‘Pratyabartan’ is my tribute to Badal Sircar: Anjan Dutt

Noted actor, singer, filmmaker, and producer Anjan Dutt, now 73, returns to the screen with his latest film “Pratyabartan”, a project he has both produced and acted in. The film comes shortly after his earlier release “Ei Raat Tomar Amar”, marking a steady creative phase in his long career.

In a recent interview, Anjan Dutt also spoke candidly about his son, Neel Dutt, saying he never raised him with the expectation that he would take care of him in old age. “I never had such expectations, and I have never heard such comments from the people I have worked with,” he said.

Talking about “Pratyabartan,” he explained that the story draws from familiar real-life experiences, reflecting the everyday struggles of balancing work pressure, personal life, and family responsibilities. The film explores the conflicts and understandings that shape such lives.

On the idea of balancing professional and personal life, Anjan Dutt said it is not as difficult as often portrayed. According to him, it depends largely on how an individual chooses to live. While some naturally manage this balance, his character in the film represents a contrasting perspective.

Speaking further about the project, he shared, “When director Samarpan Sengupta brought this character to me, I became quite interested. He is a schoolteacher from a village in Purulia. He is completely different from my own personality.” He added that he prefers to leave the final judgment of the film to the audience.

Addressing the theme of emotional distance between father and son in the narrative, he said, “Many parents believe their children will stay with them throughout their lives. That is a wrong assumption. I believe as long as I am alive, I will live my life my own way. What Neel does is his own decision. I never imagined that he would take care of me in my old age.”

Anjan Dutt also expressed admiration for contemporary filmmakers such as Srijit Mukherji and Kaushik Ganguly, praising their work in modern cinema.

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He also paid tribute to theatre legend Badal Sircar, the pioneer of street theatre in Bengal. Reflecting on his artistic journey and the making of “Pratyabartan”, he said, “I have made this film with my own money. Badal Sircar taught me acting when I was 19. I learned from him for a year. This film is based on him, where the audience will see both Badal Sircar and Anjan Dutt as characters. I am not expecting profit. This is my tribute to Badal Sircar.”