IFFI 2021: Soumitra Chatterjee's body of work will inspire generations to come, said Abhijaan actress Paoli Dam

Parambrata Chatterjee’s Abhijaan (2021), which was screened as part of the Indian Panorama at the 52nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, pays tribute to legendary thespian Soumitra Chatterjee, one of the stalwarts of the golden era of Bengali cinema.

Starring the late actor himself, Abhijaan was screened on Friday 26 November at the festival. In the film, director Parambrata dons the avatar of an admirer who wants to make a film on the veteran. As the latter takes the aspirant through the alleys of his memories, the narrative unfolds in flashback with Jisshu Sengupta playing the younger Soumitra.

Abhijaan, however, is not a chronological biopic. The film also stars Paoli Dam, Qaushiq Mukherjee and Basab Dutta Chatterjee.

“Abhijaan is based on the life journey of Soumitra Chatterjee, who was an institution," Dam said at a press conference on Saturday at IFFI.

The actress said interacting with Soumitra Chatterjee was always enlightening. “He is one actor whose legacy the present generation of Bengal artistes has been trying to inherit," she said. "His body of work will inspire generations to come. I was privileged to work with him in a few films.”

Dam said aspiring artistes and filmmakers should try to imitate Soumitra's indomitable spirit, creative mind and sensibility.

Addressing the press, Navratan Jhawar, producer of Abhijaan, said, “First he refused to accept our offer. He gave his consent later after several requests. Instead of making a biopic, we have shown his real-life journey.”