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Bengali cinema has forgotten to have fun: Abir Chatterjee

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By Subhash K Jha
Mumbai, Jan 25 (IANS) One of Bengals most versatile actors, Abir Chatterjee, seen this week in the pivotal role of the gentle hotel manager in Srijit Mukherjees “Shah Jehan Regency”, feels constrained by the limits imposed on an actor by Bengali audiences on Bengali cinema.

“Bengal has always been inclined towards intellectual cuturalism. I feel now that intellectual inclination has grown into a kind of pseudo-intellectualism which is very restrictive for Bengali cinema.

“Audiences go to see Bengali cinema only when the films have a message or when the characters convey a social relevance or a statement on life and politics. In other words, if as an actor you want to succeed in Bengali cinema you better not try to show you character to be a happy uncomplicated person, Which is why in my new release ‘Shah Jehan Regency’ the angst-ridden character played by Swastika Chatterjee would make a much wider impact than my character who seems to have no problems in life,” Abir said forthrightly.

Abir feels the Bengali audiences penchant for drama has its roots in theatre.

“Audiences of Bengali cinema want to see a certain amount of theatricality in Bangla cinema. These pseudo-cultural rules of cinematic entertainment do not apply to Hindi cinema. Bengali audiences are happy to just see Hindi films for fun. But not Bengali films.

“They loved ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya’. And so did I. But if I were to do something similar in a Bengali film I’d be accused of being frivolous,” he said.

So does Abir feel constrained as an actor?

“There are many limitations to what one can do in Bangla cinema. However I cannot complain about the lack of opportunities. Few directors like Srijit Mukherjee have a staunch viewership. And as long as I keep working with them I have an audience and a fair amount of flexibility as an actor,” said Abir.

Having said this, Abir does feel his talents are restricted by his image.

“I am mostly seen to be ideal to play sleuths and detective , though in my last two film,the short-film ‘Maya’ (directed by Anniruddh Roy Chowdhary) and ‘Shah Jehan Regency’ I have a romantic role,” he said.

In both Abir loses the love of his life.

“And now in my next release ‘Tritya Adhyay’ with Paoli Dam, I again lose the girl. Luckily for me I am not a loser in love in real life,” quips Abir.

–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

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World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

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