'The entire profit of this film will be directed towards flood victims in Assam and Nepal': Aryann Bhowmik on horror-comedy 'Bhootu Aaya Bhago'

Q. According to you, what makes Bhootu Aaya Bhago different?

Debraj Bhattacharya: I have worked in horror before, but this film is different because it is not a typical horror-comedy. Usually, when horror and comedy are combined, the comedy tends to overpower the horror. Here, the makers have tried to maintain a balance between the two. The story begins on a lighter note, but gradually paranormal activities enter the picture and the situation becomes more serious. That transition was interesting for me as an actor.

Aryann Bhowmik: I would not describe it as simply a horror-comedy either. The film has horror and comedy, but there is also friendship, love, devotion and a journey. All these elements are woven into the story naturally. That balance is one of the interesting aspects of the film.

Q. What made you say yes to Bhootu Aaya Bhago?

Shreema Bhattacherjee: I had worked on a horror project before, in 2024. It was a relatively small-budget, documentary-style horror film, and after that experience, I had decided that I probably would not do horror again because I felt the genre did not suit me. But Bhootu Aaya Bhago felt different. I was comfortable with my co-actors, the team and the director, and there was no dark, heavy horror to it. There was positivity, friendship and love as well. That was one of the reasons I decided to do the film, and it turned out to be a great experience.

Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. Describe your characters and the journey they undertake in this film?

Aryann Bhowmik: I play Apu. When the story begins, he is not really sure where his life is heading and his circumstances are working against him. As the story progresses, he gains confidence and starts enjoying the journey. What interested me most was the bonding between the three friends and how they deal with the situation together.

Debraj Bhattacharya: I play Shyamal, one of the three friends. They are struggling financially and decide to make money through social media by creating pranks around the idea of supernatural incidents. Initially, things go well for them, but eventually the situation becomes complicated. Shyamal also goes through different shades as the story progresses, which is what attracted me to the character.

Shreema Bhattacherjee: My character is quite clear about what she wants. She is morally strong and believes in protecting and nurturing relationships, but she does not blindly support people just because they are close to her. She also becomes involved in solving the mysteries and problems that arise in the story. That investigative aspect made the character interesting for me.

Q. How was your friendship with the three friends and their chemistry?

Aryann Bhowmik: The chemistry between the three friends was very important because the film is not about one individual. Debraj, Rahul and I were on the same page about that. We had a good personal bonding, and that naturally helped us bring the friendship on screen. The focus was always on the trio and how they navigate the situation together.

Debraj Bhattacharya: We spent a lot of time understanding the characters and the way they function as a group. Since the story moves from comedy to something much more serious, the chemistry had to remain believable throughout. Friendship is an important part of what keeps the story moving.

Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. How did you balance both the genres of fear and comedy?

Debraj Bhattacharya: The graph of the film changes. In the beginning, there is a lot of fun, but once the paranormal activities start, the seriousness gradually increases. As an actor, I had to understand that change from the beginning and prepare the character accordingly.

Aryann Bhowmik: That was definitely a challenge. The shifts happen quite quickly. You are dealing with a comic situation at one point and then suddenly the story demands a different emotional response. But that also made the process enjoyable because the actors had to constantly respond to the changing situations.

Q. Having worked extensively in television, how different has your experience been while working on films?

Shreema Bhattacherjee: Television often comes with certain expectations about how a heroine or a particular character should behave. Films give you more space to explore flawed, grey or realistic characters rather than keeping them completely black or white. I found that interesting in this film.

Aryann Bhowmik: I have also worked in Bollywood, where the scale and infrastructure can be different. Bengali films often have a faster and more flexible working process. But ultimately, cinema is cinema. For me, the script and the character are what matter, regardless of the language or scale.

Q. How did you prepare yourself for your character, and what was your approach to bringing the role to life?

Shreema Bhattacherjee: In television, you often have to perform within a very short time. With a film, there is comparatively more time to understand the character's mindset, gestures and reactions. Once I understood my character properly, I did not want to overthink every movement. I wanted the reactions to feel natural.

Debraj Bhattacharya: My theatre experience helped me a lot. I have been doing theatre for a long time, apart from singing, and that regular practice of playing different roles makes you more comfortable with acting. It helped me approach Shyamal with more ease.

Q. How was your experience of working with the late Rahul Arunoday Banerjee?

Shreema Bhattacherjee: Rahul da's work had been a part of my life even before I met him. I grew up listening to his songs and watching his work, so working with him felt unreal. Our association was unfortunately short, and I wish there had been more time. But I am grateful for the experience. I miss him every day. Even now, when I meet Debraj da, Aryann and the rest of the team, his absence is felt. We miss his laughter, his warmth and his presence.

Debraj Bhattacharya: It was not the first time I was sharing a scene with Rahul, and I have many memories of him. He was a very good actor and had a rebellious quality that influenced the people working with him. His presence will stay with me forever.

Aryann Bhowmik: Rahul da's presence was an important part of the team, and his absence is something we continue to feel. Working with him and being around him created memories that remained connected.

Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. How was your experience of working with director Dr Manoranjan Jena?

Debraj Bhattacharya: Dr Manoranjan Jena is very passionate about Bengali cinema. For him, filmmaking is not only about business; he genuinely wanted to make this film and put a lot of passion into it. The film developed from his script, and I hope people watch it and experience what he wanted to create.

Aryann Bhowmik: Dr Manoranjan Jena is a brilliant producer and director, and working with him and director Souvik Dey was a great experience. After seeing the final film, I felt they had brought an interesting vision to the project. In fact, the entire profit of this film will be directed towards flood victims in Assam and Nepal, which makes me especially proud to be associated with it. It makes the project more than just a release — it becomes a mission.

Q. What do you think audiences will connect with most in the film?

Aryann Bhowmik: For me, the most interesting part is the chemistry between the three characters. That was always our focus while portraying them. We didn't want to portray our individual characters separately, but the relationship between the three of them had to remain at the centre. I believe that chemistry, along with the film's twists, different genres and emotional elements, will give the audience an entertaining experience.

Q. What do you think makes it different for the audience?

Shreema Bhattacherjee: The film is not based on just one emotion, but several emotions. There is horror, but there is also friendship, love, humour and mystery. I hope audiences enjoy it as an entertainer. We have made this film with a lot of affection, especially as something audiences can enjoy around the festive season. I hope they stay with us and give the film their love.