Noted actor Chanchal Chowdhury has charmed audiences with his brilliance on the stage, television, and the silver screen, portraying a wide range of characters over the years. He is set to play Sheikh Lutfar Rahman in "Bangabandhu", Shyam Benegal's forthcoming film on the Father of the Nation. It is a joint venture from Bangladesh and India. The film's shooting kicked off on January 21 in Mumbai. Chanchal Chowdhury went to Mumbai on January 19, and came back on February 5. He is also preparing for Amitabh Reza Chowdhury's "Munshigiri", a web project for Chorki. He will also star in ZEE5 Global's "Contract". In a recent chat with The Daily Star, the actor talks about shooting for the film on Bangabandhu and more.

How was your experience of shooting for the film on Bangabandhu in Mumbai?

It was great to work with such a professional and technically skilled team. I got to learn so much. I have wrapped up my Mumbai schedule, and I will be shooting again when the team comes to Bangladesh. Everyone in the team is really cooperative.

You will be playing the role of Sheikh Lutfar Rahman, Bangabandhu's father, between the ages of 40 and 60. What has been your biggest challenge in portraying him?

There are not enough documents available on Sheikh Lutfar Rahman. However, I was fortunate enough to have long conversations with our Prime Minister,  Sheikh Hasina, and Sheikh Rehana. They shared many things about their family, which was helpful for all of us.

Before leaving for Mumbai, several actors from the film, including you, went to meet the Prime Minister. How was the experience?

It was the experience of a lifetime. Listening to stories about Bangabandhu directly from the Prime Minister was a privilege. This project is not just a film— it is an emotion to us.

How would you describe Shyam Benegal as a person?

He is a true professional, and a humble gentleman. Although he is a senior filmmaker, he never depends on anyone for his own work. From the beginning of the day till the pack-up, he stays on the sets. He is a keen observer, who makes his actors rehearse every scene thoroughly.

Are there any memorable anecdotes from the Mumbai shoot that you would like to share with us?

Getting to work with Shyam Benegal is a special experience in itself, that too, on a biopic of Bangabandhu. But one memorable anecdote that comes to mind is that the entire unit wore matching t-shirts with "Bangabandhu" written on them during the shoot, which made me emotional.