(Mouseover on the audio icon to listen to the excerpts of chat with Joy Sengupta)

guest50: You are in theatre for nearly 12 years, what changes have you seen?
joy_sengupta: More younger people are entering theater, it was our concern if the younger lot would be interested or not because of the existance of other mediums of entertainment. But its nice to see freshers entering theatre... They have their own groups and they also indulge in theatrical activities...

guest64: What are the qualities should an artiste posses?
joy_sengupta: Firstly, basic talent, you have to be born with it... Then they should be keen observers and thirdly sensitivity to people and situations around. An added advantage would be intelligence! 


guest50: How was it working in Hazar Chaurasi Ki Maa with Jaya Bachchan?
joy_sengupta: It was my first movie, so it is very dear to me. The fact that I was acting in the surroundings of stalwarts like Jayaji and Govind Nihalani, was itself a great experience. I was abely guided by them. Jayaji portrays and gives the feel of a mother, so it was easy to relate to her as a mother. She was affectionate, caring, sensitive and motherly figure to me. It was a comfortable set up and I loved it.  

guest87: Do you prefer acting in theatre or soaps?
joy_sengupta: Any day it's theatre! If you ask any theatre actor, he or she will give you the same answer... Theatre is an actor's medium and soap is a writer's medium. Any theatre person would vounch for the same. In theatre an actor can enact anyone, but in television there are lot of other factors, so one has to stick to their role only. The relation with the audience is dynamic in theatre. The live response keeps us cued to this medium.

guest50: Why did you quit Bhabhi serial?
joy_sengupta: It is not that I quit Bhabhi. It was a mutually agreed upon exit, as the story was changing its track. In soaps it happens frequently as the story changes overnight. Nobody is indispensable in TV, it is how the medium works. I am into various other mediums, so it was difficult to give undivided attention to a single show.

guest94: Why did you come to television? You should have continued in movies
joy_sengupta: I really didn't come to any medium as such, other than theatre. Other mediums just happend to me such as television happened before cinema. I not only did soaps, but also hosted various quiz shows, game shows and was also a film reviewer in a chat show. From then on all these three mediums are happening simultaneously in my life. I will continue my work in off beat cinema and theater

guest94: I have heard your hobbies are trekking, have you trekked in Himalayas?
joy_sengupta: Yes, from very young age I loved trekking. I did part of my schooling in Nepal so was initiated into trekking at very early in age. Mountains have always attracted me, so I genrally escape to mountains once in a while. I love it, I do it whenever time permitss. I have trekked Godavri, Nagarpot - 10,000 ft, Manokamna - 14000 ft high

guest94: How was the relation between you and Govind Nihalani during the shooting of Deham?
joy_sengupta: We share a very interesting relationship, very symbiotic. He chooses me for giving voice and life to a character, which he is fond of. I very dutifully do my homework and allow him to guide me. I call upon him for inputs and he gives me roles that suit me, as he thinks I can potray any image. Even after Deham we are in contact, he comes to watch my show and gives me inputs. He guides me and I allow him to.

guest112: Tell me more about your role in Mano ya na mano... How did you get this role?
joy_sengupta: I have a good relationship with Cine Vision, I have anchored their shows Surabhi and Maati way back. So I was approached to play this fictionous character - a brother wanting to get his sister married, against her wishes. And then is attached by the Monkeyman, whom the brother does not believe in

indya: For those who have just logged in... We are chatting with Joy Sengupta - he is on Mano ya na mano (STAR One) this friday - the monkeyman special!

guest112: Do you really believe in Monkeyman?
joy_sengupta: Frankly, it is an enigma. When I read the reports in newspapers, it was astounding. One couldn't help, but believe them. I think it's only a figment of imagination, but the puzzle is how come so many fell for it at once? Many claim to have seen it, but it has stopped now. It's still an enigma

guest81: You have a good voice. Do you do shows on Radio?
joy_sengupta: I have never worked on Radio shows, but had given voice over for ADs, documentaries and annimation films at the beginning of my career. I don't do it anymore.

guest129: Who is your mentor?
joy_sengupta: Actually quite a few... Late Safdar Hashmi - he truely made me believe that a good human can become good artist - he was murdered during a performance, I studied under Ibrahim Alkoni - one of the first directors of National School of Drama - one can call him as the father of modern drama. Govind Nihlani - I always wanted to work with him, as I was a big fan of his. It was sheer luck that my debut film was with him. Lilette Dubey - I have worked under her for 10 years! She has let me perform in many of her plays and I got to travel around the world for performences, which were critically aclaimed.

guest109: Is your wife an actor??
joy_sengupta: No she is not. She is in the corporate world, far removed from my idealistic, dream world. Thank God for that because she is a practical woman and she balances me.

guest74: Tell me one thing that you have, which others dont?
joy_sengupta: Very difficult... Everbody have something or the other what I have. I believe in honestly - as a human being and artistic, more people are taken by materialistic wants. Artistic and human honesty is becoming rare, I have it. Actually, very few of us do.

ramziiii: Hello sir, what are your future plans?
joy_sengupta: One cannot plan being an actor because you are dependent on various factors. Eveything depends on opportunity. At present I am working on a serial called Kanyadaan, which is directed by Vijay Tendulkar, a play called Sammy, which is going on from last year and we are still touring still. We are leaving for New Zeland and Australia in November. Then I'm working in two feature films called Dariya Kinare and another is a supernatural thriller. Recently, My Bengali film released and it has received critical acclaim. I also did a radio play for BBC, which will telecast next month.

guest64: You acted as Gandhiji in Lilette Dubey's play, did you find any changes in your personality after portraying the character?
joy_sengupta: Absolutely! What the man said is so true in time immemorial. He said ages ago that we can survive with basic needs, but man's greed has led to global warming and extinction of spicies. We can see that with little things we do we can create a huge diffence. He had also said that first we should get connected to our soul and not body, but just the opposite thing is happening in the world now. All are worried about their bodies. If we carefully understand what he said and follow it, then we will become better human beings and can make a huge difference to the world.

guest83: How important is dreaming for you? Do you dream a lot?
joy_sengupta: Oh yes, I was a day dreamer right from the start. That is probably the reason I come into the field, as I used to cut off from reality. I was not shaped for day to day relaties. And being in my profession, it's like dreaming every day! I think, along with dreaming one should also work towards making dreams come true.

guest142: How would you describe your life as an actor? What is your wife's take on you as an actor?
joy_sengupta: Life as an actor is interesting and forutnately or unfortunately I have been branded as an artistic actor, as opposed to entertaining actor. It is not true because I can do all kind of work. But I get a chance to do challenging roles, which are not dependent on commercial success. My wife thinks that my public relation skills are not so good and if an actor cannot publicise himself then he is a terrible actor. She also thinks that I am under-utilising my skills, as I am not marketing my self better. We have arguments on this many times, but I am what I am.

guest138: Critical acclaim or commercial success, which is important for you?
joy_sengupta: I have got enough critical acclaim, so now I need commercial success. If one had asked me this question 10 years back, I would have said critical acclaim because I believe in quality and not quantity. But now if it comes together then it's ideal.

indya: With that... Time to end indya chat. Thanks a lot Joy for joining us today - Was a real 'Joy' having you on chat. Before we leave, any special message for your fans?
joy_sengupta: Dream on.... It is important and makes you a better person. Also make them come true so that it not only benefits you but the world as such!  
indya: Any email id to get in touch with you?
joy_sengupta: enjoysengupta@yahoo.com
joy_sengupta: Thanks indya for this. It was a pleasure!
indya: Thanks Joy... All the best!
joy_sengupta: Bye
 
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