There was no way I could say ‘no’ to Sonar Pahar, says Tanuja

KOLKATA: Veteran Bollywood actress, Tanuja, who is making a comeback in Bengali cinema after two decades via the film Sonar Pahar, says there was no way she could say ‘no’ to this film.

Tanuja was present at the press meet of Sonar Pahar which was held in Kolkata yesterday (16 May).  

Addressing the media, she said, “Over the years, I have not come to Calcutta. Scripts that were available to me, the stories that came to me, I did not agree with them. But this was something I couldn’t say no.”

She added, “It’s the story that counts. The whole subject matters. I thought about the character and I realized that there are a lot of women who go through this particular whole stage where they worked so hard and they are not acknowledged and they finally say okay I am going to save my little corner of the world and I don’t want anybody… Let’s see how it (the film) works for me because personally I am not that kind of a person. It was like a challenge for me to be able to do this.”  

When TellyChakkar asked how was it to get directed by one of the well-known Tollywood actors, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, she said, “He has a vision and he showed me his vision. He was able to make me visualize his vision. There was no way that I was going to say ‘no’.”

“He is a good director because he is an actor. To be a good director you have to know all forms,” added the actress who acted in Bengali films like Deya Neya, Antony Firingee, Teen Bhubaner Pare, Adalat O Ekti Meye and Prothom Kadam Phool.    

The film, Sonar Phar, revolves around a mother-son relationship, which crosses various dimensions and ups and lows. To the mother’s emptiness, there comes a seven year old kid, Bitlu, who helps her explore the unexplored areas in her life and makes her feel more child-like in his company. This whole cycle of relation and the transition period help evolve the story.

Tanuja is essaying the role of the mother while Tollywood actor Jisshu Sengupta will be seen as her son. Child actor Sreejato is playing the role of Bitlu.

Veteran Tollywood actor Soumitra Chattopadhyay is also playing a pivotal in this film. Tanuja and Soumitra will be seen sharing screen space after Teen Bhubaner Paare.

Bong beauty Arunima Ghosh, who too was present at the press meet, will be seen as Jisshu’s wife in the film. The film’s director Parambrata has also played an integral role in it.  

Shooting of the film took place in various places of Kolkata and Sikkim.  

Produced by GreenTouch Entertainment Pvt Ltd, Sonar Pahar will hit the theatres on 8 June.