Sourav Das on Art and Role in 'The Bengal Files'

Kolkata, Aug 25 (PTI): Bengali actor Sourav Das, renowned for his role as Gopal 'Patha' in Vivek Agnihotri's forthcoming film 'The Bengal Files', asserts that cinema should be appreciated as an art form devoid of political and ideological biases. 'The Bengal Files' is the final installment in Agnihotri's acclaimed trilogy, following 'The Tashkent Files' (2019) and 'The Kashmir Files' (2022). The film revisits the historical communal riots of August 1946 in Kolkata, famously known as 'Direct Action Day'.

Clocking in at an impressive 204 minutes, the film stands out as one of the longest Indian cinematic productions, with its theatrical release slated for September 5. Das takes on the pivotal role of Gopal Mukhopadhyay, a goat meat seller turned influential figure known for rallying people to stand against rioters during those tumultuous days.

In a candid interview with PTI, Das expressed, "Cinema must be embraced as artwork. Audiences are mature enough to express critique if they disagree, or appreciate when they resonate with the narrative. They must be granted that liberty."

When queried whether the film's depiction might reignite past grievances, Das voiced his disagreement. "We are aware of the events surrounding Independence and Partition, aren't we? Understanding the precursors is equally crucial. It does not predicate a repetition of history. Facts must be acknowledged for what they are," he emphasized.

Addressing criticism on his choice of role, Das stated that actors should not be judged based on their on-screen characters. "In a previous film, I portrayed a character who committed a heinous act. Does that warrant a boycott of my performances? Cinema reflects reality, and antagonistic roles have always had a presence in storytelling," he remarked.

Portraying Gopal 'Patha', Das admitted, came with immense responsibility. "I had an inherent understanding of his significance, yet my director and research team's insights revealed the depth of his iconic status. Embodying him has been profoundly fulfilling," he shared.

When addressed regarding the controversy surrounding the film's teaser unveiling in Kolkata recently, Das opted to remain neutral as he wasn't present in the city during the incident.

'The Bengal Files' boasts an ensemble cast featuring industry stalwarts like Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Darshan Kumar, Pallavi Joshi, Saswata Chatterjee, Simrat Kaur, Namashi Chakraborty, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya in prominent roles.

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