MUSIC DIRECTOR DEBARPITO COMES UP WITH A BANG: SILIGURI 007 BRINGS AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE MAN

DEBARPITO SAHA

Upcoming Bengali Film music director Debarpito Saha comes up with a heart thumping number of "Aamader Ovijaan" in the soon to be released film Bhalovasha Off Route e". The song has already crossing the charts in the Tollywood film music circles. Here Debarpito speaks his heart out about his venturing into the Music industry of Tollywood and his upcoming projects.

SILIGURI 007: You are one of the few Bengali music directors who is coming up in the Tollywood circuit with a bang. How do you describe your journey till date?

DS: The journey from being the eldest son of a family of businessmen to becoming a music director has been in itself pretty tough yet interesting. Struggling from the streets of north Kolkata trying to make a mark in this city, shifting to Mumbai in the later years and then gradually making my debut in Tollywood, the journey has been musical in it’s own way. I wouldn’t actually comment on the fact whether I am coming with a bang or not, but, what I know deep down inside me is the fact that music is the only thing I can do the best, the only thing that defines me, and the only thing I want to do for the rest of my life.

SILIGURI 007: Though the promos of Valobasha Off route e is still in its infancy stage however, while in its music release the response was immense especially in "Amader obhijaan". Tell us something about those moments.

DS:  “Amader Obhijaan” is an out-an-out heavy rock song, and it did come as a surprise that it gained the maximum popularity. Of course I need to convey a special note of thanks to Kausiq Chakraborty, for giving life to this song with his dynamic vocals. It has been a great experience working with him. Even the song “Aai Brishti Jhhepe” which is again a classical fusion track, gained a lot of popularity, and the credit goes to my singers Debapriya, Ujjaini, and Raju Das for their amazing vocals. Honestly speaking all the six songs in the movie, the others being “Mon Re Amar”, “Chain Mohe Aaye Na”, “Toke Bhalobeshe” and “Bhalobasha Off Route-e”, all the songs are special for me in someway or the other. On the whole, the music of “Bhalobasha Off Route-e” will always be special for me.

SILIGURI 007: Bengal is the heart of Film music which is being approved by generations after generations, where do the bengali music directors stand themselves in Bollywood right now? 

DS: Bengal has indefinitely been the Heart of film music. Speaking of the present day scenario, I think the legacy still continues. Music directors like Pritam & Shantanu Moitra are counted amongst the most respectable music directors of today. The richness in the music they deliver even today proves the fact that Bengalis are still one of the best music creators in the world.

SILIGURI 007: We want to know more about yourself and your music?

DS: As I said, I come from a business oriented family in Kolkata, I guess I am the only black sheep, who went out of the orthodox track and tried doing something entirely different in life. Although music has been an integral part of our family, but no one actually thought of taking it professionally. It’s just me who proved to be an exception somehow. I did my schooling from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and gradually pursued Hons. in English from Bidhannagar Govt. College in Kolkata. Music is something that I have inherited from my parents. Since childhood, I have had the chance to grow in an atmosphere, with a lot of music around. I have received formal vocal training in Hindustani classical music and I also hold the Masters degree in western classical music. From studio sessions to live music, I have done it all. I have been a part of a heavy-metal band “Rikterscale” and gradually a part of a jazz-fusion band “Urban Reflektions” back in kolkata as a keyboardist during my college days. It’s post my graduation that I shifted my base to Mumbai and have been working there as a music producer for movies and serials since then. Bhalobasha Off Route-e is my debut Bengali movie, which will always be one of my most memorable projects.

SILIGURI 007: Bengali rock band has revolutionised Bengali music is being said by some music analysts. Do you put your opinions in the same way or want to differ. If so how?

DS: I completely agree to the fact that Rock music has definitely revolutionized the Bengali music scenario. Honestly, since the era of Mohiner Ghoraguli, to Krosswindz, Parashpathar, Cactus, Lakkhichhara, Fossils, Prithibi and many more respectable bands, Bengali music has gained it’s worldwide popularity and it still continues to be. Given the fact that my song “Amader Obhijaan” is a proper film song, yet being a rock number, has gained maximum popularity amongst listeners. In fact, it came as a surprise to me that a few upcoming bands in Kolkata are already performing this song live as a cover number. It’s a matter of great honor for me as I myself have been a part of Bengali rock band music at some point of time.

SILIGURI 007: Over the years the music of North Bengal was very little highlighted in Bengali films. Are you having any plans of exposing the tunes of North Bengal in a populist way so that it becomes a newer dimension into the Bengali music industry?

DS: Honestly, for me music has no language or any geographical barrier. Music is a matter of the heart and I prefer looking at it this way. From Baul to Rock, Classical to Jazz, I have experimented with all kinds of music. North Bengal music, though less highlighted, is very rich in it’s own way. I would definitely be honored if I were able to highlight the music of North Bengal through my work. Though I am from proper Kolkata, somehow I connect a lot to the hills, and deep down inside me, I still feel, the music of the hills speak a lot about life. So given a chance, I would definitely want to incorporate North Bengal music influences into my songs.

SILIGURI 007:  Tell us something about your future projects?

DS: Bhalobasha Off Route-e has been my debut venture as a music director. It has truly been an honor to work with Arunava. He is a Director with a wide range of vision. And we did gel a lot during the whole process of making Bhalobasha Off Route-e. He is somewhat pretty fond of me as well. Guess that’s the reason, he has already roped me in for his next venture “Robi Roxxx” which I will start working on from January next year. Presently I have already started working on my next project “Doshomi”, a Suman Maitra film, which is scheduled for release during the upcoming Bengali New Year. I also have a few more projects lined up from January, 2012, which are presently at the basic stage of preparation.

FIRST DAY FIRST SHOW Report of RA.ONE by SILIGURI 007

HOUR BY HOUR REVIEW

10:15 AM: Diwali morning crowd at Siliguri to watch Ra. One of Shah Rukh Khan. Watch out for a SILIGURI 007 review of Ra.one

10:23 AM: Sold out shows at INOX, City Centre, Siliguri, INOX, Orbit, Siliguri and Cinemax, Siliguri. The queue of Angry crowds is growing.

10:25 AM: The RA.One fever is infectious. Crackers outside the hall. Raised voices at ticketing counter.

10:27 AM: The hall so jampacked, no one would believe this is a morning show! SRK must be smiling!

10:35 AM: The hall is flooded with kids, the movie sure has created a buzz amongst the younger ones!

10:41 AM: Eagerly awaiting the 3D experience. And here goes! Bridging the gap between The real and virtual. And entry of priyanka chopra and Lucifer!

10:42 AM: Return of Khalnayak Sanjay Dutt in a virtual avatar.

10:45 AM: 10 minutes into the show can truly see why Resul Pookuttty deserved an Oscar. Amazing special effects and sounds.

10:50 AM: Shah Rukh's character Shekhar Subramanium is a lovable geek. But Sharukh's Tamil accent needs more work.

10:52 AM: How is it possible that a villain never loses a battle? Well, answers ahead.

10:58 AM: Villains are kickass! A dad tries hard to impress his MTV-generation kid. Story sounds familiar?

11:03 AM: Random access version one. And Raavan it is. The bad one from the mythological lores. Jeevan is reborn as G.One.

11:07 AM: Hertz Amplifying Resonance Transmitter. And the anti-HART gun at Level 3. The HART of a complicated game explained.

11:11 AM: No one is as gullible as Subramanyam! Really. But SRK brings out the hurt father well in a street mugging scene.

11:15 AM: That sinister moment... When you know something is not right with what you have created. Senior Bachchan voiceover at RA.One launch.

11:16 AM: 10 villains in one... Ra.one. Raavan.

11:21 AM: A Rs 150 crore budget justified. Superb special effects. A close look at the G.One suit. At INOX, City Centre, Siliguri, this film is a somewhat acceptable Diwali gift for kids.

11:24 AM: The RA.One game intensifies. The theatre is one gaming zone. One of the best 3D films India has seen. Can't say same for acting.

11:30 AM: A crucial moment in the film. For all INOX and CINEMAX for fans this will be heart wrenching.

11:42 AM: A turning point for gaming in cinema. What happens when a game goes wrong? This is how Frankenstein's creator must have felt.

11:44 AM: The search continues for Lucifer. A thrilling chase and the wait for Arjun Rampal. RA.One is who he wants to be.

11:49 AM: A storm of wolf whistles and clapping breaks out with the entry of G.One, gravity defying car stunts and SRK with a six-pack suit!

11:55 AM: At interval, RA.one is best described as one big gripping video game. The action sequences are stunning.

11:57 AM: This is a 3D film in the true sense. But absolutely no plot line. Kareena's role is limited.

12:12 PM: And soon after the interval, enters Rajinikanth!! Robot! Crowd goes berserk! :)

12:23 PM: Shah Rukh Khan as G.One is more at ease than Shekhar Subramanium. The 'stand by me' track is remixed wonderfully with Dildaara.

12:35 PM: The return of RA.One in second half bears strong resemblance to the Terminator series.

12:37 PM: Repeated anti-smoking messages throughout film. SRK are you leading by example?

12:38 PM: Arjun Rampal makes a stunning Raavan. Anti-god, anti-good and toned.

12:42 PM: Ah. Mystery of chammak challo explained. Wanna be my chammak challo?

12:45 PM: A truly superb train sequence. Kids don't try this at home. Tad too long?

12:49 PM: The train stunt is very Enthiran, but better executed.

12:53 PM: Massive destruction of Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai is a scene the film can be truly proud of. Emotional overload soon after kills the effect.

1:07 PM: Level 3 and audiences transported to a dark abyss where evil rules.

1:07 PM: Matters of the HART and a level never played before. Mutant RA.One.

1:09 PM: Game over guys. Good shall prevail. Happy Diwali everyone.

GENERAL REVIEW OF RA.ONE

Eros International and Red Chillies Entertainment’s Ra.One is the story of Shekhar Subramanium (Shah Rukh Khan), who lives in London and who is so clumsy and uncool that his young, school-going son, Pratik (master Armaan Varma), does not consider him as his hero or idol. In fact, he doesn’t even respect his father like a son should.

Shekhar works in a gaming company and he alongwith his colleagues makes a video game, Ra.One, in which the villain, Ra.One, is almost invincible. He makes the villain so powerful because his son tells him that heroes are boring and villains are cool. As luck would have it, Pratik, who plays games under the name of Lucifer, defeats Ra.One upto a level. Ra.One then loses his head and escapes from the computer in search of Lucifer. Soon, he kills Shekhar when he lies to him that his name is Lucifer. Shekhar has taken takes on the blame in a bid to save his son’s life. But Ra.One, who has now taken the identity of Shekhar’s own colleague Akashi (Tom Wu), does not give up his search for Lucifer alias Pratik.

Meanwhile, Pratik goes to his dad’s office and between Jenny (Shahana Goswami) and Pratik, the two decide that G.One or, in other words, the Good One from the game would have to be released from the game to combat Ra.One.

Pratik and his widowed mother, Sonia (Kareena Kapoor), leave London to return to India and are given a hot chase by Ra.One. After a lot of misses, Ra.One finally confronts the mother-son duo but G.One emerges in the form of Shekhar to save them.

Now, G.One, Sonia and Pratik come to India after G.One has almost eliminated Ra.One. However, Ra.One is re-constructed one day and lands in India. What happens next? Does he find Lucifer? Does G.One protect Sonia and Pratik alias Lucifer? If so, how?

RA.ONE: SCRIPT ANALYSIS

The story, penned by Anubhav Sinha, has been liberally borrowed from several Hollywood films but it has been suitably Indianised. The Indianised screenplay, written by Kanika Dhillon, David Benullo, Mushtaq Shiekh and Anubhav Sinha, is fast-paced for a good part, but the first 20 minutes, and some portions in the second half are a bit boring. Perhaps, the most heart-touching Indian sentiment in the drama is when G.One comes to the rescue of Sonia and Pratik for the first time, appearing like Shekhar. There are other emotional moments like when Sonia takes a promise from G.One that he would save Pratik’s life, come what may, and when G.One and Pratik join forces to try and combat Ra.One in the end. Also, how Pratik is made to realise that ultimately, it is the hero who is good, and it is the villain who is evil and that good is what one should pursue, is subtle yet effective. But the emotions are understated and although they touch the heart-strings, they do not draw tears from the audience’s eyes. Had the sentiments been more pronounced, it would’ve been better as the viewers would be moved to tears.

However, where there are less-than-required emotions, there are some sequences which are absolutely brilliant and constitute major highlights of the film. Among such highlight sequences worthy of applause in the cinemas are the one in which Ra.One chases Sonia and Pratik; the one in which G.One appears all of a sudden between Ra.One and the car in which Sonia and Pratik are seated (in this particular scene, there will be deafening applause in the cinemas); the action sequences between G.One and Ra.One; the taxi-stand sequence at Bombay airport; the Rajnikanth sequence; the sequence showing the re-construction of Ra.One first and G.One later; the train sequence, etc. Here, it must be added that although the writers and the director have taken care to explain the technicalities of the video game in a simplified manner, yet, the drama will be more understood by the city and multiplex audience than the audience in the smaller centres and those frequenting single-screen cinemas. Again, since the base of the story is the Ra.One video game, it will not be fully understood by the computer-illiterate older generation. On the other hand, kids and the youth will love the drama for the very reasons the older generation wouldn’t – it has a lot of technical jargon, the drama is more subtle and less over-dramatic; and the experience is absolutely novel for the Indian audiences.

Comedy is enjoyable and entertaining but the film could’ve done with more of it, especially in the pre-interval portion. The visual effects are excellent and so are the 3D effects (for those watching in 3D). Another plus point of the drama is that it is not stretched too much. The climax, in which the young son of Shekhar collaborates with G.One, to fight the evil Ra.One is exciting in a different way – more than a nail-biting and edge-of-the-seat climax (which the chase by Ra.One in the first half is), it has heart-warming sentiments of father and son.

RA.ONE: STAR PERFORMANCES:

Shah Rukh Khan does a splendid job and is the life of the film. He is good as Shekhar and fantastic as G.One. The look of G.One is wonderful. Kareena Kapoor is also lovely. She looks gorgeous and acts with effortless ease. She is brilliant in emotional scenes. Both, Shah Rukh and Kareena’s dances are remarkable. Arjun Rampal makes an effective villain and looks very handsome and formidable. Master Armaan Varma makes a sensational debut. He looks charming and acts with such aplomb that it is difficult to believe, this is his first film. Tom Wu is menacing enough. Dalip Tahhil is stylish as ever. Shahana Goswami is as natural and realistic as can be. Satish Shah and Suresh Menon evoke laughter. Rajnikanth appears in a single scene in special appearance and makes his presence felt with mersmerising effect. Sanjay Dutt and Priyanka Chopra don’t add much in special appearances. Amitabh Bachchan’s voice over in a portion of the film heightens the impact.

RA.ONE REVIEW: DIRECTION & MUSIC
 

Anubhav Sinha’s direction is good. Credit goes to him for giving the Indian audience a supremely novel experience. He has excelled in the visual effects department as well as in extracting good work from the actors. Music (Vishal-Shekhar) could’ve been better. While the Chammak Challo song is extraordinary, the others could’ve and should’ve been better. The Dildaara song is appealing. The other songs range from fair to good. Song picturisations (Ganesh Hegde and Feroz Khan) are very eye-filling. The picturisations of Chammak Challo and Criminal songs (both by Ganesh Hegde) are extraordinary. Background score by Vishal-Shekhar is wonderful. Nicola Pecorini and V. Manikandan’s camerawork is marvellous. The film looks just too beautiful. Visual effects are outstanding. Action scenes, choreographed by Parvez Khan, Spiro Razatos and Firoz Boss, are mind-boggling. Sets (Sabu Cyril and Marcus Wookey) are lovely. The conversion from 2D to 3D (by Prime Focus) is remarkable. Production values are just too grand.

RA.ONE: KOMAL NAHATA'S REVIEW:

On the whole, Ra.One has the novelty factor and visual effects as its greatest plus points. It may be lagging in the other departments but these two – novelty and visual effects – will definitely see the high-budgeted film make profits for all concerned. Looking to the almost unprecedented hype and huge craze for the film and its grand opening, it will sail past its safety mark in the first week itself (after considering all the other sources of revenue too) and then go on to yield profits.

Exclusive DON 2 trailer only on SILIGURI 007

It's a bit perplexing to see just how young, fit and fresh Shah Rukh Khan looks in the promos of his films. We saw the glaring gulf between the way he looked in the Ra One promo earlier this year and the way he looked on TV with Karan Johar or supporting his IPL team, and now we see him again, looking lethal in the first trailer for Don 2. Maybe those who do makeup and CGI for Rajnikanth are working their magic in SRK's films, or maybe King Khan only saves up his shininess for when it counts the most.

Either way, the Don 2 trailer looks pretty darned sharp. We see a speedboat slice through verdant green waters as Khan, in over-baritoned voiceover, tells us that his enemies thought he was dead and now he's back and ready for more. We catch peeks of Khan in tattooed longhaired Bangkokjunkie/underpaid chinesevan waiter mode, both of which make sense as a disguise while the wounded tiger licks his wounds. A word about the voice, though: in a sequel to a film where he stepped into Amitabh Bachchan's shoes -- which seemed a couple sizes too big for him at the time -- this voiceover seems to be yet another tribute from Khan, trying to sound a bit like that man who keeps proving he'll never be too old.

And then, just as he uses up all the gravel in his throat mouthing the 'remember who I am, I'm the Don' lines from that classic song used smartly here as dialogue, he smiles and says 'boom', a car explodes on cue, and then it's Shah Rukh all the way.

The rest is standard blockbuster fare, explosions and slow motion turns to the camera, maximised for dramatic effect. But there's absolutely no mistaking the fact that this film looks very, very slick indeed. Clearly Farhan Akhtar's out to prove a point, and so far, he looks like he knows what he's doing. Wish they didn't throw in the weird Khan smirk at the very end, though.

What do you think of the Don 2 trailer? Do you think SRK will give us the year's biggest blockbuster with Don 2 or Ra.One? Do you think director Farhan Akhtar, who has given us unforgettable films like Dil Chahata Hai and Lakshya, and Don will be fourth time lucky?

GADDAFI KILLED VIDEOS

SILIGURI 007 reports from REUTERS: Muammar Gaddafi was killed after being captured by the Libyan fighters he once scorned as "rats," cornered and shot in the head after they overrun his last bastion of resistance in his hometown of Sirte.

His body, bloodied, half naked, Gaddafi's trademark long curls hanging limp around a rarely seen bald spot, was delivered, a prize of war, to Misrata, the city west of Sirte whose siege and months of suffering at the hands of Gaddafi's artillery and sniper made it a symbol of the rebel cause.

A quick and secret burial was due later on Friday.

"It's time to start a new Libya, a united Libya," Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril declared. "One people, one future."

A formal announcement of Libya's liberation, which will set the clock ticking on a timeline to elections, would be made on Saturday, Libyan officials said.

Two months after Western-backed rebels ended 42 years of eccentric one-man rule by capturing the capital Tripoli, his death ended a nervous hiatus for the new interim government.

U.S. President Barack Obama, in a veiled dig at the Syrian and other leaders resisting the democrats of the Arab Spring, declared "the rule of an iron fist inevitably comes to an end."

But Gaddafi's death is a setback to campaigners seeking the full truth about the 1988 bombing over Lockerbie in Scotland of Pan Am flight 103 which claimed 270 lives, mainly Americans, and for which one of Gaddafi's agents was convicted.

Jim Swire, the father of one of the Lockerbie victims, said: "There is much still to be resolved and we may now have lost an opportunity for getting nearer the truth."

"That's for Lockerbie," said the front-page headline in The Sun, Britain's best selling daily newspaper.

Confusion over Gaddafi's death was a reminder of the challenge for Libyans to now summon order out of the armed chaos that is the legacy of eight months of grinding conflict.

The killing or capture of senior aides, including possibly two sons, as an armored convoy braved NATO air strikes in a desperate bid to break out of Sirte, may ease fears of diehards regrouping elsewhere - though cellphone video, apparently of Gaddafi alive and being beaten, may inflame his sympathizers.

As news of Gaddafi's demise spread, people poured into the streets in jubilation. Joyous fighters fired their weapons in the air, shouting "Allahu Akbar."

Others wrote graffiti on the parapets of the highway outside Sirte. One said simply: "Gaddafi was captured here."

Jibril, reading what he said was a post-mortem report, said Gaddafi was hauled unresisting from a "sewage pipe." He was then shot in the arm and put in a truck which was "caught in crossfire" as it ferried the 69-year-old to hospital.

"He was hit by a bullet in the head," Jibril said, adding it was unclear which side had fired the fatal shot.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who spearheaded a Franco-British move in NATO to back the revolt against Gaddafi hailed a turn of events that few had expected so soon, since there had been little evidence that Gaddafi himself was in Sirte.

But he also alluded to fears that, without the glue of hatred for Gaddafi, the new Libya could descend, like Saddam Hussein's Iraq, into bloody factionalism: "The liberation of Sirte must signal ... the start of a process ... to establish a democratic system in which all groups in the country have their place and where fundamental freedoms are guaranteed," he said.

NATO, keen to portray the victory as that of the Libyans themselves, said it would wind down its military mission.

"KEEP HIM ALIVE"

The circumstances of the death of Gaddafi, who had vowed to go down fighting, remained obscure. Jerky video showed a man with Gaddafi's distinctive long, curly hair, bloodied and staggering under blows from armed men, apparently NTC fighters.

The brief footage showed him being hauled by his hair from the hood of a truck. To the shouts of someone saying "Keep him alive," he disappears from view and gunshots are heard.

"While he was being taken away, they beat him and then they killed him," a senior source in the NTC told Reuters before Jibril spoke of crossfire. "He might have been resisting."

Officials said Gaddafi's son Mo'tassim, also seen bleeding but alive in a video, had also died. Another son, heir-apparent Saif al-Islam, was variously reported to be surrounded, captured or killed as conflicting accounts of the day's events crackled around networks of NTC fighters rejoicing in Sirte.

In Benghazi, where in February Gaddafi disdainfully said he would hunt down the "rats" who had emulated their Tunisian and Egyptian neighbors by rising up against an unloved autocrat, thousands took to the streets, loosing off weapons and dancing under the old tricolor flag revived by Gaddafi's opponents.

Mansour el Ferjani, 49, a Benghazi bank clerk and father of five posed his 9-year-old son for a photograph holding a Kalashnikov rifle: "Don't think I will give this gun to my son," he said. "Now that the war is over we must give up our weapons and the children must go to school.

Accounts were hazy of his final hours, as befitted a man who retained an aura of mystery in the desert down the decades as he first tormented "colonial" Western powers by sponsoring militant bomb-makers from the IRA to the PLO and then embraced the likes of Tony Blair and Silvio Berlusconi in return for investment in Libya's extensive oil and gas fields.

There was no shortage of fighters willing to claim they saw Gaddafi, who long vowed to die in battle, cringing below ground, like Saddam eight years ago, and pleading for his life.

One description, pieced together from various sources, suggests Gaddafi tried to break out of his final redoubt at dawn in a convoy of vehicles after weeks of dogged resistance.

However, he was stopped by a French air strike and captured, possibly some hours later, after gun battles with NTC fighters who found him hiding in a drainage culvert.

NATO said its warplanes fired on a convoy near Sirte about 8:30 a.m. (2:30 a.m. ET), striking two military vehicles in the group, but could not confirm that Gaddafi had been a passenger. France later said its jets had halted the convoy.

(Additional reporting by Taha Zargoun in Sirte, Barry Malone, Yasmine Saleh and Jessica Donati in Tripoli, Brian Rohan in Benghazi, Jon Hemming in Tunis, Edmund Blair and Yasmine Saleh in Cairo, Samia Nakhoul in Amman, Christian Lowe in Algiers, Tim Castle, Peter Apps and William Maclean in London, David Brunnstrom in Brussels, Alister Bull, Jeff Mason and Laura MacInnis in Washington and Vicky Buffery in Paris; Writing by Alastair Macdonald; Editing by Giles Elgood). (Reuters)

Budding Siliguri Filmmaker ANKKIT exclusively interviewed by SILIGURI 007

ANKKIT SENGUPTA

Ankkit Sengupta is a young budding filmmaker from Siliguri. He was one of the house hold names among the street magicians in the audio visual circuit few years ago and has performed many shows on screen starting from CCN Binodan, High TV (ground TV channels) to Aakash Bangla. He now dons the cap as an Assistant Director in Tollywood and also is being involved in many AV ventures of Tollywood. Here is some of the excerpts of his feelings about his career and his future prospects.

SILIGURI 007: You have been a street magician in your childhood, it has raised much fame to your credit in Bengal, then what made to shift from playing a magician to a filmmaker?

AS: I believe there is a lot of magic in making a film. Every good film maker is a magician. So magic has been there with me always. I will try to add magic to the films i make. The bottom line is "entertainment" . When I performed magic, i entertained my spectators. When i make films, i keep the same word in mind. It is true that performing magic for Aakaash Bangla has given me fame. Lot of events, shows, episodes for High TV followed after that. Obviously it feels good. Every performer wants to be popular. So did I. But i feel film making is my calling. If i fail at it, i wouldn't mind. I cannot be lucky every time but at least i can try what my heart tells me to. All i need now is good wishes !! Lets hope for the best.

SILIGURI 007: Tell us something about your magical days from Don Bosco to Aakash Bangla.

AS: All i miss about Don Bosco is its auditorium. Every time i was there on the stage, i felt like wow. I had a theater group named "Chewing gum Boyz" and we used to put up comedy skits on every occasion. I used to write and direct slapstick comedy skits. Teachers encouraged me a lot. When i was in class seven i had made up my mind to be a part of the entertainment industry for ever. 

There was an online audition where they were looking for a fresh face to represent Bengal street magic after P.C Sorcar (pouroosh) on Aakash Bangla. I had applied and to cut it short, i anchored 75 successful episodes for the channel thereafter.

SILIGURI 007: You are also one of those who left Siliguri for betterment. What do you feel about your decision?

AS: I left Siliguri since Kolkata offered me a better exposure. I cannot deny the fact that CCN Binodan (ground channel in siliguri) offered me shows in the very begining of my career. I am ever grateful to them. I have great love for siliguri but shifting to Kolkata is a fair decession on my side. I am working on a few Kolkata based film projects recently so it would be quite impossible for me to work had I not shifted to Kolkata.

SILIGURI 007: How is Tollywood's behaviour towards Siliguri's Film directors?

AS: Its completely fine. What matters is your thoughts. Where you belong to hardly matters. If my thoughts and films are saleable, the producers will never ask me where is my home town. I feel Tollywood loves Siliguri and that is the reason why shooting units pay a visit often to Siliguri. Recently we had gone to a place named Bodagunj, not very far from Siliguri, and the whole shooting unit had asked me to look for a farmhouse there where they would settle for ever and never return to Kolkata.

SILIGURI 007: Is there any possibilities of making any venture based on Siliguri?

AS: Yes there is. Siliguri is a beautiful place. If not completely based on Siliguri, "Siliguri" has often been mentioned and been the location in Tollywood stories.

SILIGURI 007: Since, we can guess you are one of the most youngest directors in tollywood, how do you feel being infront of the camera and behind it?

AS: I enjoy being in front of the camera. Performing magic infront of the camera is not an easy job. Its hard to misdirect the camera. The camera records every move you do and makes it difficult to dodge the same. You have to be a star while you are performing and the job is to entertain the audience by any means. You can talk of Pamela Anderson or you can even talk about the size of your dick as long as you connect to your audience. I personally do it and i love every frame i face the camera. When you walk down the streets people recognize you. They ask for your autographs. I will always cherish it.

Being behind the camera makes me feel like God. Makes me feel like a creator. It gives me a feeling that the mise-en-scene is the result of my creativity. Even if a character sneezes or farts in a shot it is my direction, my creation. One will never find that scene, that character else where in the world. I love film making. Though I have just started learning the basics and working as assistants, i strongly believe that i can create. I am ever  thankful to a few people, to my father Uday Sengupta, to Supriyo Ghosh (Founder of Choto Parda), Diptajit Deb(film maker), Arunava Khasnobis (film maker) and to my KFTI faculties for guiding me and being there always !!

SILIGURI 007: Most Tollywood directors often view Siliguri as a transit camp for film production, What is your opinion about such viewpoints?

AS: Siliguri indeed has great potential. There are entrepreneurs in Siliguri who are willing to invest in films. Once they identify their target audience and get good returns from their investments they will definitely invest. There are loop holes and barriers though. The size of the market is a huge hindrance. As far as i know films are being made in Siliguri. Abhijit da (RJ Abhijit, High fm) has just completed a full length feature. Someone has to start. I strongly believe films can be made any where. During the times of Neo realism, directors shot  films in their natural surroundings.The boy next door played the lead, and the streets nearby were the sets for the films. It just needs time . Siliguri will definately catch up. I personally know a few production houses based in Siliguri who are working with Sandip Ray, Anjan Dutta and others. Good things take some time to happen. We hope that Lights Camera and Action will soon echo in the heart of Siliguri !!

Exclusive Interview of Siliguri music-man Ashutosh in SILIGURI 007

ASHUTOSH SINGH

SILIGURI 007: Since you are from Siliguri and had a very smooth career in academics, what prompted you to shift to Mumbai?

Ashutosh: I had my own business establishment at Regulated Market. Though I was associated with Don Bosco School through Mr. John Paul, its music-teacher. I am also an ex-student. At home and amongst friends, I used to play the guitar, write and compose my own songs and always felt I could do it at the highest levels. This led me to scour on the internet and had a chance meeting with an executive of Vinod Pande.

He was making RED SWASTIK starring Sherlyn Chopra then. They wanted a promo song. I wrote, composed, arranged, sang and recorded one on my home pc and emailed it. The song was selected and I decided to shift to Mumbai after this chance break.

SILIGURI 007: Was that shift to Mumbai fruitful enough and how?

Ashutosh: Initially it was tough since I knew no one in Mumbai and had no idea on the levels of performance and competition in the industry. However, things worked out for me and I started getting projects. WOMAN FROM THE EAST was my first film as solo music director. Then came DESWA and GOOD BUDDY GADBADI after that.

The film industry is considered the most competitive sector. Apart from people from all over India, it is quite common to see people from Russia / CIS countries, Europe and Americas trying to get a footing.  Though a lot of work is happening, good projects are few and rare to come by. Every team is closely knit and generally do not entertain freshers.

It’s tough to get a film to work in. It’s tough for a film to complete. It’s even tougher to get the film sold. It’s a further uphill task to get the film a proper release with promotions. Even after all that, if the film does not do well, or does not create an impact, it does not help ones career. So years of work just might not be as fruitful as expected.  

I have been lucky on that account. After analyzing the industry, I was determined only to do quality films. Initial days were struggle but one project brought another and so on. I am one of the few Music Directors who, while waiting for his first release is in the process of completing his third film. And I have already worked with the topmost singers of the industry. Generally, people wait for releases to happen before more work offers arrive. With my films slated for release now, I think the shift has been very fruitful. I think I am the first Music Director from North Bengal to make a dent in the Hindi Film industry. With the sort of reviews and recommendations I receive for my work, I think it was a good decision to take a shot here.

SILIGURI 007: You are one of the few a strong believers of the audio-visual media development in Siliguri, so please clarify your viewpoint.

Ashutosh: Entertainment industry is getting localized all over the country. There is content being developed in all regional dialects and languages by local artists. Several super stars have been created all over north India. One of the strongest examples is Sri Dineshlal Yadav Nirahua who was a simpleton village folk singer. His peppy earthy singing made him so popular that he is currently the superstar of Bhojpuri cinema which is released in 7 states of India apart from countries like Fiji, Surinam, Mauritius, Singapore, Holland etc. 

North Bengal is blessed in several ways. We are culturally and ethnically very rich. Several communities are in strong numbers and all of them have their own cultural expressions. Our people have strong knack for arts. We are blessed with natural locations. All what we need to do is to start creating quality content in audio-visual medium and make a self-sustaining marketing regional network. One can follow the Punjab or the Pakistan model. There is a throbbing local theatre and film industry which makes video films and survives on localized distribution of VCD. Several of the films – music videos have become hugely popular and created opportunities for thousands of people all over North India.

North Bengal has been laggard in embracing new economy. There is no IT sector. Our tourism industry is in bad shape. We don’t have good academic institutions, no proper place for higher and technical studies. Our health sector is primitive. Our roads and civic infrastructure would make Jurassic parks proud. All what is there worth talking is initiated by its local entrepreneurs. Even the business, trade and industry sentiment is low. That is because working there is so difficult. There is a dire need to start new economy projects there. In the new age, Intellectual Property is a huge capital. Its returns are much more than other traditional modes of investment. With an entertainment industry, North Bengal can develop a huge economic sector of its own providing jobs and prosperity to thousands. Apart from that it will encourage talents in several disciplines to elevate their artistic expressions. 

SILIGURI 007: Since you were a teacher by profession in your earlier profession, how do you rate the enthusiasm of the younger lot from Siliguri especially in this performing arts field?

Ashutosh: I was not a teacher though I was in regular interaction with youth. Our children are as enthusiastic as any other place. And they are immensely talented and can match the best anywhere. Look at the Table-tennis sector. With minimal infrastructure, they have managed to make Siliguri a powerhouse in TT. It’s just a matter of organizing and we can take off in several ways and directions.

In performing arts, we need to brush up our theatre scenario. It has to be made more common man centric. And our theatre movement should break the language barriers, attracting audiences from everywhere. That is where the talent pool for the audio-visual medium will be prepared. Much of Mumbai film industry people received their training and experience in the theatre groups of Delhi colleges and universities. 

The youth here need platform. They have it all in them.

SILIGURI 007: There were many attempts from Siliguri by many directors to grow from this region, however, they almost failed in their attempt (till date). What may be the reasons behind this failure according to you?

Ashutosh: It’s not a total failure. The cinema movement in North Bengal has had its moments. When the first Rajbongshi film was made, it was immensely successful. That encouraged a spate of projects to earn a quick buck. But the sort of quality upgrading required to retain the audience was absent. The initial euphoria weaned away. We could not establish even one Production House Banner worth its name in the enthusiasm.

I think the reason was short term vision. One can’t make shabby copies of Hindi films from the 1960-1970’s and create a film industry there. The content has to be from here, from the land itself. Unless local aspirations, struggles are visible, it will not succeed in the long run.

Today the people have the option to watch 100 world class channels at home. So our work should have a basic minimum acceptable technical standard too.

Also a proper distribution network has not been developed. We don’t have established procedure to Monetize the projects as yet.

In meetings with FM channels there, I learnt that they were getting their content consultation from Delhi. Now how can some city slicker sitting in Delhi understand the likes and dislikes of a man on the street in Siliguri? So the FM movement is still struggling to find a ground. Unless we upgrade and package our local content and create a locally sustainable market, we have an uphill task.

SILIGURI 007: What are the things lacking infrastructurally to develop North Bengal as a second hub of film production from Bengal.

Ashutosh: We are ages away. Film making is a tradition. Imagine a group of youngsters who must have assisted the likes of Satyajit Ray, learnt their film making there. All of them are huge names in cinema now like Gautam Ghosh, Anjan Dutt, Aparna Sen etc. are some of them.  

Who will our kids learn from? But if we start properly with a view to improve all the time, we can collaborate and hire talents from established places till our own guys gain experience and ability. In this age of digital cinema, it is cost effective too.

Film industry needs technicians, writers, artists, musicians, producers, distributors etc. And it also needs equipment. Though some work is being done, the need of the hour is an all-round upgrading. Our guys need to work on productions and gain experience.

Local Business houses have to come in as full time Film Production Houses. They will give this business a proper shape.

SILIGURI 007:  Most Tollywood directors often view Siliguri as a transit camp for film production, What is your opinion about such viewpoints?

Ashutosh: I am against forcing any visiting team to relent to any conditions. However, if any team comes to Kolkata for shooting, they are forced to hire locals. And teams from Mumbai, though hire and pay the locals, prefer to work with their own guys. They make the Kolkata locals just idle around.

There are lots of Bengali films and serials being shot in North Bengal. Our aspirants should get to be on the sets as assistants. But we MUST develop a separate work culture here. Our guys should add to the project and any complaint, should be dealt with strongly. Just because a team from outside is shooting in my area “I should be in it”, is ghetto mentality. We should work our way and deserve to be in it. Or we should develop our own projects, bigger and grander than theirs.

To sum it up, local entrepreneurs have to enter the industry. People with business and financial experience have to collaborate with artists and creative people and create a production and marketing infrastructure. We can’t wait for some one from outside to come to our place to make a change. Development has to come from within.

Exclusive Interview of Arunava Khasnobis in SILIGURI 007

 ARUNAVA KHASNOBIS

SILIGURI 007: Whats the basic idea of making the film Valobasha Off route e?

AK: Chandiphanta a village a little far from Kolkata is being plagued by two Mastaans, Jagan and Fagan, essayed by Rudranil and Abhiraj. "Interestingly, for them, the playing ground is the only place to settle their scores. And they do so by killing their opponent on the field, while engaging him in a football match.

Eventually, the village's former pradhan gets his two nephews, Siddhartha and Sandip, played by Rahul and Saswata, to teach the duo a lesson. Tanusree and Parijat play their love interest,

The film takes off after three years and then goes in the flashback mode to explain what had happened three years back.

SILIGURI 007: A man from Siliguri (which is far off from film making) into mainstream Tollywood! Obviously a dream come true. What is the zeal behind such thoughts when youngsters like you from siliguri are dreaming of corporate jobs, professional jobs etc.?

AK: Having a interest in films from a very early age, I was attached with a group theater from siliguri named "Uttal", but as the social structure says a guy from a middle class family cannot dream, so I also got into the field of corporate...
used to work as a manger.. but my inner self was not at all happy with the life of a commom man. The fight within was going on in a full force decided to go to kolkata without knowing anybody. Everybody says me "Crazy"...but I knew what I was doing... The result is "Bhalobasa Off Route E".

SILIGURI 007: Tell something about your childhood in Siliguri.

AK: I have studied in siliguri boys high school, Having a background of a cultural family, got that upbringing from the child hood time. I was into creative writing from a very early age and my father Sri Asit khasnobis is a known artist from Siliguri.

SILIGURI 007: Tell something about the film related to casting, music, direction, banner etc.

AK: The film is produced by Debasish Saha under the banner of Chitra Creations. The music has been scored by Debarpito...and this is my debut film as a Director..Screenplay - Padmanava Dasgupta. Cinematography - Parmatma Yadav. Cast - Rahul, Sashwato Chattopadhya, Rudranil Ghosh, Kanchan Mallik, Aviraaj, Kharaj Mukherjee, Tanushree Chakraborty, Sudarshana Sengupta (Parijaat).

SILIGURI 007: What are your future plans?

AK: Next film is already on move... I cant tell you the name right now. This film is going to be something very different from "Bhalobasa Off Route E"
This is more of a urban film, and with a deep social message and the film is all about the younger generation.

SILIGURI 007: Since you are staying awhile in Tollowood. You have a big idea about film making. What is your speculation about the already sickned rajbonshi film industry of North Bengal?

AK: Actually the rajbonshi industry had a gr8 prospect earlier.. for a local language people pull..but after some not so well made films, the expectations were not fulfilled as the budget is a big constrain as here they have a smaller market.

SILIGURI 007: Give a message to the people of North Bengal and Siliguri about your film and an invitation.

AK: As a man from Siliguri and North Bengal I faced a lot of trouble in kolkata. I just want to say to the people.. I overcomed it and made a place where people from Kolkata have a little better place for us.. I will say to you all please come and watch my film.. and make it a success.Your blessings is needed. And in My next film I have a plan to cast at least one cast from north bengal.