Bengali actor Sauraseni Maitra plays an IB officer in Zee5 web series Shabash Feluda, a contemporary version of the detective franchise Feluda. In an interaction with IBNS correspondent Souvik Ghosh, Sauraseni speaks on the online backlash over the inclusion of a female character in the series based on Satyajit Ray's Gangtoke Gondogol...

Q. What was your initial reaction when you heard a woman character was included into Shabash Feluda?

A. I was extremely happy and afraid at the same time. I always used to miss featuring in a film or a series on Feluda, who is my favourite detective character. I thank Zee5 and Arindam-da for making my dream come true.

Earlier women were mostly cast for ornamental roles in films but now the situation is changing with the discussions on feminism and women empowerment taking place. A lot of women directors are coming up with women-centric films. I am sure if Satyajit Ray had made Feluda now, he would have also included a woman character who would work with Feluda in tandem to solve a mystery.

Q. Do you think the resistance to contemporisation is coming more since Feluda is close to the audience's heart?

A. No one has replaced the soul of Feluda rather enriched it. I would suggest people, who are criticising Shabash Feluda, to watch the series first. Feluda is equally close to our hearts so we won't wrongly portray the iconic character.

Q. Do you think the resistance to the introduction of a female character is a reflection of a patriarchal society?

A. I feel it everyday actually. But I think the change is coming. People are taking the risks of contemporising subjects like Feluda. I always welcome constructive criticisms but not a blind judgements.

Q. Do you think women are well represented in Bengali OTT as compared to works in other languages?

A. To be honest, Bengal is lagging behind. But I won't say there is no improvement. There have been filmmakers like Satyajit Ray, Ritu-da (Rituparno Ghosh), Arindam Sil, Srijit Mukherji have or are sketching beautiful women characters. Though we are lagging behind, our pace is improving

Q. How are you balancing your work pressure?

A. I am loving it. I am loving the constant hustle and my busy schedule. I don't want to waste a single day of my life. I just want to carry on with my work on good projects.

(Photography: Avishek Mitra/IBNS)