I did a 10-minute role in Rajkahini, in Manikarnika and a Telugu film too. I hope those left an impact on the audience.
— Jisshu Sengupta
I always want to be surrounded by likeminded people. I cannot work with grumpy people.
I am an actor and I do not have to relate to whatever I play on screen them at a personal level. What is important is to understand the character, do enough homework to know the frame of mind of the character or his back story.
After reading the script I ask the director about my character's background, what does he do, how he walks, talks, what clothes he wears... I ask the director how he is looking at it.
I am 100-films old. In my heyday, I have done a lot of commercial films, including dancing around the trees with the heroine. But after working with Rituparno Ghosh, my understanding of cinema changed. Whatever good I am doing, it is because of him. If I am being called a good actor, it is only because of him.
I had learnt horse riding while shooting for a Bengali film earlier and was trained in sword fighting on the set of 'Manikarnika'.
Besides, I never think negative. That is my biggest strength. Even if someone thinks bad about me I wish good for that person. I am not saying I am a super human being but I have always wanted good for people and look where I am today!
I was at a dinner with my family in 2017, end-October, when I got the call. I got to know that 'Manikarnika' was being made and they wanted me to play Gangadhar Rao.
It's the upbringing at home. You can have education abroad, the best of things, but you can be a horrible human being.
Both my daughters scold me. I am the youngest in my family.
I have a problem with the star tag itself. I believe I am an actor.
Since I surrender myself to the director, it is important for me to trust him.
I believe in things which I can see or feel. If I see it, I'll believe in it.
I am a director's actor. I love the environment of the set, I want to be there and I try to understand what or how the character would respond to certain situations.
All I care about is that the audience should remember me for the character I play. I want to be part of content-driven films in any language.
In Bombay people know me as a Rituparno Ghosh actor but Calcutta gives me the comfort zone and that's why I love shooting here. In Bombay, the money is bigger, the stakes are bigger.
Look, for every film I change my look.
The top Bengali directors in Bollywood know about me and the work that I have done. I have worked with everyone, from Anurag Basu, Pradeep Sarkar to Shoojit Sircar.
I do more of ensemble casting, roles that are different. In one film I'm playing a villain, in the other I'm playing a son.
My work in Bollywood depends on the dates needed from me and my role in a film.
I live every character between 'action' and 'cut' and do not take them home or live with them for 70 days while shooting. That is my process.
When I read a script I respond to it like an audience member. At the end of the film, if I'm there in the audience's mind, I have done my job.
As a creative person, I think one should follow one's heart.
I just focus on my character and how pivotal it is to the narrative. I don't mind even a 10-minute role, if it's important to the script.
I am the only guy in Tollywood who can carry off floral pants and look good.
I was simultaneously shooting for 'Manikarnika' and 'Ek Je Chhilo Raja'. In two-and-a-half months, I took 23 flights, including an international flight to Los Angeles. It was physically very challenging, shooting for both. I would catch up on sleep on the flights.
I am looking at characters that will stay with people, that they will remember. Characters that are relevant.
As an actor I can't think of what my daughter will think when she grows up. I will never do certain kinds of roles that I have in my mind. And for that I'm sure my daughters are going to be proud of me.
