I love watching horror films: Surangana Bandyopadhyay as Nikosh Chhaya premieres on Hoichoi

Q. How do you approach roles in general?

A. I have never learnt acting. I was a dancer initially. I was keen to be associated with any form of performing arts. I have started acting rather accidentally. But after a certain time, I started enjoying the process of acting. In that context, theatre helped me. I was very introverted and had very low self-confidence and low self esteem. Theatre helped me to get rid of it.

Personally, Riddhi (Riddhi Sen, actor and Surangana's boyfriend) helped me too. The method acting is a loose term because it has a vast sphere. In the Bengali film industry, we lack time and infrastructure to explore that so we have to switch on and off. Every actor's approach and process towards acting is distinct as each has a different psyche. Personally, I need a five-minute period to build concentration before a shot. Rest, I follow the director and script completely since I am not an institutionalised actor.

Surangana Bandyopadhyay | Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. What is the world of Parambrata Chattopadhyay, the director?

A. I have been fortunate to work under Param-da earlier and each time it's so inspiring to see him as an extremely calm director. He has a subtle balance between ease and seriousness. Though he is easy going, Param-da is strict in certain disciplines like he is not fond of too much noise on the set. He ensures actors' concentration is not compromised. He is very strict but approachable. Param-da is creatively as much clear as technically. He has dealt with each and every aspect of a film brilliantly which is very inspiring.

Q. Do you feel Parambrata's actor self makes him understand his cast better?

A. Yes, yes. A director needs to know all aspects of a film to some extent (laughs). Not just in acting, a director with prior experience of working in any department of a film helps. Though Param-da being an actor could have enacted any scene to make us understand, he refrains from doing it. Rather, he explains a scene with full clarity helping us to perform with our individualism.

(From L to R) Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Surangana Bandyopadhyay and Gaurav Chakrabarty | Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. Ballabhpurer Roopkotha, Parnashavarir Shaap and Nikosh Chhaya, the three works in the horror genre in as many years for you. How do you see this?

A. (Laughs). Yes, I was thinking of it actually during the campaign of this series. I have been receiving notifications of memories on Facebook about Ballabhpurer Roopkotha and Parnashavarir Shaap, which were released around this time in 2022 and 2023 respectively. All three works belong to the horror genre. But Ballabhpurer Roopkotha was a horror-comedy so my approach to the film was completely disparate. However, Parnashavarir Shaap and Nikosh Chhaya are out and out horror. In the case of serious horror, we need to remain vigilant about not turning it into funny unconsciously. Fortunately, the horror elements in these series are distinct from the concept of supernatural elements which are shown in foreign films. So it has been dealt with appropriately.

Q. Do you believe in supernatural elements?

A. I don't believe in supernatural elements as well as God but I have always loved watching horror films. I find it fascinating to see how horror elements, which I don't believe in, manage to terrify me. After watching The Conjuring or The Grudge, I wanted to become a horror element in a film. I am thankful to have got the opportunity to play a horror element.

Surangana Bandyopadhyay | Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. Did you develop interest in this subject after working on the series out of curiosity?

A. To be very honest, I haven't felt the interest. I may develop it at some point of time. I am open to know about the subject but currently I am not interested.

Q. How much did you depend on the text?

A. The script was the most important thing for me. I think it's the same for any other actor, who serves as a medium to communicate the script to the audience. I just followed the script and pulled it off. I wanted Mitul to be a bit more calm, composed and mature this time considering the experiences she had to go through in the previous installment but not by bringing a drastic change in her character.

(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)