\'It was an experience of a lifetime\': Kumar Mukherjee on his acting debut
Mumbai: Kumar Mukherjee is a renowned Hindustani classical and semi-classical vocalist and teacher last Gandabandh disciple of late Ustad Munawar Ali Khansahib, son of Bade Ghulam Ali. The celebrated artist is playing himself in Bengali film 'Srabon-er Dhaara', directed by Sudeshna Roy and Abhijit Guha.
Kumar will be sharing screen space with veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee. Shedding light on his character in the film, he says, "I play myself. I am addressed as Kumar/Kumarda. Am singing at a house party where the host Soumitra Chatterjee is present along with his on screen wife Gargi and others. No dialogues."
The film deals with the problems today’s generation faces and the issues pertaining to the older generation. Talking about his experience working with the veteran Soumitro, Kumar shares, “It was an experience of a lifetime, and for a novice like me sharing screen space with him was a dream come true. He was appreciative of my performance and made me feel at ease. In fact I suppose that triggered us to cast him as the head of the family in my music video Dawshobhuja- A Durgachitra, along with Usha Uthup, Bickram Ghosh, Jaya Seal Ghosh and a host of luminaries from the Kolkata music fraternity."
Kumar Mukherjee with veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee. (On the right)
Kumar is accomplished classical singer, so what made him to want to act in films? he reveals, "Being an artist, I want to express myself through various mediums and films, are undoubtedly a medium which has a reach unparalleled by any other. I haven’t accomplished much as a classical singer but thanks a lot for your compliment. Another important part is that, I didn’t have to ACT! I was just asked to play myself by the director duo. With such wonderful directors and Gargi and Soumitrababu as co stars, it was a cakewalk for me."
Revealing more about his acting process, Kumar credits his director duo to make it look so easy for him. He shares, "Both Sudeshnadi and Abhijit are wonderful people (not because they cast me), they have given me the creative space needed for any artist who wants to flourish. Another very important aspect is that they made it look so easy. In fact, when I dubbed the song, I had to look at my lip movements and sing accordingly. Which, you know is no mean feat!"
It is a dream for any artist to mould his creativity in different forms, so what if Kumar offered more such acting offers in future? Pat comes the reply: "Of course, I am game."
"If the role needs me, if my being there can add anything to the character or the film, I am here for takers," he concludes.
