Paoli Dam is back with a bang this year in a dark, comical satire called Bibi Payra by Arjunn Dutta. This out-and-out commercial film is a cocktail of thriller, comedy, and relationship spiel starring an interesting mix of actors, including Paoli Dam, Swastika Mukherjee, Anindya Sengupta, Anirban Chakraborty, and Subrat Dutt. Ahead of the film’s release on April 10, we had a no-holds-barred chat with Paoli on the film, Tollywood, and her future projects. Excerpts.
What attracted you to Bibi Payra?
It’s a pro-feminist film and, of course, made by one of my favourite directors, Arjunn Dutta. We’ve actually done a Hindi film together during the pandemic called Biryani. But it hasn’t been released yet. So, technically, I would say it’s the second film with him, but the first release. Arjunn has been a friend for many, many years now, and we’ve been wanting to do something together. He wanted to cast me in something unusual, which I have not done before. Jhuma, the character I play in Bibi Payra, is so different, so empowering and so real, a character who hasn’t got anything in life but still has that strength in her to stand for herself. In today’s time, it’s so important that you stand for yourself, for people around you, for the community, and for every human being, every woman, I would say. Jhuma is someone I have not played before. I have also danced in an item number—it’s my second item number since the first was in Satish Kaushik’s film, Gang of Ghosts. Arjunn wanted to make a film, which hasn’t happened in Bengali so far. It’s around two female characters, with the other one being played by Swastika Mukherjee. I think we’ve come together on screen again after 10 years. The last film was Family Album, where we played a couple.
With each character, how do you rediscover yourself?
I think you keep finding a new you in the old you somehow. The perspective changes; you become more forgiving and more accepting. After a while, you don’t find flaws because imperfection is beauty. You realise that weakness can also become your strength, just like your vulnerabilities.
How vulnerable are you?
Extremely, and that’s what I tap when I act. Vulnerability is purity, and it needs to be preserved. Not everyone understands that. It’s not something put on. It’s not something fake. And it’s not something to be ashamed of.
What are the things you’re most vulnerable to in your personal life? What are your deepest, darkest fears?
So insecurity is something different, and vulnerability is something different. I have the fear of not finding a new me in me and getting bored of the old me. I’m not afraid of breaking the old mould. Rather, I would say I feel a wee bit scared of stagnancy. Accepting something new and something more challenging is something that is not scary at all for me.
How was your experience working on the film?
Arjunn is an actor’s director. He always goes for strong performers and is a team worker. He welcomes everyone’s advice but has a vision of his own. I think Arjunn himself is so welcoming to everyone. And it was a beautiful unit to work with. For a film to become special, everyone has to come together and give their best. And it was an intense film, so I was in my zone. Probably because I talk less and interact less; that’s what kept the peace intact. We had a lot of fun during the shoot.
Why are you staying away from web series of late?
They don’t have a budget. I mean, I can’t be selling my art cheap, right? I don’t do that.
I can’t be selling my art cheapPaoli
How is the budget constraint affecting the industry?
I think in the last one-and-a-half years, I’ve said no to multiple projects. That’s not just because of the budget, but also because of the script. Frankly speaking, we lack good writers in Bengali. There are a couple of emerging writers, and I hope things change. Also, shooting time is getting shorter by the hour. It’s coming down to 11 and even nine days. I don’t know how a performer would perform within that time frame like that. That’s why performances are getting compromised. For me, the content is important. My character is important, my pay scale is important, and my director and producer, of course, are important.
You’ve worked both in Bollywood and in Tollywood. What do you feel are the stark differences?
We lack an audience. Bengali is the fifth or sixth largest spoken language globally, but still we are lacking an audience.
You’ve been married for a few years now. How difficult is it to balance your work and family life?
For me, it has not changed much. I don’t think my husband also finds time for me. That’s the way it is going, probably. So, we are both busy in our own lives. But we try to make time for each other. And I would say in any relationship, there are highs and lows. And it’s very normal. But we put a lot of effort into the relationship, of course.
What are your fashion choices like?
I am a laid-back person. So, I like something which is comfortable. Saris have always been my favourite and that too, the handloom ones. I like organic fabric. Wherever I have travelled, I have collected saris from the local weavers, be it Assam silk, Benarasis, Sambalpuris, Pochampallis, Kanjivarams, or Paithanis. For me, denim and tees or shirts are comfort able. I like anti-fits like kurtas, pants in linen, cotton, muslin and mul-mul.
What’s your fitness routine?
Two years back, I used to work out like crazy. I was skinny. But over the years, I gradually put on a little bit of weight. I exercise four to five days a week, and I love walking and running.
What are your other projects that we can look forward to?
I might shoot Julie season 2, and there are a couple more about which I cannot share right now.
Are there any directors you still wish to work with?
Many actually. I haven’t worked with Aparna Sen yet. I would love to work with Indranil Roy Chowdhury, Anurag Kashyap, Imtiaz Ali, Vikramaditya Motwane; the list is endless.