'When you work with children, you have to be patient': Bonny Sengupta on working with child actor in C/O A Journey

Q. You play a conman. What attracted you to this character?

Bonny Sengupta: When Pratik (director) narrated the story to me, he told me I would be playing a con artist. Initially, we wanted to experiment with different characters, but we had limited shooting days. What attracted me was the story and its emotional core. My character comes to Kolkata with many dreams. He is initially emotionless, but gradually becomes more emotional after meeting the child (Trishanjit) and getting attached to him.

Q. You are playing a prostitute for the first time. What made you interested in the character?

Darshana Banik: When Pratik narrated the story and described my character, I really liked it. I always want to do something I have never done before because it gives me a kick. I have played many different characters, but there is a stark difference between them and this one. I had never played a prostitute before, so that itself was interesting.

Actor Bonny Sengupta posing at the interaction event for his film C/O A Journey, ahead of its release. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. Your character undergoes a major emotional transformation. How difficult was it to portray that transition?

Bonny Sengupta: I think that was the most challenging part. In the beginning, the character is very emotionless. He does not react easily or allow himself to show emotions. But as his journey progresses, he starts developing feelings. We see that transformation even in the teaser. His journey from being emotionless to becoming emotional, and his growing connection with the child, was challenging. But Pratik and I had very clear discussions about the scenes and how we wanted to approach the character. He was very clear about what he wanted, which helped me.

Q. How did you prepare for a character you had never played before?

Darshana Banik: It was definitely challenging. When this girl is with her friends or children, she does not think about her profession. She is a very normal person in the morning, but at the same time, she is a professional prostitute. The teaser also shows her speaking to clients with an attitude because she does not want to do it but has to. We had many conversations about these aspects of the character. That contrast was something we discussed a lot.

Q. The film brings together people from very different backgrounds. What interests you about the way their journeys connect?

Bonny Sengupta: I think that is what a journey is about. The destination is important, but meeting people along the way is equally important. These characters come from different places and backgrounds, but somehow their journeys connect. How they come together in one city and help each other is what I found interesting.

Q. You have been friends with Bonny for a long time but are sharing the screen for the first time. Did you discover anything new about him as an actor?

Darshana Banik: As a friend, I always enjoyed being around him. But when I worked with him, I saw how serious he is about his work. He is quiet and gives his time to his work. I also noticed that he learns his lines very quickly, which was something new for me. He is very sorted, understands everything and is very calm and cool.

Candid moment of actress Darshana Banik and actor Bonny Sengupta at the interaction event. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. You share an unusual inter-generational friendship with child actor Trishanjit Chowdhury's character. How special was that relationship for you?

Bonny Sengupta: It was definitely special. When you work with children, you have to be patient because they have their own moods. But he was very good, and apart from one or two scenes, we did not really face any problems. It was very easy and fun to work with him. I have worked with two other children before, so this is my third film with a child actor, and I had a great time.

Q. The film explores some unexpected relationships. How do you look at relationships that develop suddenly in life?

Darshana Banik: I like such relationships. Generally, relationships do not happen so quickly, but sometimes you suddenly connect with someone. You may talk to someone on the phone for two or three days and, when you finally meet, it does not feel like you are meeting them for the first time. It happens with many people, and it has happened to me too.

Q. You have friendships with people from different age groups in your own life. Does that make this kind of relationship relatable to you?

Bonny Sengupta: I always feel that friendship does not have an age. Some of my friends are around 45 years old and I still call them Dada, but they are my friends. It is always fun to sit with them because you can get good ideas from people who have more experience. They share their stories and there is always fun banter.

Q. The film brings together people from different generations. How special was that inter-generational friendship for you?

Darshana Banik: It was very special because I love kids. I think I can get along with children very well. I talk to them logically and whenever they ask me something, I make them understand things. I have always been like that with children. The film also shows that friendships can happen at any age.

Q. This is your first on-screen pairing with Darshana Banik. Did knowing each other beforehand help build your chemistry?

Bonny Sengupta: Hundred per cent. We had worked together before, although that film was not released, so this was not the first time we were working together. We already knew each other, which made things very easy. There is a certain comfort zone between us, so even if there is a scene where we have to hug or hold hands, there is no awkwardness. We always talk and rehearse together. She is very cooperative and punctual. I have known her for a long time, so there was no problem working together.

Actor Bonny Sengupta, Darshana Banik and child actor Trishanjit Chowdhury posing at the interaction event of their film C/O A Journey. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. You are known to be serious and focused on set. Do you think that is an accurate description of you?

Bonny Sengupta: I think we get paid to work, so when I am working, I have to be serious. But I still enjoy it. I like pulling people's legs and I always have that side to me. When I am working, I take the work seriously, but I also like to ease up and enjoy myself.

Q. You have been in the industry for around 12 years. Has your approach towards acting changed with experience?

Bonny Sengupta: Definitely. Initially, I had a lot of problems because I thought I had to say the script exactly as it was written and remember every line. Now, I understand the script as a whole and understand the character better. If the director asks me to add or change something, I can do that. With experience, remembering scripts and characters has become easier. For very different characters, I still have to think about them and prepare accordingly. But for this film, Pratik and I were very clear about what we wanted from the beginning. We discussed the direction and characters extensively, so we did not face many problems while shooting.

Q. If you had to describe 'C/O A Journey' to the audience, what would you say?

Bonny Sengupta: It is an ordinary story that might come across as extraordinary. We have different ages, characters and professional backgrounds coming together, so I think people will be able to relate to them. The characters are not over-the-top; they are very relatable. People are used to seeing action, thrill and other elements in films, but at the heart of this film is a simple and emotional story. It is something everyone can watch and enjoy.

Darshana Banik: For many years, it was said that the Bengali film industry was making films mostly based in Kolkata and centred around urban stories. It was not really telling the stories of people from villages. This film is about both village and city. It is about a boy who comes from a village to Kolkata with his dreams. The city has been romanticised a lot, but the film also shows that people from Kolkata who may initially appear rude still have humanity in them.