Shopping-mall versions of Swapan Saha movies make money today

Bratya Basu has very little time for himself. He is busy rehearsing for a new production, Soteroi July, at night. He is staging his directorial project, Boma, the next evening. And the morning after, he is seen acting in a show of Mullyo — the play that brings him back on stage as an actor after several years. “But I never fail to make time for my constituency.I am probably the only MLA in West Bengal who visits each and every ward,” said Bratya. Unfazed by the recent controversy pertaining to his associate Premangshu Roy, the thespian spoke about his friendships in the theatre circuit, his perception about Tollywood and his new projects. Read on…
Do you think that the recent controversy pertaining to your close aide Premangshu Roy’s molestation allegation has affected your image?
I was not even in the country. Later, I heard that Premangshu has taken my name to threaten students. He claims he scolded those children taking my name not as a politically influential person, but as a theatre director. Even if I accept that he misused my name, there is nothing I can do about it. There are more than 200 young directors who are close to me. I can’t take responsibility of someone else’s misbehaviour.
Do you have any real friends in the industry?
In the theatre world, I have many friends. I don’t have many friends there in the film circuit. But again, Supriya Dutta, Kanchan Mullick, Biplab Bandyopadhyay also belong to the film industry and they are very close friends of mine. Bengali theatre world is not as glamorous as Tollywood and hence it is less superficial. Also, in hindsight, not everyone can be your friend, right?
You are a playwright, director, actor and politician. You have many competitors in every field you work in. Does this affect you?
See, this is my reality. In each of these fields, I have competitors. Jotokhhon protijogi ba protidwondi bhabchi, totokkhon thik ache. Jokhoni shotru bole bhabte shuru korchi tokhoni mushkil. It doesn’t irritate me anymore because it is a fact that I have to deal with.
People often say that you are particularly helpful to those who are close to you…
I wouldn’t like to drop names, but I often recommend theatre actors I like to my film director friends. I don’t see it as nepotism. I try to support the medium I work in and that is Bengali theatre. In fact, people who allege nepotism usually are the product of nepotism and they don’t want to share their cake.
In the last a few years, you have undertaken many projects to make Bengali theatre a profitable business. From the renovation of Mohit Moitra Mancha to televising theatres...
I want to make Bengali theatre a money-making business. If a film production house makes six films in a year, it doesn’t matter if those films have any positive effect on the quality of Bengali films. However, it has a far-reaching impact because those films end up involving many people who earn their bread and butter from the film industry. Similarly, it is immaterial if the projects I have undertaken have any positive impact on theatre as a whole. But, with these projects, I have involved many people from the Bengali theatre circuit. This, in itself, has a positive effect. Such projects can at least offer some job security and that reflects in their work.
But such initiatives invite a lot of criticism as well...
It is in our mindset. Bengali theatre is still struggling and it is going to remain a place where there will be only struggles and no recognition. It can be a place where you can have work satisfaction but nothing more than that. Also, if you are less successful, you are loved by almost all. But if you are successful and your production runs for long, everyone will see you as a threat.

You have worked in theatre and in cinema. Which medium, according to you, is more rewarding for an artiste?
I don’t think Bengali films are rewarding. First, the big production houses bully other filmmakers. Their advertisements, billboards and influence over media overwhelm and intimidate smaller filmmakers. And secondly, the films that are shopping-mall versions of Swapan Saha movies make money in Bengali film industry. Bengali theatre, on the other hand, is qualitatively superior. It still has some intelligent and intellectual people. I can’t remember watching any good Bengali film apart from those I have acted in (laughs).
Does the quantity of your work affect its quality?
In 2015-16, I produced four plays in one year: Boma, Mumbai Nights, Meghe Dhaka Tara and Awddyo Sesh Rajani. All four are hits and well-appreciated. But can I keep on repeating the trend? No, I can’t. On the other hand, if I produce one play in two years, no one can guarantee that it would be a brilliant piece of work. I have to ensure that I am well prepared and my practise is perfect.
Tell us about your new projects.
I am working on the biopic of Jibonanondo Das called Jhora Palok. It is a film by Sayantan Mukhopadhyay and I am playing the role of the poet. Jaya Ahsan is there in the film. There is another film by Anumita Dasgupta called Missed Call. I am also writing a pulp fiction in the form of kabyonatyo where the characters speak in the language of poetry. From Swapan Kumar to Quentin Tarantino — pulp fictions influence me deeply.