Wouldn't be surprised if am here today because of Tagore: Victor Banerjee

Veteran actor Victor Banerjee, who has appeared in English, Hindi, Bengali and Assamese language films and worked with some of the best directors India has produced, says that he wouldn't be surprised if it is because of the great scholar Rabindranath Tagore that he is where he is today.

Victor is set to portray the role of Tagore from Argentinean journalist and writer Victoria Ocampo's perspective in the upcoming film "Thinking of Him".

Set to go on floors starting September 5, the cast and crew of the film was here on Monday to officially announce the making of the film.

Talking about the importance of Tagore to him, Victor told IANS: "His best novel was called 'Ghaire Bhaire' and our best filmmaker was Satyajit Ray who made it into a film and gave me the main lead to play. That is Tagore's biggest contribution to me so that is why I think he is a fabulous man because that is from where he opened my life."

"I wouldnt be surprised if it is because of him that I am this today. He is a great thinker and a huge social worker. He wrote much more on social reform than he wrote poetry. My look at the whole thing is many layered. Argentina has the same problems. There's is also a poor country. Tagore to me represents one of the best minds. Tagores are born once in a generation," he added.

"Thinking of Him" is a joint project of Johnsons-Suraj Films International, India and Caesar Production, Argentina.

Also featuring actors Raima Sen, Argentine actor Hector Bordoni and Eleonora Wexner, among others, the film is a tale of Tagore and Victoria, a woman whose impact made a drastic change in Tagore's life.

Asked what appealed to him the most whilst taking up the role, the "A Passage to India" actor shared that it was Victoria's mind that appealed as it was as crooked as his own.

"Victoria Ocampo is one of the most interesting women of 20th century. She was a terrific character and had plenty of lovers. Her main lover she kept a secret until she died and nobody knew. It was the best kept secret," the 69-year-old said.

"But she was the most flamboyant character and I have obviously heard about her before and we have some common friends. I loved her mind because it was as crooked as mine."

"To be able to investigate how she was looking at Tagore, her concept of Tagore is what was appealing to me. I am not essaying Tagore. I am going to be Tagore of her mind. I am working and investigating it and reading what she had written about Tagore," he added.

Directed by Argentine filmmaker Pablo Cesar, the film will be shot in West Bengal, Argentina and France.

--IANS

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