New actors like us end up leaving pieces of ourselves in the roles we play: Ritwik Bhowmik
Ritwik Bhowmik
, known for his roles in
Bandish Bandits
, The Whistleblower and
Maja Ma
, was recently in town for an exhibition just ahead of Poila Boishakh. Over a cup of bhanrer cha, he opened up about the roles that linger, the rhythms that drive him, and why his characters often end up revealing more about him than he's ready to admit.
'Playing Sagor was a cathartic experience'
Sagor, a dark, brooding character, from his latest web series didn't need much emotional prep – just raw, real emotion. 'We didn't overthink the emotions. They had to be close to us,' Ritwik said, adding, 'For me, it was all about channelling my own frustrations into him and it was cathartic in a way.' The physical transformation, though, took more work. 'It wasn't just about the darkness; it was how he carried it. The way he moved, sat, even held his rage – it was all different. But in the end, it was a release. I let go of things I didn't even realise I'd been holding onto.'
'Stage taught me how to become anyone'
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Ritwik revealed that his initial acting training happened on stage. 'Honestly, that's where the big transformation – from someone like a Radhe to someone like a Sagor – comes from. People keep asking how that switch happened. Well, stage prepares you for that,' he said, adding, 'In theatre, there are no limits; you can be an old man, a woman, a cloud – anything the imagination allows.
"You learn to shape-shift. And that kind of freedom really trains your mind and body to adapt,' said Ritwik
'The real legends treat every film like it's their first'
'I've had the chance to work with some legends – from Naseer sir to Madhuri ma'am, and now Bumbada. And one thing I've learnt from them is that every time they come on set, it's like their first day as an actor,' Ritwick said, adding, 'No matter if it's their 400th film, they bring the same passion, the same hunger. I don't know how they do it. I really hope 30-40 years down the line, I can hold on to the same energy. Honestly, this is the most special part of being in this phase of my career – getting to watch that kind of fire up close.'
'I am excited to keep pushing myself further'
For Ritwik, the jump from the disciplined Radhe in Bandish Bandits to the intense Sagor in his latest web series about politics in Bengal wasn't just about facing challenges; it was about embracing the opportunity to experiment. 'It's a privilege for actors to be given such a platform,' he said, adding, 'Working with creators like Neeraj Pandey and Anand Tiwari, who push boundaries, makes me feel incredibly fortunate. The experiments are working so far, touchwood, and I'm excited to keep pushing myself further.'
A still from Bandish Bandids
"
New actors
like us, driven to give their 200%, end up leaving pieces of ourselves in the roles we play. In turn, we take something from the character. We never walk away from the sets the same person", said Ritwik
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