We must reclaim Bengali cinema’s identity, say Jaya Ahsan and Chandan Roy Sanyal

Known for his impactful films that blend social realities and personal stories with a touch of intrigue, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury is back in Kolkata helming his first Bengali project in a decade. The Pink director, aka Tony, has roped in Jaya Ahsan and Chandan Roy Sanyal for Dear Ma, that talks about a mother-child relationship. As can be expected, there is likely to be a twist as well.On a pleasant summer morning, we caught up with the cast over a leisurely brunch, talking about all that brings them together: The script, the director, their shared love for stories told with integrity and passion. Edited excerpts.
This is my passion project
Aniruddha: Though I’ve worked in Hindi films, my heart lies in Bangla. Emotionally, I’m deeply attached to this language, and the story demands a distinct regional touch. The story revolves around a mother, and the emotional outburst is particularly poignant in one’s own language. Art needs patrons, it is not a mere commodity. As artists, we tend to make mistakes and learn from them. My only aim is to make a good film, instead of focusing on success.
where’s the audience?
Jaya: The audience has not changed. We underestimate them and get sceptical while making a film, wondering if they will accept it or not. I’ve done plenty of projects, and sometimes some of them were not meant to be appreciated by the audience. But i was proved wrong. If you do your work with honesty, the audience will appreciate it and connect with it. You see, we work with emotions. Language is not the barrier. Audiences love watching authenticity; that is the connection which audiences applaud.
Chandan: What happens with Bengali films is that they imbibe other cultures, other forms of filmmaking, and lose their own identity. One should be confident of their culture and storytelling and should say their story with utmost integrity, sincerity, and honesty. What you love to watch is not what you have to make. We need to nurture our own culture.
An actor’s challenge
Chandan: Naseerudddin Shah had once told me how a good actor is the one who knows what not to do. Usko pataa hai kya nahin karna hai!
Jaya: Trends have changed in recent times. The more you keep it natural, the more it is accepted by the audience, especially among the younger lot.
Audiences want honesty

Stories told with honesty impress the audiences, says Aniruddha, whose last project was Kadak Singh starring Pankaj Tripathi and Jaya Ahsan. And that means convincing producers to invest not just in the film but also the intent and the vision of he filmmaker, he says.
Director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury says, "I believe less is more. The effort to stay invisible takes immense power. Everything at the end is bojhapora, and finding that resonance." To this, Chandan Roy Sanyal addded, "Tony da wants us to be absolutely natural; he does not want us to act. It isn’t easy, takes years of practice."
Actress Jaya Ahsan said, "My character in this film is different from what I have portrayed so far. A film is like a journey that starts with script itself. You cannot fool young people with acting that lacks nuance. The audiences can easily see through your ‘act’."