A passionate beginning: Gangster Returns

"I find romantic movies quite boring" - Apurbo 
While Gangster Returns is his first movie, Apurbo has claimed that the experience was not all that different when compared with working on television. Of course, cinema and TV are two different canvases altogether and Apurbo aptly kept that in mind during the shoot. Nevertheless, he felt that his job, essentially, has been the same: acting! "I played the character of Shaon in this film, and that was the job I had to get done," he explained. "I strived in doing just that."    

The fact that Gangster Returns is an action film sparked Apurbo's interest. He is always deemed as the romantic hero. "Whenever people hear a good romantic story, they first think that Apurbo would be the suitable hero for it - and I am very grateful to everyone for that," he said. "I always thought that if I ever do a movie, it would need to be something out of that territory - an action film." 

Gangster Returns, Apurbo thinks, is packed with ups and downs and twists and turns; audience are sure to remain hooked as the story unfolds. But he has his fingers crossed. "I don't want to raise expectations so much that audience will eventually become disappointed," he says, clamming up. 

Apurbo loves watching action, thriller and horror. "I am not really a big fan of romantic films," the star let out a secret. "I find romantic movies quite boring." 

When an actor 'ascends' onto the film industry, they often opt to focus just on cinema. But with Apurbo, things are different. The well celebrated TV star is not willing to give away the love and cooperation he got all these years from the TV people, be it the director, makeup artist, production boy, audience, etc. "I have immense respect and gratefulness towards them," Apurbo shared his feelings. "Therefore, my priority and focus remains on television." 

"I am not that much of a good actor" - Peya 
This marks Peya's third outing in films. She believes that Gangster Returns is a movie for all to enjoy. "It's not really made for one class or segment of people," she opined. "This mainstream flick is something that people from different walks of life can cherish."  

The fact that Apurbo agreed to do the movie gave Peya the push towards it. Very humbly, Peya explained how. She has always trusted the instincts and decision of talented artists.  "Be it the producer or director, the movie has been made by smart, educated people. I am still not experienced or knowledgeable enough that I will read a script and forecast its potential." 

Peya's main focus is on cinema. However, the model-turned-actor has done some roles in TV too. Why? "I am not that much of a good actor. I don't have a theatre background. I wanted to work in theatre so that I could learn from there. But truth be told, I couldn't manage time. So, the performances in those TV shows have been my learning lessons," Peya confessed. 

But a film is something larger than life, and if film actors do TV shows, the exclusiveness about them is lost. Isn't it? "Agreed, but I do only a selected few," she answered. 

"I am here to make changes for the better" - Saiful 
Gangster Returns is the first movie for Saiful as a producer. And even though he is a producer, he is not here for merely commercial reasons. "People are always complaining about the film industry and always discussing ways of improving it. I am here to make changes for the better," Saiful declared.     

Casting Apurbo seemed to be a logical decision, given the script, the hero's character and the actor's calibre. Meanwhile, casting Peya has a little twist behind it. There was actually another heroine, and Peya's role was initially a small one. But when the decision makers (producer, director, etc.) saw the rough cut, they felt that something was missing. Hence, alterations were made and at that point, Peya was replaced with the initial actor, and that was how Peya became the heroine of this film! "Not many people know this story!" Saiful said.

Interviewed by Rafi Hossain and narrated by Himadri