My first time in IFFI Goa was for the film Moner Manush [based on the life of Bengali spiritual leader, philosopher, poet and reformer Lalon Fakir] where I played Jyotirindranath Tagore and now the team is there again for a film where I have played Rabindranath Tagore. It’s uncanny,” actor Priyanshu Chatterjee tells us over a video call. Rabindra Kabya Rahasya, a Bengali mystery film which weaves in details from the Nobel Laureate’s life straddling past and present, and features Bengali actors like Ritwick Chakraborty and Srabanti Chatterjee has been selected in the “Indian Panorama” section of the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) this year. It is also the only Bengali film among works selected from around the world nominated for the ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal, an award presented since 2015 to films promoting peace and inter-cultural dialogue.

Chatterjee remembers travelling to Kolkata for a look test where the team tested on him appearances from five-six different stages of the poet’s life, right from the age of 27 all the way through to 80. It was also the meeting with the director for a role which he describes as “symbolic rather than dialogue-heavy” that sealed the deal. “I was so impressed by him not just as a human being but also as a director because of his temperament. He gives you the space to play around with what’s available in the given circumstances and bring it to life.” Despite the burden of responsibility that comes with playing such an iconic character, “it was a challenge I could take on given that the team was so good. I would not have even thought about doing it [otherwise]. I’m grateful that it just fell into my lap.”