After a long wait, Ek Badnaam Aashram Season 3 Part 2, was finally released last week, on February 27. The response this time was quite positive as a lot of drama ensues in the new season. Chandan Roy Sanyal, who stars in the show as Bhopa Swami, spoke exclusively with Bollywood Hungama about the response, his journey and a lot more.
EXCLUSIVE: Chandan Roy Sanyal over the moon with response to Ek Badnaam Aashram Season 3 Part 2: “My female following is on the rise; they were surprised to see Bhopa’s ROMANTIC side”; bats for re-release of Kaminey, Jab Harry Met Sejal
Ek Badnaam Aashram Season 3 Part 2 ends on a superb note. How has been the feedback?
It is incredible. People have been messaging me constantly. I haven’t had such a reception for a while now. It’s like a mass hysteria! On Instagram, every minute, somebody or the other is messaging me and informing me how much they liked it. So many women have enjoyed the show. My female fan following is on the rise! They were pleasantly surprised to see the softer and romantic side of Bhopa; they were also blown by it. I never expected such a reception (from women)!
In the flashback portion, we see Bhopa having thick sidelocks. How was that look finalized?
It was the time when we had finished shooting for the present-day scenes. When Prakash ji (director Prakash Jha) told me about shooting the flashback, I suggested that I could grow my sideburns as it would look retro. He wanted to have a look at it. I grew my sideburns and showed it to him. He liked it a lot.
Somehow, it reminded me of Sanjay Dutt’s sidelocks in Musafir (2004)…
(Laughs) Actually, I was inspired by John Lennon’s look.
Will there be a Season 4?
I also hope that there’s a Season 4 not just because the audience wants it but also because I enjoy shooting for it and working with Bobby Deol, Aaditi Pohankar, Sachin Shroff, Darshan Kumaar, etc. Thanks to Prakash ji, we came together and became thick friends. And to answer your question, it depends on the audience. If the audience gives good feedback and gives us huge viewership, then I am sure Amazon MX Player will take notice of it (and give the go-ahead for the next season).
Monty became Baba Nirala after usurping the throne at the Aashram. Now that you are the head, will you be called Baba Bhopa or will you have a different name?
(Laughs) I don’t know. It all depends on the writers ki woh mujhe kya banana chahte hai. When I read the script of Season 3, I was stunned. I was also curious to see the reaction of the people. Hence, I myself am looking forward to knowing that if Season 4 is made, what will happen to Bhopa, Baba and Pammi.
People have complained that the last episode moves at a razor-sharp speed. The pacing was not consistent as compared to the rest of the episodes. Was the last episode cut or this is how it was intended to be?
I don’t remember actually. Prakash ji will be the right person to answer this question.
You were the surprise package of Kaminey (2009) and your bond with Shahid Kapoor is memorable. Would you like if it re-releases?
Yes, and I would love to see how today’s audience reacts to Kaminey should it re-release. Then, there was no social media. Even today, when nightclubs in different parts of the world play ‘Dhan Te Nan’, people send me videos of it (smiles). Interestingly, many are not aware who played the role of Mikhail. Some people then realize, ‘Acha yeh Mikhail wohi hai jo Bhopa Swami bana hai. Oh My God’! It gives me immense happiness that my career has been through such different phases and played such diverse roles. Tomorrow, if I shave and wear shorts and banyan, nobody will recognize me!
Yes. I think its songs were damn good. Apart from Jab Harry Met Sejal, even Jazbaa (2015) can re-release and also FALTU (2011) can re-release. Many of such films should be back in cinemas and it would be great as people will be able to see more of my work.
What’s the status of your directorial venture Suzie Q?
It is in the final stage of post-production. By mid-2025, it’ll be released. It’ll be a new chapter of my life. Many are wondering, ‘Have I given up acting to get into direction’. Lekin aisa kuch bhi nahin hai. I got the idea for this story and I decided to make it. I also made another film called The Playback Singer which will be released after Suzie Q. It’s completely different from the former. While Suzie Q is a psychological, dark horror comedy, The Playback Singer is a musical drama set in Jamshedpur in the 90s.
Also Read: Chandan Roy Sanyal on Mahakumbh stampede: “Can’t imagine what the families went through”
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