Pratyush Plaban: Chasing Characters, Not Stardom

For many actors, the journey begins with a dream, and for Assamese actor Pratyush Plaban, it began much earlier- with storybooks, village theatre workshops and a fascination with cinema that has remained unchanged since childhood.

The actor, who drew attention for his portrayal of Tapan Das in the Assamese film Bhaimon Da, may have appeared on screen for only a brief period, but the performance was enough to make audiences take notice. Behind that performance lies years of preparation, observation and persistence.

A Childhood Shaped By Stories

Pratyush Plaban traces his love for acting back to his early childhood. Growing up, he was exposed to various creative activities through workshops organised by his mother. While singing and dancing never became lasting interests, theatre did.

His first experience on stage came during a children’s workshop where he performed in a play based on the Mahabharata. Looking back, he believes that was where the attraction towards acting truly began.

He credits his mother not only for encouraging him to participate in cultural activities but also for nurturing his imagination through stories.

In an era before smartphones and streaming platforms, evenings were often spent listening to tales from the Mahabharata, Ramayana and other literary works. Those stories left a lasting impression and helped shape his understanding of characters and storytelling.

The Challenge Of Choosing Acting

Like many young people from lower-middle-class families, Pratyush grew up with the familiar expectation of pursuing a stable profession.

He says parents are often not opposed to dreams themselves; they are worried about the uncertainty that accompanies them.

In a region where the entertainment industry remains relatively small and financially unpredictable, those concerns are understandable.

Yet his interest in acting continued to grow. School productions gave him confidence, and a turning point came during his higher secondary years when he participated in theatrical performances based on translations of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev’s Ankiya Naat.

Performances in cities such as Delhi and Mumbai brought appreciation from theatre enthusiasts and established personalities.

That encouragement convinced him that acting was worth pursuing seriously.

From Jamugurihat To Guwahati

The move from Jamugurihat to Guwahati marked the beginning of a new phase.

Unlike many actors who enter the profession through family connections or established networks, Pratyush had no roadmap. He had to discover opportunities on his own.

Even today, he refuses to describe himself as someone who has “made it”. According to him, the struggle continues.

Workshops conducted by theatre practitioners such as Ronald Hussain proved crucial. One such workshop eventually led to his first acting assignment.

Soon after the programme ended, he received a phone call informing him that he had been selected for a role in a television production.

For a young actor trying to establish himself, that moment felt transformative.

He believes auditions remain the most important avenue for newcomers. Unlike earlier times, when casting often depended heavily on personal connections, structured auditions are becoming more common in Assam, creating opportunities for actors without industry backgrounds.

Learning Through Television And Cinema

Pratyush’s first screen appearance came in a crime-investigation television programme on Rang TV. From there, he gradually moved into serials and eventually films.

He sees differences between the two mediums but believes the most important responsibility remains the same: serving the director’s vision.

Television often allows actors more time to explore scenes and performances, while films generally operate within tighter schedules. The learning process, he says, continues with every project.

Becoming Tapan Das

One of the defining moments of his career so far came with Bhaimon Da.

Interestingly, he initially believed he was being called for a television audition. Only later did he discover that the role was for a film.

The casting team noticed a resemblance between him and the veteran actor and asked whether he would be willing to alter his appearance for the part. He agreed and eventually secured the role.

Preparing for the character involved revisiting Tapan Das’ films and carefully studying his mannerisms, body language and screen presence.

Although the role was relatively small, Pratyush Plaban considers himself fortunate to have been part of a film that many believe will remain an important reference point in contemporary Assamese cinema.

Why Reading Matters

One theme repeatedly emerges whenever Pratyush Plaban speaks about acting: preparation.

He believes good acting requires more than memorising dialogue. Actors must read extensively, observe people and understand human behaviour.

His approach has been influenced by the work of Russian theatre practitioner Konstantin Stanislavski. In particular, he refers to the concept of the “magic if”—the exercise of imagining oneself in a character’s circumstances and asking, “What would I do in this situation?”

For him, acting begins with that process of understanding.

However, he argues that observation and listening are equally important. An actor must learn to pay attention to how people speak, pause, react and behave in everyday situations.

According to him, acting is often revealed in those silences rather than in dialogue alone.

The Problem With Assamese Cinema

Pratyush Plaban speaks candidly about Assamese cinema’s challenges.

He believes the industry sometimes becomes too focused on imitation rather than authenticity. Instead of attempting to recreate large-scale spectacles that demand budgets beyond reach, filmmakers should focus on local stories rooted in Assamese realities.

He points to Malayalam cinema as an example of how regional industries can thrive by drawing from their own cultural landscapes.

Assam, he argues, possesses an abundance of stories- both literary and contemporary- that can be adapted effectively even with limited resources.

Another issue, he says, is audience acceptance.

Viewers today have access to global cinema through streaming platforms. When audiences can watch world-class productions from across the globe for a modest monthly subscription, local cinema must compete on storytelling and quality.

At the same time, he feels audiences need to become more open to experimentation and criticism. Without that openness, filmmakers may hesitate to explore new ideas.

The Rise Of OTT Platforms

Pratyush views streaming platforms as a significant opportunity.

Certain stories that may struggle to attract theatrical audiences can find viewers online. OTT platforms provide flexibility and allow creators to experiment with genres and subjects that might not fit conventional commercial cinema.

He also believes Assam possesses enough literary and thriller material to sustain long-form series. Writers such as Ranju Hazarika, he feels, offer rich source material that deserves adaptation.

The Roles He Wants To Play

If given a choice, Pratyush Plaban would rather challenge himself than seek comfort.

He enjoys complex characters, particularly antagonists. Villainous roles, he says, often provide greater scope for exploration.

One performance that deeply influenced him was Naseeruddin Shah’s portrayal of a blind school principal in Sai Paranjpye‘s Sparsh. The character’s dignity, vulnerability and fierce self-respect left a lasting impression.

It remains one of the roles he would most love to attempt in some form during his career.

Dreams Beyond Assam

Though deeply connected to Assamese cinema, Pratyush hopes to eventually work beyond the state as well.

Like many actors of his generation, he grew up watching Hindi films. He has no fixed destination in mind, but he wants to test himself in larger industries through auditions and hard work.

For him, ambition is not about fame. It is about growth.

The Criticism That Stayed With Him

Not all feedback has been encouraging.

One criticism that hurt him came early in his career when someone suggested he did not possess the conventional appearance of a leading man.

The remark stayed with him.

Over time, however, he realised that acting is not about fitting a predetermined image. What matters is whether an actor can perform convincingly and earn a role through merit.

Ironically, one of the features he was teased about as a child—his curly hair—later helped him secure acting opportunities.

The Road Ahead

Pratyush Plaban does not speak like someone obsessed with celebrity. He speaks like a student of cinema.

Whether discussing Stanislavski, Malayalam films, Assamese literature or the importance of listening, he consistently returns to the same idea: improvement.

Coming from a small town without industry connections, he has built his journey through persistence, auditions and self-belief.

His advice to himself remains simple: work harder and he firmly believes that there is no shortcut, no guaranteed roadmap and no one pushing from behind.

There is only the next role, the next audition and the next opportunity to become better than before, he says.

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