It's important to open a dialogue with GTA and locals of Darjeeling: Badsha Maitra

Priyanka Dasgupta | TNN | Jun 14, 2017, KOLKATA: On Wednesday morning, actor Badsha Maitra landed in Kalimpong for the shooting of the serial 'Kusum Dola'. Contrary to the perception of tension having gripped the Hills, Maitra witnessed a very peaceful atmosphere.

In 'Kusum Dola', Maitra plays a character who had disappeared from public life. It is here in Kalimpong that his character resurfaces.

On being asked if he faced any problems while going to shoot in the Hills, Maitra answered in the negative. "We arrived in Siliguri on Tuesday and reached Kalimpong on Wednesday morning. In the afternoon, I proceeded to the location to begin shooting. It's a remote location that's very close to the military camp. Everything is normal here," he said.

As for the ongoing agitation in the Hills, Maitra wants to look at the holistic situation. The actor, who is known for his strong Leftist leanings, said he doesn't support GNLF's method of protest. "I am against any form of violence being used as a method for registering protest. I think, it is important for the state government to keep Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) in the loop while taking any decisions. I also feel it's important to open a dialogue with the locals. The locals don't necessarily mean only those subscribing to GNLF. There are others as well. We have to take them into confidence and understand their aspirations, crisis and issues regarding dignity and self-respect. Through actions, we need to prove that we are indeed trying to improve the condition," the actor added in between his shots.

After sundown, the shooting location shifted inside a hotel. On being asked to summarise what he thought about the first day's shoot, Maitra said, "The shooting experience was good. Everything was normal."

Hope, it stays that way too.