Birthday boy Parambrata on 5 of his favourite films close to his heart

Parambrata Chattopadhyay who has had an enviable run with some class performances in films like ‘Apur Panchali’, ‘Cinemawala’ to name a few picks five films he has acted in that are closest to his heart. From ‘Hemlock Society’ to ‘Shonar Pahar’, these films will surely keep you glued to the screen.

“Some films become touchstones that people will remember you by. ‘Samantaral’ is that kind of a film. People will remember me for doing this film.”

Sujan is a dreamer, who is misunderstood and thought to be insane by his family. When his nephew befriends him, uncomfortable family secrets tumble out.

“Hemlock Society was the first time I got to explore my flamboyant side. It was there in me always, but not many people knew about that before Hemlock.”

Hemlock Society tells the unique story of a man who runs a workshop where lessons are given on how to commit suicide successfully. The school has on its roll professors who demonstrate fail-safe methods for committing suicide. The film takes a hard look at death and how life triumphs over death.

“I came to terms with that chip with this film that unless a film carries its seriousness on its sleeve, people don’t take it seriously.”

Raj and Jeet, have grown up together during school days, moving apart as life changed its course. Years later, the two accidentally meet. Jeet is the successful corporate guy with a trophy wife and big car, Raj is a carefree soul, still finding his foothold as a struggling rockstar. One is stifled by all the success, the other doesn’t even know what is success. What happens when their lives are swapped?

“It’s possible that this character appealed to me because of certain personal issues – my mother was seriously ill at that time. At that time I also became aware of the injustices around us from close quarters.”

Hercules is a light-hearted swipe at the harsh realities of modern-day life in Kolkata. It has all the characters — the simpleton, who is too used to abuse to be ashamed of his weaknesses, the para goon, who can go to any length to maintain his ‘image’, the girl-next-door, who always has cupid following her with arrows on the ready, and the saviour, who truly knows what to do when circumstances scream, ‘Action!’ But how can we forget the constant source of stress, the kingpin who makes goons dance to his tune? Yes, he is in the film too.

“I made this one with a different kind of love and care because I was telling the story of my mother. And with the belief in a certain kind of life, living for certain things, certain values.”

Shonar Pahar is about Upama, who is in her 70s, and doesn't share a healthy bond with her only son Soumya. Soumya's childhood friend Rajdeep along with his seven-year-old son Bittu happens to visit Upama. As days pass by, Upama and Bittu get very close to each other and further, the plot explores the bond between children and the elder ones whom they are close to. The film also highlights the complexities that are often seen in families due to the generation gap.