Whenever someone mentions Chandan Roy Sanyal, the character of Mikhail of Kaminey comes in our mind for sure. His character of Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi of Manto has been critically appraised a lot. There is a different kind of madness in each of his roles. Whether its Kaminey, Manto, Harry met Sejal or others, his roles make him stand out always.
When we met him face to face, he is just an average looking, next door guy. His recent venture Hawa Badle Hassu in which he is playing the role of an auto rickshaw driver who is the biggest victim of unadulterated air pollution every day for 12 hours at his workplace, is streaming on SonyLiv. We bring to you a special Expresso gup-shup with Chandan about this web series and much more.
Expresso: What made you say ‘yes’ to Hawa Badle Hassu?
Chandan Roy Sanyal: Hawa Badle Hassu is a different kind of story. It’s an environmental sci-fi thriller. The tale revolves around Environment and I think any actor can’t refuse to work on this universal subject. We all know that global warming is knocking at the door, we have to get attention what’s going on. The whole country is ruin in this worst situation. We are overusing what nature has provided us and in this time this sort of story came to me which is all about the environment and its protection and told through a beautiful human story. So when you set that in that kind of genre-bender which is related to sci-fi thriller you certainly have a novel in your hand. When Producer and co-writer Protique Mojoomder narrated the whole story I undoubtedly caught this up. I am thrilled to be a part of this series. After meeting the directors I was convinced and blocked my dates for the shoot.
Expresso: Do you think this web series generating awareness among people?
Chandan Roy Sanyal: This series is very entertaining and well researched. People are watching all kind of stories. Important message regarding our environment is conveyed very strongly in a seamless manner in this story. I am sure we have done a great job. This series will make people far more conscious and it will make a difference.
Expresso: In this web series there is a dialogue Nacheez mei hawa sa hu, samzo agar dawa sa hu, mukhoto me chupa sa hu, kuch badal ne me laga sa hu.. what Hassu change and why?
Chandan Roy Sanyal: Hassu has changed the mindset of his everyday passengers who come into the rickshaw. Hassu not only offers his passengers interesting insights about their personal issues but at the same time points them in a positive direction, gifts a more wiser and motivated set of individuals to the environment, after every ride. He is on a crusade against air pollution. He interacting with them every day and trying to tell them to break thing about the environment and what’s wrong going to the environment.
Expresso: How you relate yourself with Hassu?
Chandan Roy Sanyal: Hassu is full of life, charm and ready wit. He and his Auto are anything but ordinary. Like Hassu I am also simple by nature. I am aware of daily life issues and surroundings, environmental problems. I also tell people to plant trees and water them. Yes, that’s how I relate Hassu.
Expresso: In this web series we saw you to drive a rickshaw. Do have any special preparation for that?
Chandan Roy Sanyal: Yes, I pretty much learnt how to ride a rickshaw. I try to bring out the actual character which within life. I practised it happens to be in UP. So, I picked up an accent. I met a few Rickshaw driver who is quite aware of social issues and makes my own notes. I watched their lifestyle, body language to catch up with the role and make it a real-life structure.
Expresso: What’s your next project? Will we see you in Bengali Web series?
Chandan Roy Sanyal: Yes, I love to work in Bengali and in web space, some sort of work is in the pipeline but nothing finalised yet and I didn’t freeze the dates. I have done a film ‘Jabariya Jodi’ with Sidhartha Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra which will be released in August. It’s a comedy film. And we had Ajay from National School of Drama, he taught us about the accent (UP, Bihar) used in the film. He is basically our dialect coach. Besides that, I did a Bengali Film in the direction of Soukarya Ghoshal with Koyel Mallick which will be released soon.
Expresso: You have done a lot of Bengali film. Any particular director you want to work with?
Chandan Roy Sanyal: I really wanted to work with Mr Maniratnam, he is one of my favourites. And from this industry, I would love to work with Aparna Sen, Shiboprosad-Nandita, so on.
Expresso: Please tell us about directing Azaad? Which intrigued you more acting or directing?
Chandan Roy Sanyal: I think it’s a very difficult question. I really enjoy acting but I also very curious about direction. I want to direct a film to see what it feel like. And most of my idols like Guru Dutt, Raj Kapoor they do acting and directing too. So, I want to understand how to direct a film. I want to tell today’s generation about our independence through a story and aware, encourage them through it. That’s why I made this film. Actually, I always love to write, so I have written a short film. I took it to the producer Shariq Patel, then SonyLiv came on board and they produced it. I acted also in that film, its lot of fun actually.
Expresso: How did your character play in ‘Kaminey’ affects your career?
Chandan Roy Sanyal: It affects a lot in my career. I started my journey with that film and this character. I never thought of becoming an actor. I am doing well in theatre, I live in England, I am very happy. But I never have the ambition to be a part of a movie at all. Then ‘Kaminey’ came, I did it and it was a huge success. Then my film journey began.
Expresso: How was the working experience with Soumitra Chatterjee?
Chandan Roy Sanyal: I have working with him in ‘Deep-Six’. He is a legend, I really admire him as an actor. He is the best leading actor in the world. I am a huge fan of him and learnt a lot from him. To be sharing space with him is a dream come true.
Expresso: Describe yourself In a hashtag?
Chandan Roy Sanyal: #madness
