Probashi- Cover Story
Probashi- Cover Story
Excerpts from Production Controller ’ s Diary added that they did not perceive any trouble at the shooting , since people in Goa are used to film shootings and do not mob film locations . How was I to explain to the SHO that the main motivation was not security concerns but Mithunda ’ s Kolkata celebrity hangover . Undettered , next I went to Police Commissioner ’ s office to try my luck . The Commissioner was again point blank and said that there was a student agitation going on in the town and that he would not be able to spare any police men , and further added that there was no security threat to Mithun in Goa . At this I blurted out the truth to the Police Commissioner saying that actually Mithun Charaborty will not shoot if there were no policemen on the set . The commissioner gave a hearty laugh and probably taking pity on my rather nervous state said he could send two traffic policemen for a day , if that would make the star to cooperate . I agreed , though I had my doubts whether traffic pokice would be acceptable to Mithunda . Now those who have seen Goa traffic police will appreciate my reasons for doubt . Traffice cops in Goa wear half blue pants , have a blue Gandhi cap , are generally frail , and look like grown up school boys in uniform . But then I had no choice , so I agreed to the Commissioners suggestion . The two traffic policemen came along with me to the film set . I went to Mithunda and with all deference said that police protection had arrived in form of two traffic policemen , half expecting Mithunda to blow up . However instead Mithunda smiled and seemed content that the security arrangements were fool proof . My immediate problem was resolved , now I had to think what to do for the next day , because the policemen were only available for a day . They say necessity is the mother of invention , and it rang very true this time . We had some police uniforms in our costume inventory , I requested two waiters at the hotel we were staying to wear the police uniform and come to the sets and act as if they were real policemen . They were to ensure that MIthunda saw them ocassionaly , and for their whole day effort each man would get Rs . 100 . So from next day onwards there were two cops with a smart turnout ready to take on any security eventuality that might befall . And needless to say the 12 day shooting went on without a hitch .
4 May 2000 : Last evening I and my friends had an impromptu adda ( leisurely discussion ) session . My friend Bishu remarked with his usual drawl “ Surajit it is time you tried your luck in front of the camera ”. I said that my experience teaches me that acting is not very easy ; otherwise everyone would have become an actor . It is to the credit of good actors who make acting look easy , but in practice it is difficult ”. I went on to give an example to substantiate my contention . Goutam Ghose till recently used to host a television talk show titled Onnobhuban , where he used to invite people from professions which are not mainstream and ask them to talk about the story of their life and work . Incidentally I was the production controller of the show . One of the episodes featured Rekha , a sex worker from Sonagachi , the red light area off Kolkata . Lata also happened to be the joint secretary of Dourbar , an organisation of sex worker which works for their rights . Rekha impressed all of us by her articulation , voice modulation , body language and confidence in front of the camera . Few months later Goutamda ’ s film Dekha went on the floors in which the main protagonist Sashi Bhusan Sanyal ( Soumitra Chaterjee ), an ageing poet , is a womanizer . The shot which we were preparing for had Sashi Bhushan pick up a sex worker and usher her into his house . We were on a look out for an artist to do the role of the sex worker . I reminded Goutamda about Rekha . Goutamda immediately liked the idea of using a real life sex worker for the role . It appeared straight forward ; Rekha had to do in front of camera what she does for a living . On instructions of Goutamda I went to Sonagachi and located Rekha and asked if she would like to act . She immediately warmed up to the idea . After a week , I took her to Aurora studio where the shooting of Dekha was taking place . Rekha was confidence personified , the makeup was done , and some elementary tips on emoting before the camera given . It was a trolley shot , and the scene required Soumitroda to beckon Rekha to his room with the dialogue “ bhetorey esho ”, and Rekha was to respond by walking in . On face of it the scene looked simple and straightforward . The camera got rolling , Director shouted action , lights were set on , and sound recordist had his equipment on the cue . Soumitroda beckoned Rekha to come in , and then to all our surprise , Rekha just would not move , she was perspiring , trembling , was disoriented and collapsed . Water was rushed in and she was revived . For next two days we tried , Rekha , who otherwise a very confident person would just