In Memory of Mrinal da

Today's blog post is a rather sombre one. Our dear friend and colleague Mrinal Banerjee, or Mrinal da as we fondly called him, passed away last week. Many will remember him as ‘macha’ Bapi from Gaaner Oparey and Bhiringi from Adwitiya, if not for his various other roles in a number of television serials.

The unit was almost like a family and he was the most bullied member of this family. Each and every member of the unit had, at some point or the other, pulled his leg. He was always sporting enough to take it in his stride. We are all grief-stricken by his sudden demise. It was rather unexpected. He was just 40 years old.

His death has once again pointed out how important helmets are. Two wheelers are unstable. They have no balance of their own. Please wear helmets while riding bikes or scooters. Do not be reckless. Do not make the same mistake he did. It cost him his life.

I had the opportunity to work with him in Gaaner Oparey, Adwitiya, Rang Milanti and Laptop. He was assistant to Kaushik Ganguly in the two feature films. He will always be remembered as a tremendous sport without whom none of those shoots would have been as much fun.

Mrinal da, you are sorely missed.

End of an Era!

First and foremost I want to thank all my well wishers for the overwhelming love. 4000+ members on TGCF! Quite a feat! Congratulations to the administrators for running the page so efficiently. The meticulously put together information, the prompt answers to any queries by members, the photos dug up from the immense mess that is the internet... quite a task! It is almost like a full time job! I thank you for spending your valuable time informing the world about my work. And I thank all members for their most valuable comments on the page. Rest assured I go through each and every one of them if and when possible.They are very precious to me. I can never aptly describe the joy that it gives me to go through all that you have to say, good or bad.

I cannot deny that Star Jalsha has given me a lot of firsts. The latest first is an award. The Star Jalsha Parivaar Award for “Shobcheye Priyo Kholnayok”. Though this is more of an in-house award, it does not cease to be my first. It will always be very special to me. I was a bundle of nerves as I went up on stage to accept the award. I don’t even remember what I said! I’ll have to try and catch the telecast to know exactly what happened. Here goes a photo of the award.

Adwitiya... Well there is so much I want to say but words fail me at this moment of emotional upheaval. It is indeed the end of an era for me. I have been a part of this unit since May, 2010, that is, since Gaaner Oparey began. Almost 2 years. It’s as if I’m graduating from college! Hahaha... The time spent with this unit will remain special to me for as long as I live. When Gaaner Oparey ended we were sad but then again there was Adwitiya coming up. With the same unit. But this time there is nothing in store for the moment. It is a terrible feeling to see what had become a family, separate and go their different ways. Adwitiya will be very special to me for having had a chance to play such a complex, unpredictable, devilish man like Robi Kiran Chowdhury. Like I have said before, it will be a character very close to my heart forever. I have enjoyed each moment of being this man. 24^th February 2012 was our last day of shoot. The last episode looks to be a very emotional one. Let us hope it will stir your hearts as it has ours while we have shot it.

Now for some information!

I have noticed that your continued support has resulted in a great number of votes for me at the International Bengali Film Awards website. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have a small piece of news regarding this event. I have just received a letter from IBFA stating that due to unforeseen circumstances, the event has been postponed from March 2012 to May 2012.

Laptop is due for release in April. Let’s hope the pre-release publicity starts soon. I’m sure you’ll have access to any new information regarding the release of the film courtesy the able administration of the administrators of TGCF!

The second schedule of Ashbo Arek Din will fall during the first week of April. I am looking forward to spending some quality time with another unit that is very close to my heart.

Thank you all once again for everything! I leave you with a photo from the first look test that we did for Adwitiya! Hahaha... Please excuse the quality. The original photo was clicked by ace photographer Sanat Ghosh. I clicked it from his computer. Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

প্রথমেই সবাইকে জানাই নতুন বছরের অনেক অনেক শুভেচ্ছা। ২০১২ সকলের খুব ভালো কাটুক।
আমার ২০১১ শেষ হয়েছে সর্দি কাশি দিয়ে এবং অগত্যা ২০১২ শুরুও হয়েছে তাই দিয়ে। আমার একটা chronic কাশির প্রবলেম আছে যেটা মাঝে মাঝেই চাগাড় দিয়ে ওঠে। বিশেষ করে season change-এর সময়। এইটা নিয়ে কথা বলতেই হচ্ছে কারণ ১লা জানুয়ারী একাডেমিতে যারা অপ্সরা থিয়েটার-এর মামলা দেখতে এসেছিলেন তাদের অনেকেরই বক্তব্য ছিল যে আমার গলা ঠিক মতো শোনা যাচ্ছিল না। বিশেষ করে যারা একটু পেছনের দিকে বসে ছিলেন তাদের তো প্রবল আপত্তি ছিল যে তারা অনেকেই আমার গলা ঠিক করে শুনতে পারছিলেন না। এর সম্পূর্ণ দোষ আমার কারণ আমি আমার গলার যথেষ্ট খেয়াল রাখতে পারিনি। অনেক দিন ধরে কাশি persist করায় আমার গলাটা ভেঙ্গেছে। Thankfully আমি এখন প্রধানত আসব আরেক দিন-এই কাজ করছি। সিনেমায় পরে গলা dub করার সুবিধে থাকে। সিরিয়াল-এ তা থাকে না। এখন অদ্বিতীয়া-র শুটিং থাকলে গলায় খুব চাপ পড়ত। Allopathy, homeopathy সব করার পর কাশিটা অনেকটাই কমেছে। আশা করছি আর কয়েক দিনে গলাটাও সেরে যাবে।

আসব আরেক দিন-এর কাজ মোটামোটি halfway complete। ১০ তারিখে প্রথম শিডিয়ুল শেষ হবে। Hectic হলেও খুব মজা করে কাজ হচ্ছে। আশা করছি এই ছবিটা সকলেরই ভালো লাগবে। কয়েক দিন আগেই রাজারহাটে একটা গানের শুট হলো। গানটা চন্দ্রবিন্দু-র। তাই আসা করব আমাদের শুট করতে যতটা ভালো লেগেছে, সকলের দেখতেও ততটাই ভালো লাগবে। ছবি নিয়ে বিশেষ কিছু এক্ষুনি বলতে পারব না। কিন্তু খবরের মাধ্যমে আস্তে আস্তে সব কিছুই জানা যাবে।
১লা জানুয়ারী TGCF-এর অনেকের সাথে দেখা করে ভীষণ ভালো লাগলো। তোমরা সকলে আমায় ভীষণ ভাবে উত্সাহিত করো। আমি আগেও বলেছি আবারও বলছি। শুধু চিন্তা হয় যে এই রকম ভালবাসা পেয়ে ল্যাজ মোটা না হয়ে যায়! যেদিন থেকে নিজেকে অনেক কিছু ভাবতে শুরু করব সেদিন থেকে পতন শুরু! আসা করব এই ভুল যেন কোনদিনও না করি। আবারও তোমাদের সবাইকে অনেক অনেক ধন্যবাদ। May I do justice to all your expectations :)

আমার দুটো ব্লগ পোস্ট-এর মধ্যে অনেকটাই gap পড়ে গেল। আসলে অনেকদিন পর সুযোগ পেয়ে লিখতে বসলাম। আর ভাবলাম বাঙালির ছেলে বাংলায় লিখি! আসা করি সবাই পড়তে পারবে। অনেক সময় বাংলা font সবার computer-এ read করে না। যাদের এই সমস্যা হচ্ছে তাদের সবাইকে sorry!

শুভেচ্ছাসহ
গৌরব চক্রবর্তী

First Post

So much to say and so little space to write. That is why I’m shifting to this blog. The Facebook wall allows only 1000 characters and all that I have to say will not fit into that. First and foremost, thank you everyone. I cannot believe that The Gaurav Chakrabarty Forum on Facebook now has 3000+ members. It is unbelievable that so many of you have so many nice things to say about my work. All the positivity and love that you have showered on me, I can never truly repay. It is beyond my understanding as to how you have such kind words and feelings for me. I can never thank you enough.

The latest news that I have to offer is something that is already known to most of you. Laptop will be a part of the Indian Panorama at the International Film Festival of India to be held in Goa in November. It is definitely Kaushik Ganguly’s achievement but it gives me immense pride to say that I am a part of the film. The film should release in the first half of 2012.

As I write this, Rang Milanti is on its way to completing 50 days in theatres. Again it is a matter of great pride for me that my debut feature film has done so well. And again I have only you, my audience and well wishers, to thank for that. You have shown immense support for the film. Word of mouth publicity has worked wonders for Rang Milanti. Thank you showing your support for quality work and also for spreading the news. It gives us great pleasure that all the hard work has ultimately paid off. We are grateful to you for supporting us and appreciating our work.

I have read most of your comments and have realized that a lot of you want to know how I spent the pujas. I was far away from the madding crowd in the small sea side town of Gopalpur in Orissa. I did get tanned but it was a very fulfilling and relaxing experience. It made getting back to work totally worth it. Here's a photo of the beach.

I have also gathered that many of you want to know about my experience of shooting for Adwitiya. The first thing I would say is that it has been a tough job. Robi Kiran Choudhury is not Gaurav Chakrabarty and vice versa. So getting into the skin of such a character has been a very difficult job. I have the makers to thank for that. Joydeep Mukherjee, my director, in particular. Their guidance has taken me through. And of course, your support. Without that I would never have got the confidence it takes to play Robi Kiran. I am thoroughly enjoying playing this bad man. I hope you all are enjoying watching him just as much!

I would like to thank the Forum administrators for running the page so efficiently. It is unbelievable as to how fast you get to know all information regarding my work. Sometimes before even I do! It is all thanks to those people behind The Gaurav Chakrabarty Forum who so diligently search for and upload any information that they find. I wish I could give them more support in the information department. Ironically, it is the same work that you are so curious to know about that prevents me from doing so. And that is the reason why there has been such a long break since the last time I wrote. I am more than just sorry for the delay.

Now that the pujas are over, Charbak shows will be getting back into full swing starting from November. I will try to convey the show dates and timings to the administrators.

Thank you all once again for all your love and affection.

Love and best wishes,

Gaurav Chakrabarty