Exclusive: Transitioning From Serious To Comedy Is A Game-Changer For Tiki-Taka’s Parambrata Chattopadhyay
Movies
Parambrata Chattopadhyay opens his heart and pours his thoughts about his career, Tiki-Taka, and more in this conversation!
Tiki-Taka is ZEE5’s recent release and it has already garnered appreciation and top IMDB ratings. A comedy of errors, the film is based on Kolkata derby and the city’s obsession with football. Starring Ritabhari Chakraborty, Emona Enabulu, Saswata Chatterjee, and actor/director Parambrata Chattopadhyay, the film is filled with moments of laughter and fun. Here is what the actor had to say about the film and himself.
Watch the trailer of the film here.
1. How happy are you for Tiki-Taka’s success?
Parambrata: Very very happy! It is because when we see your own project being appreciated, it is a wonderful feeling. As a filmmaker and an actor, when a film works, it gives us immense joy. We work hard for the entertainment of people. Apart from that, Tiki-Taka is a film in which I have performed something entirely new. People know me for serious acts and this was a welcome deviation from the structured image. It is a very light-hearted film and will make everyone laugh. It is not the kind of cinema I am usually known for. As an artist, variety is what we look for and I am glad that I got to perform as Raju in Tiki-Taka.
2. Have you always wanted to be an actor?
Parambrata: Acting is my lifeline. If I were a fish, acting would be water to me. As for filmmaking and directing, it is something that I wanted to do since I was young. I have studied filmmaking and done a course on it. But acting is something that is like an outlet, my oxygen.
3. You have acted in huge blockbuster films as well as creative cinema. Which ones do you prefer?
Parambrata: I really think that I have always been a part of the other kind. Dance and music drama has never been my type. I have most often starred in dark and serious films only. And neither do I get approached for mainstream cinema. I don’t find it interesting. I have been in sensible films only and the problem is that, being associated with it makes people think that I am not humorous or that I don’t like music.
4. Is there any one character that has stayed with you?
Parambrata: I have done about 50 Bengali films and 6-7 Hindi films. It would be difficult to choose one of them. But there is a Bengali film that has stayed with me and it is Kaalbela; it was a big hit.
5. Was Tiki-Taka your story?
Parambrata: No, Tiki-Taka’s writers wrote the entire screenplay and then came to me with the script asking if I would act in and direct it. I made a few changes in it but I loved the story and decided to take the project. I’m happy that ZEE5 has taken it up and now, instead of a small Bengali audience, the pan Indian audience would be able to view it.
6. What was it like directing as well as acting in the film Tiki-Taka?
Parambrata: Well, it was a pretty daunting task. Because I made only minor changes to the script and the screenplay as a director. And as an actor, I had to find myself in the shoes of Raju in between takes. This was most confusing for Emona as he was surprised to see me direct his shots and then sit beside him as Raju to enact my own! As for playing Raju, I have directed films before but I have always played characters that have been close to my original self. And Raju was a completely new puzzle for the 4-year-old in me to solve.
7. What was it like working with the co-actors?
Parambrata: Emona is a model and that is what brought him to India. So it was quite unnerving for him to act. But the other co-actors are some of my most favorite ones in the industry including Saswata Chatterjee and Ritabhari Chakraborty. Ritabhari is very sweet to work with and she is a newbie. But the others were a laughter riot, as they are a tremendous bunch of actors and they know what they are doing. I was delighted to direct them!
8. Have you ever thought of becoming a footballer?
Parambrata: I have always been a fan of sports. I played cricket and football while growing up. I enjoyed playing football and thought of it as an artistic sport but never thought of taking it up as a full-fledged career.
Rapid Fire Round
1. Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Parambrata: Morning person
2. If you weren’t an actor you would be?
Parambrata: A Musician
3. Your daak naam is?
Parambrata: Baban
4. If you were an ice cream you would be?
Parambrata: Butterscotch
5. Are you a mountain person or a beach person?
Parambrata: Mountain
6. Would you rather drink tea or coffee?
Parambrata: Coffee
7. Would you rather read a book or watch a movie?
Parambrata: Watch a movie.
8. Favorite holiday destination?
Parambrata: Europe
9. If you were a Bengali food dish, you would be?
Parambrata: I would be a Hilsa fish cooked in a nice mustard gravy
10. Favorite adventure?
Parambrata: Driving into foreign lands, miles, and miles into unknown territory.
If it was a delight reading this interview, then definitely go and watch Tiki-Taka now streaming on ZEE5!
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