I am trying to expand myself: Anirban Bhattacharya on donning creative director's hat again in Talmar Romeo Juliet

Q. Some reports online are referring to you as Bengali cine industry's Vishal Bhardwaj. How would you react to it?

A. It's okay. People do try to draw a parallel. But there is a lot of difference between Vishal Bhardwaj and myself. Vishal has written and directed a number of films based on Shakespearean plays. I have so far written and directed only one, that is Mandaar. But I have acted and collaborated as a creative director in Athhoi and Talmar Romeo Juliet. Moreover, Vishal Bhardwaj is a great artiste so I completely reject such a comparison. Having said that, I am aware that such comparisons will be drawn. I have to accept these lightly.

Q. How much are you enjoying this new role of a creative director?

A. I think that's my job. An artiste always seeks to grow for the rest of his/her career. It's important to evolve with every passing year and circumvent stagnation. I started off my career as an actor but ventured into direction, creative direction as well as music purely for the sake of my growth as an artiste. I am trying to expand myself. Adding to that, every responsibility demands sufficient time and attention. None of these responsibilities are part-time jobs.

Anirban Bhattacharya in Arpan Garai's Talmar Romeo Juliet | Photo courtesy: Hoichoi

Q. What is your interpretation of William Shakespeare's world of tragic romance?

A. Shakespearean plays reflect a world of its own in terms of time, locale and civilisation. It is completely different from the ones shown in adaptations. In Talmar Romeo and Juliet, we have shown the world of Talma, which is an outskirt of North Bengal. In Mandaar, it was Gailpur. Our challenge is to make the locales in the adaptations believable.

Q. What are the signatures of Shakespeare in his world of romance?

A. There are a lot of signatures, mostly in visuals. But Talmar Romeo Juliet is completely contrasting with Mandaar or Athhoi in terms of adaptation of Shakespeare's plays. I would refer to Talmar Romeo Juliet as Shakespaeare in popular form or popular culture comprising meme, reel, GenZ, bike. It's a complete pop culture.

Q. How much workshop plays a role in projects like Talmar Romeo Juliet?

A. When I came into films, I had to go through workshops under the guidance of Aparna Sen (veteran filmmaker-actress). I prefer to pass on the benefits of those workshops to my next generation actors.

Q. Do you feel the audience might consider you as the de facto director of a project which you are leading in the capacity of a creative director?

A. Yes, I have felt it but can't help it. It is true that it might be established that I am the actual director but that's not the case. I work as a creative collaborator. In Talmar Romeo Juliet, I have taken a number of shot decisions or asked for a shot even after Arpan (Arpan Garai, director) was satisfied but that's completely as a senior.

Q. Have you thought of any action to dilute the assumption if at all any?

A. Yes, I have thought about it. I will quit collaborating as a creative director after one more project.

Q. How challenging is it to balance acting and direction?

A. I plan things out. When I direct, I focus on it entirely. I focus on homework when I juggle between the two roles, acting and creative direction. The challenge and coercion multiply for me when I act as well as play the role of a creative direction in a project.

Anirban Bhattacharya had earlier directed Hoichoi web series Mandaar, which was based on William Shakespeare's Macbeth and collaborated as creative director in Athhoi which was an adaptation of Othello | Photo courtesy: IBNS File

Q. How do you place music in your life?

A. Music is very important for me. I have always loved music which has steadily entered into my career. I have formed a band, spearheaded the music album of Romeo Juliet as well as working as lyricist consistently. So music has become a part of my career now.