Exclusive: Jisshu Sengupta on working with Vidya Balan in Shakuntala Devi

Prominent Bengali actor Jisshu Sengupta, who has impressed the audience with his commendable performance in multiple films, is back once again with Shakuntala Devi. The film featuring Vidya Balan and directed by Anu Menon has hit the internet on Friday. In an exclusive conversation with ETV Bharat Sitara, Jishu opened up about his life during the lockdown, his experience of sharing screen space with Vidya Balan and the upcoming projects in Bollywood.

Kolkata: Bengali actor Jisshu Sengupta, who has made quite a few remarkable stints in Bollywood to his name, is ready to impress the audience with his latest offering Shakuntala Devi which stars Vidya Balan in the lead role. In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat Sitara, the Kahani actor shared his experience of featuring alongside the "sweetest co-star." The film, directed by Anu Menon, is based on the life of human-computer and mathematics genius Shakuntala Devi. Here's an excerpt from the interview.

• Q: How did you spend time during the lockdown?

Jisshu: All good. Sometimes I had a great time, sometimes I got bored. It's kind of mixed feelings.

• Q: Please tell us about your character in Shakuntala Devi

Jisshu: The character's name is Paritosh Banerjee. I do not want to say more than that. Otherwise, a lot has to be said. I will request everyone to watch the movie.

• Q: What made you say 'yes' to the Anu Menon's directorial?

Jisshu: The script, the story... Who wouldn't want to be a part of this biopic! After she offered the film to me, I read the script and it sounded awesome. That is why I say 'yes' to Anu for Shakuntala Devi.

• Q: How was your experience of portraying Vidya Balan's on-screen husband?

Jisshu: It was a great experience. Vidya is absolutely sweetheart. After working with so many people, Vidya to me seems to be the sweetest co-star. A very humble woman. I really like the way Vidya works. The biggest thing is - me being a huge fan of Vidya. And Vidya knows that. She has seen my work in Rajkahini, directed by Rituparno Ghosh. So she knew me even before this film. She used to crack jokes and make fun on set.

• Q: Any memorable incident while shooting for the film?

Jisshu: It is very difficult to say one or two such events. The whole film can be termed as memorable. We always had fun on set. Anu would go crazy with us.

• Q: Since the film is based on numbers, how good were you at mathematics?

Jisshu: I was very bad at studying. Please don't ask me this question (laughs)...

• Q: Your reaction to the film being released on OTT platform

Jisshu: I've always thought that OTT might be the future of films. But I did not think that the future would come so soon. I also believe that cinema halls will also co-exist. Movies like Gladiator, Avatar and Bahubali will always be made for big screens. But at the moment we have no other choice. People from 200 countries will see it together. It's always nice to see yourself on the big screen. But it feels good to see so many people watching the movie from across countries.

• Q: Do you watch movies on OTT platforms?

Jisshu: Yes, of course, I do.

• Q: Latest movie that you have seen...

Jisshu: Red 2. I love watching action dramas. This is probably the fifth time I've seen the film. I just saw it a few days back.

• Q: Your take on nepotism and favouritism

Jisshu: Nepotism is everywhere. It's better not to talk about it. I'm tired of speaking about it. It's much better to talk about work than this. The industry is like an open book.

• Q: Which is your favourite song in the movie?

Jisshu: Jhilmil, because it is my and Vidya's song.

• Q: From Mardani to Manikarnika, you have starred opposite female leads. When can the audience see Jisshu Sengupta leading a Bollywood film?

Jisshu: The directors or producers can only say that. But I think you will see it very soon. But one thing is - I don't want to play the role of a protagonist only. I want good content. If there is good content and my character is only 10 minutes long, I will do it, provided the character has to be very important. I want to play the protagonist as well and it is going to happen very soon. A villain can also be a protagonist, isn't it?

• Q: Message for the readers of ETV Bharat

Jisshu: For now, I would just tell everyone to watch Shakuntala Devi on Amazon Prime.