Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee talks about his tryst with theatre

What's keeping you busy nowadays?
I am busy preparing for a duo titled Journeys with Sibashish Banerjee. The show opens on May 4 at Sisir Mancha. Journeys is an entourage of memories, my halts with words and my life around it. The readings that I have chosen reading are all a part of the 21 years I have crossed in arts. From Tagore to Dylan , from Cohen to Shankha Ghosh the words speak of my politics of fear, failure, achievements and the epiphany of my path in spoken words.

You are into theatre. How is the experience?
I am doing a play titled Bheeti , directed by Sohag Sen . When you are working with someone like Sohag di, you know you are learning and unlearning at the same time. The biggest compliment came recently from Chaiti Ghoshal who said, "the fact that you are training with Sohag Sen comes across in the frame". I don't think I should care for an award after this statement. Bangla theatre is not essentially an inclusive community but there are exceptions like Sohag Sen who respects an actor and spots the potential. The recent debate on whether theatre is a safe space or not is very apt. But then which industry is "safe"?

Why is it that we don't see you much in films, web series?
I think I am a tortoise in peace. I am also not on the top of mind recall for filmmakers because I haven't been any producer's pet. Casting for films or web series in my city has different parameters. Your caliber as an actor comes later rather than your follower on social media is important. And I think I am too straightforward for the industry. I have no shame in asking for work, but I refuse to be a sweet talker.

What do you feel about the art culture in Kolkata?

The arts in Kolkata are vibrant. I think the media needs to focus on the arts too. I mean there is more to the arts than films. Culture is a space that has been on a diminishing spree. The new generation is aware but not profound in approach. We might want to intellectualize everything but bridging commerce is very important. Money runs a show not applause.

Share your upcoming projects.
I just finished working for Chaiti Ghoshal's Nevermind and am currently acting in a web series directed by Aritra Sen .