The new release Kalki 2898 AD is breaking box office records in its first week itself. The mythological sci-fi from Nag Ashwin is the most expensive Indian film ever made and boasts of a stellar star cast, including Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone. And yet, another actor has managed to make their presence felt in the presence of these stalwarts – Bengali star Saswata Chatterjee.
Saswata Chatterjee’s role in Kalki 2898 AD
Set in the 29th century, Kalki 2898 AD is a dystopian tale with elements from the Mahabharat. Kamal Haasan (in an extended cameo) plays Supreme Yaskin, a tyrant who rules the Complex, the only place in the world with resources left. Chatterjee plays his military commander Manas, who serves as the primary antagonist of the film. The actor’s screen time and presence in the film have been noted with many critics praising his performance as well, particularly his clash with Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, and Shobana in the climax.
Saswata Chatterjee’s beginnings
Born to Bengali superstar Subhendu Chatterjee, Saswata was one of the more popular ‘star kids’ in the industry in the 90s. However, the actor says that his father’s name acted as a deterrent for makers. In an interview to ETimes, the actor stated that comparisons with his father made it difficult for him to get work and led to several rejections. While addressing nepotism, the actor said that star kids, too, have to prove themselves like anybody else.
Saswata Chatterjee’s breakthrough at the age of 42
The actor first got noticed with the Bengali TV show Kaalpurush in the late 90s but he was limited to only Bengali TV shows and films for over a decade. In 2012, Sujoy Ghosh gave him his Bollywood debut at the age of 42 in the Vidya Balan-starrer Kahaani. Chatterjee’s portrayal of the mild-mannered serial killer Bob Biswas got him nationwide fame and subsequent Bollywood roles in films like Jagga Jasoos, Dhaakad, and Crew, as well as the web series The Night Manager. He will be next seen in Anurag Basu’s Metro..In Dino, slated to release later this year.
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