Acclaimed actor Jisshu Sengupta has opened up about a defining piece of advice from legendary filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh that fundamentally changed the way he approached his career. Known for his versatile performances across Bengali cinema, Hindi films, and digital platforms, Sengupta credited the celebrated director with helping him understand the true essence of acting and character selection.

A Question That Changed Everything

During a recent interview, Sengupta recalled a memorable conversation with Rituparno Ghosh that left a lasting impact on him. According to the actor, Ghosh posed a simple yet profound question: “Do you want to become a hero who is an actor, or an actor who is a hero?”

Without much thought, Sengupta replied that he wanted to be “an actor who is a hero.” Looking back, he believes that answer became the foundation of his professional journey and influenced many of the decisions he later made as an artist.

Learning to Look Beyond Hero Roles

Sengupta explained that Ghosh encouraged him to think beyond conventional leading-man characters and focus on the importance of the role within a story. The filmmaker emphasized that a true actor should be capable of playing a hero, villain, or any other character if it serves the narrative.

The advice pushed Sengupta to evaluate scripts differently and prioritize meaningful characters over traditional star-driven roles. As a result, he began exploring a wider variety of performances, including supporting and morally complex characters.

Embracing Grey and Complex Characters

The actor said stepping away from the limitations of stereotypical hero roles allowed him to grow creatively. According to Sengupta, heroes are often expected to fit a certain ideal image, which can restrict an actor’s ability to experiment.

By contrast, grey and layered characters provide greater opportunities for emotional depth and artistic expression. He noted that portraying flawed individuals has helped him better understand human nature and improve his craft.

Changing Face of Heroism in Cinema

Sengupta also highlighted how storytelling has evolved over the years. He observed that modern audiences increasingly embrace anti-heroes and morally ambiguous protagonists, a trend that was less common in earlier generations of cinema.

Today, he believes the definition of a hero has become more nuanced, allowing actors greater freedom to explore complex personalities on screen.

Focus on Meaningful Storytelling

Reflecting on his journey, Sengupta said his primary goal has always been to be a dedicated actor rather than simply a conventional hero. For him, the most important factor remains portraying characters that contribute meaningfully to the story.

The actor was recently seen in the web series “Brown,” alongside Karisma Kapoor and Surya Sharma, further showcasing his commitment to diverse and challenging roles.

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