours ‘Ogo Bodhu Sundari’ in Star Jalsa.
SAMADDAR: At first I was the Chief Assistant Director of Ravi Ojha in that project. Later, Ravi ji went to Mumbai to make its Hindi version ‘Sasural Genda Phool’ (Star Plus). This led me to direct this serial. After that I directed this serial for next 1.5 year i.e. till its end.

TNI: And your trail-run after that?
SAMADDAR: After ‘Ogo Bodhu Sundari’ there was no looking back. Next was ‘Roilo Ferar Nimantran’ for Star Jalsha, ‘Arakshaniya’ in ETV Bangla, ‘Ranga Mathay Chiruni’ in ETV Bangla (first 90 episodes), ‘Boyei Gelo’ in Zee Bangla. Currently I am into directing ‘Raage Anurage’ which is telecasted on Zee Bangla.

TNI: Now, since you are a part of the famous Raj Chakraborty productions, can we expect some reality shows from you?
SAMADDAR: He (Raj Chakraborty) is a stalwart in non-fiction productions, however, I can clarify that right now I am not doing such projects. However, I was and I am still a regular viewer of the shows directed by him. What I can say that he is just an awesome director to make these class of shows. But of course, I am planning to do something in this segment in the near future but right now I am not concentrating on those.

TNI: What about the big fat break coming up for you i.e. the silver screen?
SAMADDAR: May be this year or in early next year.

TNI: So party time for your fans in the cards!
SAMADDAR: Time will say the answer. Right now all could say, it may not be categorized under Lampha Jhampa marka cinema neither it will of some serious stuff like the parallel cinema.

TNI: May be a Tarun Majumdar or a Tapan Sinha type of films then!
SAMADDAR: Hmm!!! In a sense you can call it. I won’t oppose. I often see both Bengali and Hindi movies. I like the movies directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Imtiaz Ali, Nagesh Kukkunoor, Farhan Akhtar etc. I feel Bhansali ji is the king of kings in emotional cinema right now. I have seen Ram Leela at least 5 times.

TNI: What about Hollywood? Don’t they have any attractive factor for you?
SAMADDAR: Yes of course. I love them throughout. However, the problem of Hollywood films is that if also I am inspired by their graphics I cannot apply it in Tollywood.

TNI: Would you like to tell us about some of the actors whom you admire most?
SAMADDAR: Among contemporary actors I like acting of Monu Mukhapadhyay, Paran Bandyopadhyay, Chitra Sen, Saswata Chattopadhyay, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Surabhi Ganguly, Moumita Gupta and the list will never end. I have learnt a lot of things particularly from the first three persons. I am confidently telling that my actors are my best teachers.

TNI: You seem to be inspired by Baba Lokenath, right?
SAMADDAR: Baba Lokenath is everything in my life. We are 6 in my family my parents, my elder sister, nephew and Baba Lokenath. We have his little mandir i.e. Baba’s Mandir in our house. Every day I try to talk with Baba. I feel that he guides me what to do and what not to do. Today what I am it is just because of his disguised blessings.

TNI: Till now you were telling about your positive experience in the industry, tell us about the other side if any?
SAMADDAR: Ronnie’s sad demise (actor Ronen Chakraborty alias Ronnie Chakraborty) made me alone in this industry. We were very close friends. We discussed everything, every matter whether it is personal or professional. If at all I direct a cinema in the future, that day I am definitely going to miss my actor cum friend Ronnie.

TNI: Do you have any contact with Ronnie’s family? How is his little child?
SAMADDAR: Yes I am in touch with Ronnie’s family members. They are trying very hard to overcome the situation. However, I understand this is very tough. I feel very sorry for his little son. He is just is too little to realize the loss. I pray to God to give them the power to overcome the situation.

TNI: Last question, the newcomers have a huge expectations from the directors like you. Any suggestion to them from you as a director?
SAMADDAR: I know that director like me has some responsibilities for the newcomers. Newcomers also should realize that without them the industry cannot run. There are characters developed, which demand new comer casting. I just want to tell them that they should brush up your talent in a regular way, so that when you will get the chance, there should be nobody, who raises fingers against them. Stay in the struggle and continue struggle, struggle and struggle. We are also gone through this process. I will definitely give chance to the newcomers in my future serials. There are many of them currently ruling the Bengali TV serial world, they were launched by me. They are Ayesha, Sharmistha, Rimjhim, Nibedita, Sujoy, Sourav etc. However, for the new comers they have to prove themselves.