‘Mahanayak’ clippings unveiled, director says untold story of a ‘reel life’ matinee idol

Art house feature film director Birsa Dasgupta has made the serial which he describes as the untold story of a remarkable life beneath the glare of arc light but not inspired or based on the real life story of the late matinee idol Uttam Kumar.

“My lead character in Mahanayak is also a superstar who faces trials and tribulations in life, goes through ups and downs but no it does not bear resemblances with any matinee idol we know about, If anyone finds that, it is coincidental,” Birsha says at the preview event of the serial at Oberoi Grand last Friday evening.

Birsha says a six-member team, headed by contemporary ‘Meghe Dhaka Tara’ director Kamaleswar Mukherjee researched the Bengali film history since the 50s to impart a classic look to the serial and its contents.

Asked what was his brief to ‘Mahanayak’ portrayer Prosenjit Chatterjee, Birsa says, “He is such an actor who never needs any briefing. He understood the subject and the personality. Remember he is appearing on small screen and only Mahanayak can be the perfect vehicle for that.”

“This character of Arun is tailor-made for Bumbada. The canvas, the grandeur and everything,” he said.

Open Tee Bioscope director and leading musician-actor Anindya Chatterjee, present on the occasion, said: “All of us are captivated by the golden era and the actors representing that era. 

Beyond that I won’t say anything. Waiting to see the magic unfold before us.”

Prosenjit said when insisted, “Yes my look has references of both Uttam Uncle and Baba (Biswajit Chatterjee) and in fact the superstars straddling that era.”

Both ‘Moner Manush’ actor Paoli, who will not say if her character Sucharita had similarities with Suchitra Sen or other leading ladies of that era, and Tanushree also gave enigmatic smiles when asked details about their characters.

Paoli, draped in a white resplendent saree and 60s hairstyle, smiled when told about her look similarities with a reigning queen of Bengali cinema who had died one year back and delivered all the hits with the true matinee idol and said “Thank you.”

Several Tollywood actors including Saheb Bhattacharya, Priyanka Sarkar, Kanchan Mallick, script-writer-actor Padmanabha Dasgupta besides prominent industry members were present at the star-studded evening where yesteryear hits of the ‘all time Jodi were played on the screen with contemporary touch.

Mahanayak, produced by Shri Venkatesh Films, will be aired on Star Jalsha from June 27 evening.