‘It’s not important for regional actors to try Bollywood’

Many actors from the regional film industries have made a mark in Bollywood — Saswata Chatterjee in Jagga Jasoos and Kahaani (2012) and Dhanush in Raanjhana (2013) to name a few.

However, Babumoshai Bandookbaaz actor Bidita Bag (above), who has been part of multiple Bengali as well as Oriya films, feels that it is not mandatory for every regional film artist to make it big in Bollywood.

“It is not important for [all] regional actors to experience Bollywood. People from different parts of the country come and work here,” says Bidita. “However, every Bollywood film is like mini India. So, whatever an actor learns here, they take it to regional cinema and it benefits the industry,” she adds.

Bidita, who has been part of Bengali films such as Icche (2011), Kagojer Nouka (2013) and Oriya films such as Bhanauri — The Sinking Ship (2015), points out the difference between the two industries and Bollywood.

“Bengali films, which are high on content, are made on a small budget and less time, whereas Hindi films have bigger budgets. The problem with the Oriya film industry is that they make films on a small budget, but have long shooting hours,” she says.

Having worked in many serious films, Bidita now wants to shift genres.“I want to do commercial films. I wish to balance commercial and art films because that’s how you can build a fan following,” shares Bidita.