Anirban Bhattacharya expresses desire to work in Bangladeshi cinema

Anirban Bhattacharya, one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Bengali theatre and cinema, has said he is eager to work in Bangladesh and has already “applied” to do so.

In a recent interview with BBC Bangla, the actor reflected on his journey from Medinipur to Kolkata in 2004, his views on language and nationalism, the changing social climate in Bengal, and his admiration for Bangladeshi artistes and filmmakers.

Bhattacharya said he believes many Bengalis today suffer from a sense of inferiority regarding their mother tongue, often feeling hesitant while expressing themselves in Bangla.

Discussing nationalism, he referenced Rabindranath Tagore’s novel “Ghore Baire”, arguing that blind emotional frenzy should not be mistaken for patriotism. According to the actor, genuine love for one’s country teaches people respect rather than encouraging fanaticism.

Reflecting on his early years in Kolkata, Bhattacharya noted how different society felt in 2004 compared to today’s information-heavy and opinion-saturated environment. He described that earlier period as calmer and more straightforward.

Like many Bengali boys growing up, he once dreamed of becoming a footballer, although he admitted he lacked any “extraordinary” talent on the field. Speaking about the social changes he witnessed during the 1990s and early 2000s, the actor said a growing culture of material desire and consumerism had begun shaping Bengali society.

Bhattacharya also described himself as someone without rigid ambitions. Using a metaphor, he said he sees himself more as a “trekker” or explorer than someone obsessed with reaching a summit.

Whether through acting, music, or filmmaking, he said his work has always been driven by passion rather than competition or commercial success. He also described Bangla language and theatre as his primary means of self-expression.

While he said he is not personally disturbed by the growing mixture of Bangla with Hindi and English in everyday speech, he remains concerned about the larger structural reasons behind it, including the decline of government schools and the increasing dominance of Hindi and English in society.

At the same time, Bhattacharya expressed little faith in urban intellectual circles regarding the preservation of Bangla language and culture. In his view, rural and marginalised communities continue to protect and sustain the language more sincerely than many urban elites.

The actor praised the work of several Bangladeshi artistes, including Chanchal Chowdhury, Mosharraf Karim, and Jaya Ahsan, describing himself as an admirer of their performances.

Bhattacharya revealed that shortly before Bangladesh’s July uprising, he had received an offer to work in the country. He expressed particular interest in collaborating with filmmaker Nuhash Humayun and actress Nipun.

“I’ve applied to work in Bangladesh,” he said.

Although Tollywood remains his primary workplace, Bhattacharya said strong creative work and compelling filmmakers continue to draw him toward Bangladesh.

Addressing concerns about younger generations losing interest in theatre, the actor said he does not entirely agree with that perception. However, he noted that shrinking financial support from India’s central government has significantly affected the theatre scene.

Beyond acting, Bhattacharya’s band Hooliganism has recently gained popularity among younger audiences. Speaking about the band’s song “Prithibita Bhalo Lokeder Noy”, he said the track reflects the frustration, hopelessness, and emotional struggles of unemployed youth in contemporary society.