Chandrabindoo Anindya makes a Shubho Muharat

anindya chatterjee, vocalist of the band chandrabindoo is now in front of the camera. he is acting in rituparno ghosh’s shubho muharat. anindya is paired with nandita das (mallika sen in the movie) who’s a budding reporter in the film. they start investigating the death of kakoli, a successful actress who’s also a drug addict. mallika is the only witness to kakoli’s death and takes the opportunity to dabble with some investigative journalism.with her is rangapishi, her fan and our domesticated miss marple (played by rakhi gulzar), who proves instrumental in solving the mystery. this is where subhankar (anindya) — the photojournalist who accompanies mallika, comes in. anindya, however, doesn’t think his silver screen acting debut is anything special. “i always like performance. whenever i’m on stage with my band, i’m performing,� he said, “and acting is just another variety of performance.� however, this is neither his maiden venture in front of the camera, nor with ghosh. he appeared in a small role in chandril bhattacharya’s diploma film for srfti, titled y2k, and had been an assistant director in ghosh’s last film titli. why did rituparno select anindya? “because his looks fit the character, a photojournalist, introvert and artless,� he said, “i’ve seen him both in television and on stage. he has confidence and knows the art of addressing the audience.� ghosh added, “i had faith and confidence in his qualities and so far he hasn’t failed me.� rakhee gulzar said, “i’ll be very happy if anindya can make a mark in bollywood as an actor-singer. there have been no successful singer-actor from kolkata after kishore kumar. palash, though bengali is not a kolkatan.� das feels that anindya, also has all the qualities of an actor. she hasn’t yet heard any of chandrabindoo’s songs, but has heard anindya singing on the sets. so, after palash sen of euphoria, he is the second vocalist from the band scenario, taking to the sliver screen. like palash did in filhaal, anindya might also be singing a rabindrasangeet — “jibon maraner simana chharae.� though anindya is reluctant, ghosh is keen on it. “the voice would match and especially when he can sing why shouldn’t i use the opportunity.� after shubho muharat what? “till date no plans to be a film-star,� said anindya, “i’ll sleep a lot after the shooting is over.� the hectic schedule is apparently draining him. “i still prefer singing. it’s a lot cooler.�