Better late than never effort

I do not know about ‘turning-point’ because according to me,it should have come ages ago. However,I am very happy that at least now,my visual presence on the big and small screen is being prominently showcased. The three films,Charulata 2011,in which I portray the parallel character of Mandakini from Ray’s Charulata,the main protagonist in Zameen and the role of the human rights head in Macho Mastaana are very significant roles. Each of these characters carries all shades of the emotional palette. If you consider Charulata 2011 and look at it from the point of view of Ray’s Charulata,you will notice the finer nuances of this modernised and relocated version of Mandakini,I was asked to portray. I had to express the pain of being childless because my husband cannot afford a child. I had to express the tragedy of being placed in a situation of luxury and affluence when I am personally deprived of it all. I hope I have justified the faith,director Agnidev had placed in me.

Zameen places you as the central protagonist. Your comment?

Zameen gave me a lot of scope to enact a character that covers a long span of time and growth. I am a very young mother in love with her husband and dutiful towards her mother-in-law and son when the film begins. As the story unfolds,I lose my husband,see my son grow up into a successful young man and retire into a spiritually enriching life. The personality had inner sources of hidden strength and I loved playing it. I am grateful to the filmmakers for having chosen me for this role.

And what about Macho Mastaana?

I feel mine is the only character that comes second in importance to the hero Nawab. It is a strong cameo where I have been given to express strength and power. It gives me a new look also. I am happy that this mainstream masala film filled with action had space for a serious character.

You have had a long gap in your career. Was it difficult to take on from where you left off?

Yes,it was very difficult. Added to that was the fact that my public relations and networking is really very poor. In fact,I had never thought of coming back because I was doing my M.Sc. in Zoology with the intention of getting into the job market suited to my qualifications. I also had a job for some time. I had made my debut in 1992 in Tarun Majumdar’s Sajani Go Sajani. I then did Abhimane Anurage. Coming back was difficult but not impossible. I am not a very ambitious person. Nor am I adept at hard-selling myself. It is no longer possible for me to push myself at producer’s doors asking for work. I take it as it comes. I was virtually unseen and unheard between 2001 and 2005 with just a single mega-serial called Sonar Harin.

Are you embittered about the lack of proper recognition after your Special Jury Award at the National Awards for your performance in Sanghaat?

Yes,I am very sad that the film industry did not recognise the National Award though I happen to have been the youngest actress from Bengali cinema to have bagged the award in 1997. At that time,I had thought that it would give my career a big push but it did not. Even now,you will rarely find my name on the billboards of films in which I do character roles.

Which films are you now looking forward to?

I have two films,Antar,by a new director Shayantan and Anubhav being directed by Sekhar Das. As an actress,I believe that I must get into the character to essay it well and with conviction. But I must also go beyond the physical characteristics of the character to give it the intensity it demands,like the idol maker of Kumartuli who paints the eyes of the Goddess Durga to bring her to ‘life.’