Mutual understanding in romantic relationships key for its survival: Vikram Chatterjee

Sipping water at the SVF office on a rainy evening in Kolkata, Chatterjee complains that social issues are often diluted as women's issues. "I think the biggest problem I see is that social issues are handled as women-centric issues. It's actually a thought process...," the actor says.

Q. You play a liberal husband who is balancing between his mother and wife. How was that exploration?

A. Pritam is actually a very sweet, loving guy. He loves his wife as well as parents. It's very difficult for him to take a side whenever there is a crisis in the family. Hence he tries his best to strike a balance to maintain the peace in the family. The best part of Pritam is that he wants his family to be together as one and that's his priority. So the film will tell whether he (Pritam) succeeds in keeping the family together or not.

Chatterjee made his film debut with Mainak Bhaumik's Bedroom in 2012. In the same year, he caught the limelight featuring in Elar Char Adhyay co-starring Paoli Dam

Q. Tell us about the relationship between Mithi and Pritam.

A. The best part of his relationship with Mithi (played by Madhumita Sarcar) is that it is from their hearts. There is no brain involved in their relationship. There is absolute love and a lot of dependence on each other but at the same time, they develop issues.

Q. What was the biggest takeaway from this onscreen relationship?

A. There is a lot to learn from both Mithi and Pritam, the way they end up supporting and understanding each other. The way to handle one's partner's anger is a very important part of a relationship. Probably complications in the present day couples develop more due to the lack of this kind of understanding. The way to handle the partner's anger and reaching out to him or her keeps the relationship alive.

Some of the most popular daily soaps Chatterjee has been part of are Saat Paake Bandha, Ichchenodi, Phagun Bou

Q. How would you describe your off screen pairing with Madhumita?

A. I always wanted to work with her. I remember earlier she used to shoot on the floor next to mine. I always felt me and Madhumita might look very interesting on screen.

Q. You played serious characters right from the start of your career. Do you think contemporary films with more serious roles open up ample options for you?

A. I don't look at it that way in the first place. There is an ample audience for every kind of film, be it commercial or the ones dealing with sensitive subjects. Cinema does not have the onus to only speak about serious affairs, it is also supposed to entertain people. I as an actor would like to do every kind of cinema that comes my way. The genre doesn't matter to me if I get a kick in a film or an interest in a character.

Chatterjee, in his words, is a travel addict and any hill station is his place for a vacation after every couple of months

Q. Do you think filmmakers often tend to address serious issues from just the urban prism?

A. The urban and rural relatability of a subject is equally important. The subject which Kuler Achaar deals with is very relatable to the women population across the urban, semi-urban and rural Bengal or India in fact. Apart from that, I feel the issues which women in the rural area face should also be addressed. There is a need to think about it.

(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)