“Comedy Is Always A Serious Topic”, Says Comedian Pragyan

“Comedy Is Always A Serious Topic”, Says Comedian Pragyan

There was a time when films relied on comic actors to tickle the funny bones of the audience. The trend in films has changed over the years and now you see lead actors performing comic scenes wherever required all through the film. However, things might be getting better for comic actors with the revival of this old trend in Ollywood. Because comedy films are having a better run at the box office these days.

Although Ollywood has had a long list of comedians to its credit, most of them have their own style of essaying such roles. The list includes actors Sarat Mohanty, Nari, Jairam Samal, Radha Panda, Runu, Mamina, Arabinda Sarangi, Hadu, Jeevan Panda, Debu Bramha, Salil Mitra, Braja Singh, Harihar Mohapatra and Papu Pam Pam. Well, there’s another name in the list now – Pragyan aka Pragyan Ranjan Khatua.

Hailing from Sahanajpur, Cuttack, Pragyan debuted in the Nisikant Dalabehera directorial ‘Salam Cinema’.  He has around 70 Odia films to his credit including ‘Idiot’, ‘Tu Je sei’, ‘Daha Balunga’, ‘Super Michua’, ‘Ishq Tu Hi Tu’, ‘Hela Mate Prema Jara’, ‘Gote Sua Gote Sari’ and the latest ‘Biju Babu’.

He is also very popular on small screen because of his comedy shows ‘Bheja Fry’, ‘Comedy on Demand’, ‘Mr. Nonsense’, etc. He also runs a successful theatre group called ‘Magic theatre’.

The 33 year old actor has two state awards, one for the show ‘Golmal’ and the other for the film ‘Ishq Tu Hi Tu’ to his credit. MyCityLinks had an exclusive interview with the actor. Presenting the excerpts.

Your Performance Was Much Appreciated In The Film ‘Biju Babu’. Can You Share Any Memorable Incident While Shooting The Film?

I was given much freedom to work in my own way during the shoot. We used to discuss how mindfully we can use the props to churn out comic angles. There was an artificial water fountain with a woman structure and I suggested a scene where I would be bathing  there. I remember the hard work involved in shooting the scene as I was covered in foam several times for it. We are glad that the scene turned out to be hilarious. Another memorable sequence was of the song ‘Oye Ramji’ where I was sitting almost at the top of a long Bamboo. I was actually very afraid of falling down, but thankfully I completed the shoot successfully (chuckles).

How Did You Become An Actor?

I used to watch the TV show ‘Chandrakanta’ on DD National when I was in the second or third grade. I’d take a piece of bamboo as my sword and sit on a wooden log pretending I am riding a horse. I also delivered dialogues from the show. My father was a Jatra director in our village. He first gave me a chance to act with him in a Gitinatya, where he played ‘Nanda Raja’ and I played ‘little Krishna’. My father admitted me in the Drama section in ‘Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalay’ after my matriculation.

Whom Do You Take As Your Idols?

As a child I refused to watch any film that did not star actors Jairam Samal and Nari. I was influenced by Hari aka Harihar Mohapatra’s performance in a serial ‘Sara Akash’, and copied him in a fancy dress program at our school. Hari bhai’s acting inspired me to go the same way.

Did You Face Any Problem During Your First hot?

Shankar Bhai aka Shankarsana Pradhan introduced me to the small screen through a daily comedy show ‘Bheja Fry’ on ‘Tarang TV’. I was never scared because the cameramen assured that if I can act, they will handle the camera part and I need not be worried about it.

Have you ever aspired to become the lead actor in a film?

There is no hard and strict rule for the term ‘Hero’ in films requiring him to perform action scenes or romantic numbers. I feel anyone can be a Hero in a film that including a negative character. It depends on the story. Every actor wants to play a lead role. But at the same time I feel like I should focus on things I have. I always try to give my best to the characters I play.

You have had marriages on the small and big screen. Would you prefer love marriage or an arranged one?

I have fallen in love a few times. But since I was nothing then, they all left me. I am glad that they are now calling me up to congratulate me for my success. I have planned nothing for my marriage; let’s wait and see what happens. I will think about it after my younger sister’s wedding.

What is the definition of Comedy according to you?

Comedy is always a serious topic. For instance, a man is getting ready to go to office and suddenly finds a bird poop on his shirt. That situation is serious for him but at the same time comic for the audience. I have focused on things which make me laugh and tried to work on those themes. Sometimes people can relate our scenes with their daily lives and their laughter becomes louder. Comedy doesn’t need any vulgarity, according to the ethics of my studies.

Can you share any memorable interaction with a fan?

There are many such incidents; some people even cry holding me tight. I remember once I was in Berhampur for a show, and there was a guy who was fan of mine. He just bent down to touch my legs and thereafter, the entire day he was with me, not letting any trouble to reach me. Later, I got to know that he had some anti-social connections and was released from jail a day before. I advised him to be good and work for people and he immediately replied that he would keep my advice for his entire life. That is something I can never forget.

You have worked with almost all lead actors of the industry. With whom do you have the best chemistry?

Although I share a very warm relationship with all my co-actors, but I feel my chemistry is best with Babushan. I have always learnt something from him. His involvement with the character and the script is spontaneous and that is something which is brilliant about him.

Are you interested to join politics, like many actors do these days?

I am ready to do campaigning for any party but not interested to join politics. I know what I am born for, so why should I give anything else an unnecessary try?

How do you get time for Theatre plays from your busy schedule?

Theatre is like my mother so I can never leave it. I will do theatre till the end of my life. We start our rehearsals at about 6:30am and end it by 7:30am. After that, we are free to do our own jobs.

What do you think about the decrease in Odia film audiences?

According to scientists, 5,000 people think the same thing at the same time. So sometimes a film might not be a  copy but appear too similar to another. It’s time to work hard to make our audience happy and bring them back to the theatres. With more and more young directors making films these days, we hope of an increase in Odia audiences and I feel it will happen soon.