Face Off with Riya Dev Varma

Riya’s debut into films has created a stir only because she is her mother’s daughter. After Suchitra and Moon Moon, is this the rise of the third Sen?We don’t know that yet. The earlier Sens’ failed to make a mark for their speech was laced with eastern syrup.

So what’s Riya doing about it?

Taking lessons in Hindi, of course. And also bracing herself with an armourie of acting and dance classes.n That serious about becoming an actress, then?"Yes, because being a sex symbol is rather outdated. Women today are doing so much more and I am looking forward to expressing all of it through my acting," she says. Obviously, she is not interested in moulding herself in her mother’s strip tease image.n So, she wants to be more like her grandmother?"She’s the only one I can aspire for, I guess. Although I haven’t seen many of her films." She hasn’t watched too many Hindi films, she says. But she has made up her mind that there aren’t any good contemporary actresses.

Therefore, the acting classes to put her on top of the line?"Actually they take away your individuality. You are expected to react in certain fixed ways to situations. But, on the other hand, I have gained confidence to face the camera," she feels. For one so cocky, you’d think stage fright is furthest from her mind.

Isn’t the name of the film weird, considering this is her launch pad?"It’s rather cute, I think," she defends. Love You… fell in Riya’s lap even as she was unprepared for it. She was invited by Aarti and Kailash Surendranath to audition for certain ad campaigns that they had in mind for her, and ended up signing her first big venture.n So, will this film launch a 1,000 ships? She’s not too optimistic about that. "Look at my height. I am just a little over five feet," she wails. Despite being vertically challenged, she has been offered other films though. But she is taking it one day at a time, letting her father do all the decision-making. "He’s cool," she says. Unlike her mother, who disapproves of her entry to films. Perhaps Moon Moon doesn’t like to be reminded that she is no longer a nymphet?

How important was getting away from Calcutta for her?"There’s nothing to do there. It’s too laidback. Ever since my vacations here since my childhood, I knew that I had to come back here. Everything is so professional in Mumbai," she feels. "But the people back home are more warm."

Since she is so enamoured of Mumbai’s night life, is she a wild party animal?"Not much at all. I am too busy with my acting classes and shoots," she says. But not that busy that she isn’t spotted at the Surendranath’s dos with co-star Amitabh Nanda looking rather cosy together.

Okay, so she doesn’t miss Calcutta but does she miss Bengali food?

"I hate fish. I only eat pork and prawns," she quips. For a thoroughbred Calcuttan, she’s rather disloyal to her culture.