I was rehearsing for a show when I got a call from Vinodji's (Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the film's producer) office. I jumped! He came on the line and said there was a character in his movie I would have to play; nobody else could do it.
I went to (director) Pradeep Sarkar's office. They discussed my character with me, and I just couldn't say no.
I haven't read Parineeta (by Sarat Chandra Chatterjee) nor have I watched the older Parineeta films.
Working with Pradeepda is an education. He is such a disciplined, well-planned, aesthetic director. It has been unlike any of my experiences with any of my directors.
I have worked with quite a few people and many first-time directors but Pradeepda doesn't come across as a first-timer at all.