On International Chess Day, Chiranjeet Chakrabarti & Rituparna Sengupta discuss everything chess, which is the focus of their next film - ‘The game of chess can lead you towards the light’

On International Chess Day, Chiranjeet Chakrabarti & Rituparna Sengupta discuss everything chess, which is the focus of their next film
Chiranjeet Chakrabarti is reuniting with his former co-star Rituparna Sengupta after 23 years, that too in a film about chess — a game with which they both share a complicated relationship. “Chess was never meant for me. I was into the game of chase and not chess!” Chiranjeet laughs.
The actors star in Pathikrit Basu’s film, Dabaru, inspired by one of the youngest Grand Masters of India, Surya Sekhar Ganguly. Rituparna, shares her co-star’s sentiments about chess. “I never got the hang of chess but I admire it,” she says. On International Chess Day, the actors talked to CT about their film and their stance on chess.
My all-time favourite film on chess is Shatranj Ke Khiladi. How Satyajit Ray used chess and blended it with politics, against a socio-economic background is a treat to watch – Rituparna Sengupta, who plays a pivotal role in the film

‘I think I’ll be a pro at chess after this film!’ says Rituparna

She added, "This is my first sports film and I am playing a chess player in it. I am learning the game now to be more accomplished and savvy during the shots, so it looks natural on the screen"
The game of chess needs patience, perseverance and dedication. And I feel we need all these key qualities to succeed in life. One has to be at it in chess and this is what it taught me
– Rituparna Sengupta
I was never really into chess, although I admired the game a lot. It’s a brain game and needs a lot of patience. I would see my cousins playing it but I never got the hang of it. My son & husband are good at chess. My son learnt the nuances of chess from Dibyendu Barua & my husband collects out-of-the-box chess boards
I will be working with Dipak da (Chiranjeet) after two decades. I last worked with him in one of his directorials. So, looking forward to it.
There is so much to learn from a senior actor like him
– Rituparna Sengupta

My favourite chess film is the 1977 movie Shatranj Ke Khiladi. And there is no doubt about it. The way Satyajit Ray has portrayed the obsession with the game of chess through a story is quite marvellous
– Chiranjeet Chakrabarti
I am sure after this film releases many people will be more interested in chess, how people became crazy about hockey after Chak De! India, came out. I’m sure Dabaru will have a similar impact on its viewers upon its release
Playing chess is a brain exercise. Suppose a guy meets with an accident and loses his memory. Chess can revitalise his brain cells. It helps you see the light of the day. Aloy phire e niea jai daba…The film depicts some of these aspects
In Dabaru, I play a chess coach and the character has a lot of shades. I am a coach and mentor to Saura, who’s a genius. My character will teach him the technicalities of chess and sharpen his mind so he can make better moves on the chess board