Ed is brilliant: Samrat

Remember the Australian film that was shot in Kolkata with Radha Mitchell? Well, the film is finally ready and all set to have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Come September and The Waiting City that���s been directed by Claire McCarthy will be part of the special presentation screenings at the TIFF. Dev Benegal���s Road, Movie will also have its world premiere in the same section.
Says actor Samrat Chakrabarti, who plays a pivotal role in McCarthy���s film, ���The Toronto International Film Festival is a very prestigious one.It���s extremely exciting for me to be a part of a project of not only this calibre but also one that was completely shot in Kolkata.��� Though Samrat is still unsure about attending the Festival, he is eagerly looking forward to watching the film on the big screen. ���I haven���t watched the film as yet. Right now, two other films of mine ��� Karma Calling and Bombay Summer ��� are also doing the rounds of festivals,��� he adds.
Meanwhile, Samrat has attended an intensive two-week long workshop at the Sundance Labs where he worked with actors like Ed Harris and Hollywood directors like Catherine Hardwicke. ���We���d rehearse with our directors in the day and then do the script readings at night. The next day, we would shoot. I���ve worked with a few directors, including Ritesh Batra and Sally El Hosaini. The authorities chose eight to 10 writer/directors from a pool of over hundred applicants. Ed was an advisor and so, I���d lunch everyday with him,��� Samrat says.
And how did The Beautiful Mind actor come across over lunch? ���Ed is brilliant and a very down-to-earth guy. He gives straight-forward direction. We���d usually discuss Appaloosa ��� the film that he had directed and starred in. We didn���t discuss Indian cinema though. Good or bad, the subject never came up,��� Samrat signs off.