Why did you opt for Aaron and what’s your role in the movie?
It’s almost 18 years in Tollywood now, and I have become complacent as an artiste here. I wanted to get out of the comfort zone and do something challenging. While shooting for a friend’s short film in Mumbai, I got in touch with Onkar, the director of Aaron. I was so emotionally moved after reading the script that I convinced him to take me, though I didn’t know the language. The film is about the journey of a kid in search of his mother and I play the mother.
How fast did you learn Marathi?
It’s very important to know the language properly to emote well and it took me about two months to learn the language. Besides Marathi, I spoke in English and French for the movie.
The film has been appreciated in festivals including CKF International film festival.
It has travelled to lot of fests including London, San Francisco, Washington, Puducherry, Hyderabad and also picked up a few awards. The common reaction from the audience is that they could connect emotionally with the film.
You are hardly here in Kolkata? Is Mumbai your new home?
Not really. I shot for the Hindi film Kizie Aur Manny for two months in Jamshedpur and Ranchi. Then I completed a film with Kay Kay Menon and was back for Srijit Mukherji’s Shahjahan Regency. There’s been a lot of shuttling between Mumbai and Kolkata, actually.
How comfortable were you working with one of your former boyfriend Srijit Mukherji after a long while?
We are all professionals and it was fine. This is a role of a lifetime for me. I am playing an escort in Shahjahan Regency.
You have always acted in bold roles. How does it feel to be a trendsetter in Tollywood?
I didn’t do it consciously. For me, it’s important to make a mark as a performer. Looking good, being fashionable, getting hit sings or having a zero figure never mattered to me. I wanted the audience to remember my acting. My performance should make me sexy, hot and desirable.
What are the other projects you are working in?
I play the mother of an autistic girl in search of her pet cat Cosmos in Bengali movie Ki and Cosmos. I play the girl’s mother. There’s a 10-episode Hindi web series for Alt Balaji about medical college students. Also, there is Anik Dutta’s next, Bhobishyoter Bhoot, where I am the surprise package.
Who are you seeing nowadays?
There are too many of them right now. I don’t have the time to concentrate on one boyfriend. You need a lot of time and energy for that, which I don’t have currently.