Indian Idol needs Mamata’s help

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Saturday, 19 May 2012 10:46

Written by IMRAN AHMED SIDDIQUI, The Telegraph

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Prashant Tamang

New Delhi, May 18: Indian Idol Prashant Tamang wants to make a film on his days in Calcutta police, and he needs a little help from Mamata Banerjee for it.

No, she will not need to do a chief minister cameo, Prashant wants her permission — Mamata is also the state home minister — to make the film.

“I want to make a film on Calcutta police where I would play the lead role. The film will be based on my dream journey from an ordinary constable to a film star,” the 28-year-old from Tungsung village in Darjeeling told The Telegraph over phone from Nepal.

Prashant has not quit the police force. He has been on a no-work, no-pay special leave since 2007, the year he won Indian Idol.

“I want my colleagues in the force to be a part of the film as they were the ones who supported and encouraged me during my days of struggle. But for all this (to make the film), I need permission from Mamata Banerjee before going ahead with the plan,” he said.

“I was also posted at her house as part of a security team for some time,” he said. “She works for the poor people and I have a great respect for her.”

Prashant wants to shoot the film at the Bodyguard Lines, Calcutta police’s armed headquarters in Alipore, and the Police Training School on AJC Bose Road.

He was inducted in the reserve force in 2002. Later, he was put in the special action force and was part of a team guarding Mamata’s residence.

“The film would be a great way of paying my tribute to the force. I also need to inform my bosses in Calcutta police,” the 28-year-old said.

In the last five years, Prashant has found success in Nepali films. In 2009, he turned to acting in Gorkha Paltan. He was the hero and the film was a hit in Nepal. Last year, two films — Angaalo Yo Maya Ko (The Embrace of Love) and Kina Maya Ma (Why in love) — released back-to-back.

“I am a big fan of Shah Rukh Khan and KKR,” Prashant said. “It would be really lucky if I get an offer for playback singing in Hindi films. I am basically a singer who can also act.”

Prashant said he wanted to make the film because “the job (in Calcutta police) holds an important place in my heart and lot of sentiments and emotions are attached to it”.

“Life was not always a bed of roses for me as I was exposed to its harsh realities early. I quit my studies and took a job with Calcutta police in 2002 after the death of my father Madan Tamang, a traffic constable, in an accident,” he said.

Prashant said he has been living a dream since he won Indian Idol in September 2007, which got him a Rs 1-crore music contract with Sony.

“At times I cannot believe my luck. Whatever I have achieved is because of my hard work but credit also goes to my bosses and colleagues in the force who helped and supported me to chase my dreams,” he said.

Prashant is perhaps only the second person after actor Raj Kumar who was a policeman before making a career in showbiz.

“I will personally meet the chief minister and seek her permission (to make the film) and I hope she will agree,” Prashant said. “I do not know whether she would recognise me now,” he wondered.