Is it a biopic? A documentary? A self-reflexive movie that draws attention to its methodology and artifice? All of the above, suggests the ...
Is it a biopic? A documentary? A self-reflexive movie that draws attention to its methodology and artifice? All of the above, suggests the trailer of Parambrata Chattopadhyay’s Abhijaan. The Bengali movie about Soumitra Chatterjee stars Soumitra Chatterjee as himself. Jisshu Sengupta plays Chatterjee’s younger self. Chattopadhyay is a director who is interviewing Chatterjee for a film.
Abhijaan pays tribute to a man who was much more than an actor, Chattopadhyay explained in a telephone interview. “It is absolutely impossible to encompass a life like that into a little over two hours,” he added. “His was a life lived for 85 years that included films, theatre, poetry. The conversation modality was the only way I could get the audience to spend time with the Soumitra Chatterjee of today. I was fortunate to have him there.”
Abhijaan was among Chatterjee’s final projects before his demise on November 15, 2020. The legendary actor had a lengthy association with Satyajit Ray, beginning with Apur Sansar in 1959. Chatterjee appeared in several other acclaimed movies, including Akash Kusum, Kshudhita Pashan, Atanka, Teen Bhuvaner Pare, Koni, Dekha and Belaseshe. Chatterjee’s refined performances were celebrated the world over, and his death was mourned widely.
Parambrata Chattopadhyay, who has balanced direction with acting assignments in Bengali and Hindi cinema, had known Chatterjee for years. Chattopadhyay was recruited for the project by the film’s producer, Navratan Jhawar,...
