Actor Chandan Roy, who gained popularity with the role of the simpleton Vikas in Panchayat, plays a cab driver desperate to make money by any means in the dark comedy-thriller short Aakhri Ride. In the film, there is a sort of reunion between Chandan and Panchayat’s Prahlad cha (Faisal Malik) as the latter plays a character (who is only heard over the phone) suggesting Chandan’s Aman all the wrong ways to make a quick buck. The contrast is entertaining.
We spoke to Chandan about what made him interested in the short, working with Faisal Malik again, and where does Aman’s character stand in his filmography.
Excerpts:
What was the factor that made you say yes to the film?
There were two major factors. First was that I really enjoyed the narration the directors Vijesh and Yashoda gave me for the film. It grabbed me and I liked how they had beautifully portrayed the little details. The second thing was that Anurag Kashyap’s name was associated with the project. It felt like a good space to work in. The character felt like somebody I would remember for long and I was also getting the opportunity to work with such talents.
Just like he does in Panchayat, in a way Prahlad cha (Faisal Malik) again comes in aid of Vikas albeit in a different story. How do you see this collaboration with him?
I have been working with Faisal sir for the past seven to eight years and more than a co-actor, he is like my elder brother. In Panchayat his character Prahlad cha helps my Vikas monetarily, here too he is trying to do that albeit in a not-so-legal way. I think it is a nice, different way both of us have been presented.
This role makes you go through various emotions, from desperation to fear then grief, and ultimately happiness. How do you see it in your filmography?
What I liked about my role was the fact that through it I could tell stories of those people who come from small towns and reach Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta or Bangalore to drive rickshaws and cabs and somehow make ends meet. Every penny for them is valuable because they need it to buy new clothes for their families back home for Diwali or Chhath puja, or they need to pay for the education of their little siblings. I find myself very lucky that I am playing a character which can convey the pain, fear and desperation of all these people. This character is very important because it helps me show my range and gives me an opportunity to surprise people.
