Ki Kore Toke Bolbo: A mature love story, perfect for V-Day

They starred in Ravi Kinagi’s Jamai 420 in 2015 but weren’t paired opposite each other. Now, they star as a couple in Ki Kore Toke Bolbo, a fitting Valentine’s Day release.

Bengali actors Ankush and Mimi Chakraborty have just finished shooting for a romantic film, Ki Kore Toke Bolbo. However, it’s difficult to gauge their chemistry when we meet them, as they are constantly pulling each other’s legs and fighting. “Our pairing can be compared to Tom and Jerry,” laughs Mimi. After a fun photo shoot, we sit down for a chat with the actors. Excerpts:

Bengali actors Ankush and Mimi Chakraborty starred in Ravi Kinagi’s Jamai 420 (2015) where they have a number of scenes together, but weren’t pair opposite each other, unlike Ki Kore Toke Bolbo.(Samir Jana)

You two worked together in Ravi Kinagi’s Jamai 420 (2015) but this is the first time you have been paired opposite each other in Ki Kore Toke Bolbo.

Ankush: In Jamai 420, we were not romancing each other but we had maximum scenes together. However, this time we have been paired opposite each other. Ki Kore Toke Bolbo is a matured love story and a perfect film to release on Valentine’s Day. In this film, the lovebirds don’t know how to confess their love.

Mimi: When two actors are paired together on the screen for the first time, both worry about the chemistry. But since we are good friends, we were not worried. I have known Ankush for a while now and I know how he will react in a particular scene. And it’s the same for him too.

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Ki Kore Toke Bolbo, starring actors Ankush and Mimi Chakraborty, releases on February 12. (Samir Jana)

During the photo shoot with us, you two were constantly fighting and pulling each other’s legs. Did the same happen during the film’s shooting too?

Ankush: Since both of us are in the industry for some time now, we could help each other with the scenes. But when we were not shooting, it was almost a riot on the set. We two either used to chat or constantly pull each other’s legs. Raviji (director Ravi Kinagi) is a strict disciplinarian and he used to make us sit separately.

Mimi: We are like Tom and Jerry. For the first two days, we used to constantly fight on the set. Raviji, who is like a school principal on the set, noticed it. From the third day, we were allotted different seats, far away from each other.

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Your Valentine’s Day release, Ki Kore Toke Bolbo clashes with the release of two Bollywood films, Fitoor and Sanam Re.

Mimi: I don’t think that will affect us. Har Har Byomkesh’s released clashed with Dilwale and Bajirao Mastani. There’s a set audience for Bengali films and they will watch the film even if there are multiple Bollywood releases.

Ankush: Even if one of the Khans of Bollywood have a release alongside a Bengali film, it won’t affect. There are centres such as Krishnanagar and Memari where there is a dedicated audience base for Bengali films. Multiplexes are occupied by Bollywood films and we don’t get too many shows if a Bengali film releases alongside a Bollywood film. But we have seen that when a film of Srjijit Mukherji, Kaushik Ganguly or Shibopr-osad Mukhopadhyay releases in a multiplex, they make money.

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The last few years haven’t been good for commercial Bengali films.

Ankush: I won’t say the picture is rosy. There’s no consistency in the releases and the box office numbers of these films. Maybe, one year a few potboilers mint money, but the very next year, they get whitewashed. We haven’t seen a blockbuster in a while. If we can make films like the ones Imtiaz Ali makes, which have ingredients of both commercial films and also have sensible plots, then it will be good for the industry. However, we continuously need to make films.

Watch the trailer of Ki Kore Toke Bolbo here:

Paulo Coelho said all love stories are the same.

Ankush: Love stories never die. Even in today’s digital world, we love watching a boy going down on his knees and proposing a girl. So, what matters is how you present a film. Most love stories have a happy ending with the lovers meeting but the ending needs to made interesting.

Mimi: I won’t say our film is different. It’s about expressing love. There are romantic films, where the lovebirds get married in the end. But our film begins with a marriage sequence and how the groom and bride fall in love.

Doesn’t the premise of Ki Kore Toke Bolbo resemble Shudhu Tomari Jonno, where Mimi, you played a pivotal role?

Mimi: Yes, most people would say the same. Even while reading the script I felt that the storyline is quite similar to that of Shudhu Tomari Jonno. But it’s a different film and the treatment has been different.

Do you like watching love stories?

Ankush: Yes, today, we express our feelings on Whatsapp and Facebook. So, I feel with time, the simplicity of love is somewhat getting lost. We don’t really have time to think and mourn about our last break up. We believe in moving on.

Mimi: I agree

Ankush: Today, we have digital romance. In earlier days, we used to shy away from confessing our love. Today we can readily accept a proposal or negate it on Whatsapp. I love watching romantic films.

FAVOURITE ROMANTIC FILM

Ankush: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Jab We Met.

Mimi: P.S. I Love You is my all-time favourite. I know all the dialogues. Every time I watch the film, I cry. I also like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

FAVOURITE ROMANTIC COUPLE

Ankush: Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. Expectations soar every time they come on screen.

Mimi: Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone

IF YOU ARE GIVEN A CHANCE TO ROMANCE A BOLLYWOOD ACTOR, WHO WOULD THAT BE?

Ankush: Anushka Sharma

Mimi: Ranveer Singh

YOU LIKE ANUSHKA SHARMA EVEN AFTER HER LIP JOB?

Ankush: I am always asked this question but I like her.