3 weeks ago
'Creativity Takes Backseat When Playing With Power': Jeet
A famous Bengali actor named Jeet went to a big ceremony where a new leader in West Bengal was sworn in.
Lots of people on the internet started guessing that he might want to join politics.
Jeet said he went to a similar ceremony in 2011 too, so it was nothing new.
He told a news channel that actors should focus on making films and let politicians do their own jobs.
He thinks that when people play with power, creativity takes a backseat.
Many Bengali actors have joined politics over the last 15 years, and some say they lost work because of their political views.
Jeet also talked about his new movie about a freedom fighter named Ananta Singh.
The movie is set in old Kolkata and required him to wear heavy makeup for two to three hours.
It comes out just before Independence Day, on the same day as two big Hindi films.
Jeet attended Suvendu Adhikari's oath-taking ceremony on May 9, triggering online speculation about his political leanings.
Jeet clarified he also attended Mamata Banerjee's oath-taking ceremony in 2011, and said he stays away from politics despite approaches from the TMC and BJP.
Jeet said art and politics are two different streams and that creativity takes a backseat when one plays with power.
His new film Keu Bole Biplobi Keu Bole Dakat, inspired by freedom fighter Ananta Singh, releases on the eve of Independence Day.
The film will clash at the box office with Sunny Deol's Batwara 1947 and Emraan Hashmi's Awarapan 2.
- Who
- Bengali actor Jeet, speaking to NDTV; also Suvendu Adhikari, Mamata Banerjee, director Pathikrit Basu, and freedom fighter Ananta Singh.
- What
- Jeet said art and politics should be separated, addressed speculation about his political stance, and discussed his new film Keu Bole Biplobi Keu Bole Dakat.
- Where
- West Bengal, with the film set against the backdrop of 1960s Kolkata.
- When
- Following May 9, when Suvendu Adhikari was sworn in as West Bengal's first BJP Chief Minister; the film releases on the eve of Independence Day.
- Why
- To clarify his decision to stay out of politics and to promote his upcoming period film.
Keep Art Separate From Politics
Actors Getting Politically Active
Should actors join politics?
Keep Art Separate From Politics
Jeet says art and politics are two different streams and should be separated; he stays away from politics even though both the TMC and the BJP approached him.
Actors Getting Politically Active
A large number of Bengali actors have joined active politics over the last 15 years, contesting elections and changing parties.
Does politicisation help the film industry?
Keep Art Separate From Politics
Jeet believes politicisation does not help the industry grow and that creativity takes a backseat when people play around with power.
Actors Getting Politically Active
Some actors allege they did not get work because of their political inclinations during the TMC regime, indicating political affiliation affects the industry.
Key facts
- Actor
- Jeet
- Upcoming film
- Keu Bole Biplobi Keu Bole Dakat (Some Say Revolutionary, Some Say Dacoit)
- Director
- Pathikrit Basu
- Film inspiration
- Ananta Singh, freedom fighter and close associate of Masterda Surya Sen
- Setting
- 1960s Kolkata; Jeet wears nine different looks
- Release timing
- Eve of Independence Day
- Box office clash
- Batwara 1947 (Sunny Deol) and Awarapan 2 (Emraan Hashmi)
- Political appearances
- Suvendu Adhikari oath ceremony (May 9) and Mamata Banerjee oath ceremony (2011)
Quotes
Bengali actor Jeet
Prominent Bengali film actor known for his roles and selective political involvement
“"I knew I had to do this film after learning about Ananta Singh. Within 30 minutes of listening to the script, I said yes to it. The toughest part of the shoot was the prosthetics. I had to keep my patience and wait for 2–3 hours after makeup."”
NDTV
“"It doesn't help. Art and politics are two different streams. They should be separated from each other. Whenever you are trying to tamper with power or play around with power, creativity takes a backseat."”
NDTV
Sources
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