After Hatyapuri, young actor Ayush Das again played Topshe in Sandip Rays Nayan Rahasya, the film which hit the theatres on May 10. In conversation with IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh, Ayush speaks on his journey as Topshey, guidance from Ray and how Indraneil Sengupta turned out to be Feluda even in real life
Q. You are Topshe for the second consecutive time. How does it feel?
A. I am very excited to be a part of the trio for the second time. I couldnt have asked for something better than playing Satyajit Rays character, Topshe, under the direction of Babu uncle (Sandip Ray). But yes, I havent expected to play Topshe in consecutive years. Nayan Rahasya was shot in 2023, exactly a year after Hatyapuri was shot and released. I feel lucky.
Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Q. Did you dream of playing Topshe while growing up?
A. Yes. I worked with Babu uncle in Jekhane Bhooter Bhoy but I felt like playing Topshe for the first time during Badshahi Angti. I was much younger then to be cast though. When I was selected by Babu uncle himself, it felt surreal. It was a lifetime achievement for me. No matter what project I do in future, I will cherish Feluda for a lifetime for getting my name associated with it.
Q. Did you follow any of the actors who played Topshe previously?
A. Since Siddhartha Chatterjee was the first one to play Topshe, it was a fresh face. Everyone who played Topshe including Saswata Chatterjee, Parambrata Chattopadhyay are way more senior to me. I just tried to follow Topshes innocence, which is the characters basic feature. Topshe blends innocence with smartness. I followed this combination. I was strictly told by Babu uncle not to watch any Feluda film prior to Hatyapuri and Nayan Rahasya. I have always reached out to Babu uncle for even the smallest of inputs to play Topshe.
Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS
Q. How much did your off-screen chemistry with Indraneil Sengupta help you to showcase Feluda-Topshe bonding?
A. A huge impact, honestly. I worked with Indraneil-da when I was a child. So Feluda films made my reunion with him. The onscreen Feluda-Topshe bonding was very existing on set when myself and Indra-da used to tease Rana uncle (Abhijit Guha) (laughs). We also used to discuss scenes together. Indra-da will forever remain my Feluda.
Q. Did you incorporate any of the qualities of Indraneil Sengupta in yourself?
A. Like Feluda, Indra-da is workout-freak. He is supremely fit. While we were shooting in Chennai, Indra-da was far from getting tired after some running scenes. It is something to learn. Much like Feluda, Indra-da is someone who is very calm and humorous. These are the reasons why Indra-da has turned out to be my Feluda in real life. I follow him a lot.
(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)
