I Consciously Stayed Away from Mainstream Films: Dhritiman

RBN Web Desk: Veteran actor Dhritiman Chatterjee has said that he was never interested in the mainstream films that were made in the sixties and seventies. He was rather more interested to watch how top directors worked, than taking up acting as a career, Dhritiman said.

Since his debut as the main protagonist in Satyajit Ray’s 1970 film Pratidwandi, Dhritiman went on to work with several top directors including Mrinal Sen, Rituparno Ghosh, Aparna Sen, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and others

Speaking to the media recently about his career in acting, the Agantuk actor said, he consciously stayed away from working in films more frequently. He was deeply involved with the film society movement while studying economics at Presidency College and came in contact with leading directors like Ray, Mrinal Sen, and Shyam Benegal. When Ray offered him the lead in Pratidwandi, Dhritiman wanted to observe his style of working, and was not bothered to become a full-time actor or star. The same happened when he was offered Padatik by Mrinal Sen.

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The 73-year old actor said, more importantly, he had no faith in the mainstream films produced back then. The roles that came his way were typical and had limited scope to prove his merit. He would have felt uncomfortable doing those type of roles, and did not want to be typecast like others actors, Dhritiman said.

That aside, Dhritiman had a successful career in advertising which was his main profession, and worked in films only when he managed time. He never wanted to make films his bread and butter.

The actor divides his time between Kolkata and Goa these days.

Image: ebela.in