Indian actor and theatre personality Anirban Bhattacharya has expressed interest in joining Bangladesh’s film industry, saying he has already “applied” to work in the country.
Speaking in a recent interview with BBC Bangla, the actor discussed his artistic journey, cultural identity, language politics and admiration for Bangladeshi performers and filmmakers.
Anirban, who moved from Medinipur to Kolkata in 2004, reflected on how Bengali society has changed over the years. He said the social atmosphere during his early years in Kolkata felt calmer compared with today’s fast-moving and opinion-driven environment.
The actor also spoke about language and identity, saying many Bengalis appear to carry a sense of insecurity about speaking Bangla. According to him, people often hesitate while expressing themselves in their mother tongue.
Referring to Rabindranath Tagore’s novel ‘Ghore Baire’, Anirban said emotional extremism should not be confused with patriotism. He argued that genuine love for one’s country encourages respect rather than fanaticism.
Discussing his childhood ambitions, the actor said he once dreamt of becoming a footballer like many Bengali boys, although he admitted he did not possess exceptional talent in the sport.
Anirban described himself as someone driven more by curiosity and exploration than by ambition. Using a metaphor, he said he sees himself as a “trekker” rather than a person focused only on reaching the top.
Whether through acting, filmmaking or music, he said his creative work has always been motivated by passion instead of commercial competition. He added that Bangla language and theatre remain his strongest forms of self-expression.
The actor also commented on the increasing use of Hindi and English alongside Bangla in everyday speech. While he said he is not personally bothered by the mixture of languages, he expressed concern about deeper social causes behind the shift, including the decline of government schools and the growing dominance of Hindi and English in public life.
Anirban said he has little confidence in urban intellectual circles when it comes to preserving Bengali language and culture. In his view, rural and marginalised communities continue to protect the language more sincerely.
During the interview, the actor praised several Bangladeshi artistes, including Chanchal Chowdhury, Mosharraf Karim and Jaya Ahsan, saying he admires their performances.
He also revealed that shortly before the July uprising, he had received an offer to work in the country. Anirban said he is particularly interested in collaborating with filmmaker Nuhash Humayun and actress Nipun.
“I’ve applied to work in Bangladesh,” he said.
Although Tollywood remains his main professional base, the actor noted that strong storytelling and talented filmmakers continue to attract him towards Bangladesh’s entertainment industry.
Addressing concerns about declining interest in theatre among younger audiences, Anirban said he does not entirely agree with that view. However, he pointed to reduced financial support from India’s central government as a major challenge for theatre groups.
Apart from acting, Anirban’s band Hooliganism has recently gained attention among younger listeners.
Speaking about the song ‘Prithibita Bhalo Lokeder Noy’, he said it reflects the frustration and emotional struggles faced by unemployed youth in contemporary society.
