Chaiti Ghoshal on her role in 22 yards

Mitali Ghosal's debut directorial venture 22 yards just had its trailer launched in Mumbai by the iconic cricketer Sourav Ganguly who has seen highs and lows of the game as much as the protagonist of film 'Barun Sobti' has. The most important female role is essayed by actor Chaiti Ghosal, who plays sister to young cricketer Amartya in the film. Here are the excerpts from an interview with Millennium Post:

Q. How did you land the role of Amartya's sister in this film?

The director Mitali wanted a Bengali actor who would be ale to speak Hindi, perhaps with a Bengali accent. Also, as I am be playing sister to Amartya, so the resemblance in looks was also an important criteria. Other than that, a female actor who was past the marriageable age, was the reason that the director chose me.

Q. How was it working in a film based on 'cricket'?

A. I was very comfortable since I grew up in a family where my brother played cricket quite seriously. I knew that cricket was a game of one ball and that could make or break everything. Also, I was a huge fan of Sourav Ganguly in those days and my day would be made when he scored runs and vice versa. My sister Mitali was a cricket journalist too.

Q. What was your process, in order to prepare for the role?

A. Mitali had lined up quite a few acting workshops for us. We also had to brush up our Hindi with a teacher. Plus, when Amartya used to go out and play, I had to go on field to learn the ropes. I have quite few scenes with Sobti, so I had to learn the technicalities of the game.

Q. How difficult was it to play a sister to your own son?

Ours is a theatre family. We are constantly used to juggling and swapping roles. besides the film depicts the elder sister as being quite a few years senior to the brother, as someone who almost brought him up. So it was not difficult…

Q. Share your experience of portraying a 'tough woman' in the film?

Usually, Bengali actors are cast in Hindi films as soft and shy women, but in this film I play a smart woman who speaks Hindi and who is argumentative. She throws quite a few challenges in the path of the hero where her brother's cricket is concerned.

Q. What are your future plans?

I'm working on another theatre project with 'Millennium Mams'. I'm also taking Ibsen's Doll's House to NAbC this year.