Celebs on balancing work with poll campaigns

Debasree Roy���������s Maa Sarada act is on hold, thanks to the campaign trail. How are celebs doing the balancing act?
Poll dance has already begun in Bengal and celebs related to Kolkata���������s film and television industry have already joined the fray. As of now, Debasree Roy, Bratya Basu, Anup Ghosal and Chiranjeet are contesting as Trinamool candidates in the upcoming Assembly polls, starting April 18.But, how are our celebs going to balance their poll campaigns with their professional commitments? Debasree Roy, who is contesting from the Raidighi seat, has been approached to play Maa Sarada in a play on Swami Vivekananda. She is in the script reading stage now and it���������s only after the polls that she will take to rehearsing for it.
Yes, I will be doing the play. But, that is scheduled after the polls. I only have two more days of shooting (March 20 and March 27) left for ���������Life in Park Street��������� . On March 20, I have a shoot with Soumitra Chatterjee. Two days back, I finished shooting for a scene where I am singing an item number in ���������10th July��������� . I have also recorded the song myself. The other films that I���������ll be shooting are Dulal Dey���������s comedy, Somnath Sen���������s next and Ratul Ganguly���������s comedy. But, all that will be after May once the polls are over,��������� Debasree says in between dubbing for Somnath Sen���������s ���������Bhalo Meye Mondo Meye��������� on Tuesday.
Last Friday, Bratya Basu had the premiere show of his stage adaptation of Byomkesh Bakshi���������s Arthamonorthom. Just days after the premiere, Bratya announced his candidature from Dum Dum. With his commitments towards stage, serials and movies, how is Bratya going to do justice to his electoral deeds? Says Bratya, ���������True, I���������ve just launched a new play. I needed to be there for the premiere show. Subsequently, the play will run but I wouldn���������t be present at the shows. My inspiration, in this case, is our leader Mamata Banerjee. She is on the one hand the Railways Minister, the supremo of the party as well as the person ushering in the movement for change in West Bengal.���������
For Chiranjeet, his professional commitment of movies are almost over now. ���������I���������ve finished shooting for Arindam Dey���������s ���������Urochoti Super��������� and have also wrapped up the work for Ratul Ganguly���������s ���������10th July.��������� I only have to attend the finals of ���������Takkar��������� (the reality show that I am judging) on March 20. That���������s just for a day. I am supposed to play a scientist in Atanu Ghosh���������s ���������Abby Sen Er Ajob Duniya���������. But, it will take a while before that film starts. So, there will be no clash between my professional and poll commitments. The Anjan Dutt film that I might be doing will only begin after he is through with his Byomkesh film. That should be in September ��������� well after the polls are over,��������� says Chiranjeet, who is contesting from Barasat. ���������Like all Bengalis, I too have indulged in political debates. But, I have not yet got a grip of the exact process of what goes on in a political party. Right now, I am at a stage when I���������ve just got a role. I���������ve an idea of how the film will shape up to be. It���������s only once I memorize the lines that I am able to get under the skin of the character. I am confident of playing it well. As for my poll campaign, no celebrity from Tollywood will refuse if I ask them to campaign for me. While campaigning, I want to reach out to the grassroot level and make them feel that I am their representative . I want to work for Tollywood and do something for our technicians. May be, organize for free ambulances or distribute medicines to the artistes in the studio,��������� Chiranjeet adds.
Says Debjani Ghosal, daughter of Anup Ghosal, ���������My father will be contesting from Uttarpara. He has always liked to help people. Of course, the polls will be his primary focus in the subsequent months. But then, he is also very committed to his passion. He has three publications and I���������ve often seen him write till 3.30 in the morning. He also has a PhD in Nazrulgeeti. He does his riyaaz every night. I am sure he can balance his professional and poll commitments. Baba is a little choosy but, even then, he does at least seven to eight programmes in a month. In November, Baba returned from the US after a twomonth long tour. I suppose, the number of programmes will be cut short because the campaign is his priority now. But, the passion for music and writing will not wane.���������
As things stand now, celebs seem to be confident about doing the balancing act. Professional assignments might take a backseat now but the poll dance sure will not rob them of their passion for their art.