Arjunn Dutta’s Bibi Payra, which is currently running at the theatres, sees versatile actor Subrat Dutta play Saikat, a closeted gay man and husband to Paoli Dam’s character, Jhuma. A well-to-do government officer by day, cosplaying by night, he has a pretty emotionally distressing life too, which we witnessed on screen. In a chat with Indulge, he opens up about his character. Excerpts:
Tell us about your character Saikat.
Like most of my other characters, this is also special, but I have played a similar character on stage earlier. Here, there were four people working to create my look. While every character is grey, this character is not just grey but has a lot of other colours to it. We had a great team, but somehow the way our DOP, Supratim Bhol, shot it, it was a little tricky for me. I had to be a little more conscious to not go overboard with the mannerisms. I had to be very particular about my movements so that I don’t hurt the sentiments of anyone.
Over the years, you have always chosen layered, grey characters. Why’s that?
I think, more than me choosing the characters, it is the makers believing that I would fit those roles. Back in 2010, I played Swara Bhaskar’s father in a film called Madholal Keep Walking, and in the one I am shooting for now, I play a man younger than my own self. In my next, I will play a character’s younger and older selves, so yes, I would say I am just lucky enough to receive these opportunities.
Since you mentioned your next projects, could we know a little about the same?
Phera is my next, a Pritha Chakraborty directorial, which also stars Sanjay Mishra. There are a few Hindi and Bengali projects I shot for in 2025. It is kind of a happening year. I don’t know how much I have matured as an actor, but I have definitely matured as a father; my daughter just took her board exams.
A few months back, we once spoke about AI getting introduced in films. Where does it stand now?