Donning many hats

You are a successful commercial movie star today. From the time you started to now, how do you perceive the change in the portrayal of women in mainstream Bangla cinema?

The graph has fluctuated. Women who were a part of Bangla parallel cinema were flourishing because of the nature of their roles and characters. Even if they had 10 or 20 minutes of screen time, their characters were very prominent. During 2011-2012, the heroine's role in commercial films had been reduced to crying, standing in a corner even when a full-blown fight sequence was going on, or merely dancing. They did not have much to do.

I started my career with Gaaner Oparey, a woman-centric television drama. Then I did a film called Bojhena Shey Bojhena. By God's grace and the audience's love, my character Riya was widely acclaimed. Back then, a film was known by its directors and actors; we never referred to a film as an actress's film. With that film and my character, things changed. At the same time, I did Proloy. I went completely de-glam for my role as I played a rape victim.

After that, I did an out-and-out commercial film where I was again dancing! It is not like I don't enjoy doing that. But yes, I have experimented a lot through my career. I think I have been blessed with very good directors who understand me and the roles I can pull off.

Coming to Mon Jaane Na – you play Pari Begum, who is eventually forced into a dark world and takes to substance addiction. How did you enter her mind and slip into the character?

I always wanted to play a character like Pari. While watching Fashion, I was fascinated by the characters played by Kangana Ranaut and Priyanka Chopra. They delivered brilliant performances.

To play my character, I did a lot of homework. I read, and watched videos and movies to understand what drug addiction did to people. My very close friend was a victim of substance abuse. I talked to him too. Getting into my character's head space was difficult. But every actor must learn switching on and off.

What was the experience of being directed by Shagufta Rafique?

Shagufta has written some of the most sensitive scripts in Bollywood. She is a very sensitive person. As a human being, Shagufta understands the human mind really well. There were a few scenes in Mon Jaane Na that I was not comfortable with. I told her that I could not do them and she understood it. She understood that it would take a huge toll on my mental state. In that sense, we shared a comfort zone.

You are endorsing some national brands and have a strong presence on social media. Do you think these engagements are mandatory for actors to stay relevant?

There was a time when there was no social media and actors were beyond the reach of people. They could only see them on screens. Today, people can keep tabs on the activities of actors, stars and celebrities through Instagram and Facebook.

Let me share a personal experience: I had been sick for quite a long time. My PR person told me I had to update my Instagram account because my fans were messaging and inquiring about my health. That is pressure! I sometimes say to myself, 'Oh my God, I don't have any picture in my gallery. What do I post next? Now, I have to click a new pictures (Laughs)!' Pressure exists but I enjoy it quite a bit.

You have earlier expressed your interest towards cerebral commercial films. Is that still your priority?

I always tell everybody that 80 per cent of what Mimi Chakraborty is can be owed to commercial films. But commercial films have to be cerebral; the same old stories are not working anymore. Remakes can be great but they must be cerebral. You cannot just cut, copy and paste films. I am not going to be a part of such projects.

Now, at this time, I don't think that I fit into that space any more. But commercial movies are my first love. I, however, am trying to do different things. In fact, I was supposed to do Arindam Sil's Khela Jokhon. It is a woman-centric film where I would be playing a psychotic character. It is kind of a dream role that I always wanted to play. I am really excited about that film. But it is getting delayed for one reason or another.