Sushmita and Renee

SUSHMITA & CAL

Home and family…

My friends and family in Calcutta are the people I don't get to meet that often but they are the only people in the world who would meet me exactly the same way! They make me feel like I belong. People in Calcutta, in general, make me feel that way. I'm a probashi Bengali. I don't come here except for vacations and to meet my huge gang of relatives. They all tell me, "tokey ja korte hobe, korey aye - no restrictions". That's what I love.

Enduring memories…

I have to be selfish here. My most enduring memories have been personal. First, my buro dadu - he has always been the reason for my coming to Calcutta. Dadu had a black and white TV in those days when a TV was unheard of and do you know what he would do? Open all the windows so the entire colony could see TV… he spoilt us rotten!

I also have fond memories of my great-grand mother with her bifocal spectacles and a hunch. She would come to get us and take us to Gariahaat. Her idea of the best shopping was buying us saris… those yellow with maroon border saris. In fact, when I thought of Main Hoon Na, in which I wore saris right through, I thought of her. She always said I'd look good in one.

There are other memories… my father's younger brother Gopla kaku taking us to gorge on icecream near buro dadu's home in south Calcutta; buying mungphali from this guy who used to sit gaachtolla; my friends and cousins Mamuni, Bonti; four baby kittens by this cat who would always find our home and we would be the caretakers; swimming at Anderson Club…. Still more memories… when I came here to visit Mother Teresa. I'm blessed because she passed away the same year; coming for the Cricket Eden Garden World Cup, although everything went wrong! It was such a feeling to be here, so magnetic!

I remember my homecoming after winning Miss Universe. I came to my pishi's house and it was all done very quietly. Suddenly, I heard my name in chorus and there were hundreds of people outside on the road who were saying my name in unison. I was in my slip and chappals and my dad was worried about what would happen. But suddenly, I was like, forget everything, I'm going. This is my Calcutta. And in my awful little dress and oil in my hair I went to the terrace to say hello. It was a wonderful feeling. I said, "you know thakur, I've never felt this blessed"

One thing she loves about Calcutta…

I'm a little spiritual in this sense. Calcutta is the city of Kalibari and I'm a huge bhakt.

SUSHMITA & CINEMA

On Rani Laxmibai, her pet production…

The status is good. I've put it on the back burner because this is not a good time to make films and it's a big budget hit. I'm lucky I hadn't started it! What we've done is story-boarded it and locked it because I want to make it properly. Meanwhile, I'm signing other films.

On Dulha Mil Gaya… her next film with SRK

Main Hoon Na was 15 minutes of screen. Dulha Mil Gaya is my film. I've come straight to Calcutta from shooting in Mumbai. I play Shimmer. She's like a caricature, very over-the-top and very funny. It's an exciting film with Shah Rukh and Fardeen. It will be ready by March… the last four days of work is left.

What lies ahead …

Who knows! I've learnt to make plans but when they start changing, change with them. I'm producing two films, one with David Dhawan and one with Aziz. Karma, Confessions and Holi with Naomi Campbell and Do Knot Disturb with Govinda will be released soon.

SUSHMITA & MEN

One thing a man needs to do/have to interest her…

He has to have a good sense of humour. Someone who comes across as secure. If he can strike a good conversation, then Sushmita would be interested!

On Mudassar Aziz…

My life is an open book. But I have learnt to stop making announcements. One thing I can say is I am a person who has always been in love!

SUSHMITA & MOTHERHOOD

Life with Renee…

I've already forgotten what it's like not to be a mother. If it's not my daughter Renee, I'm busy mothering someone else! Renee is nine years old (Renee also told t2 her favourite colour was purple - which changes every month - and her favourite subject is games!) and she wants to be an actress, already! I keep telling her, 'Ma, it's a hard life! You have to do make-up for three hours.' She comes on location rarely but whenever she comes she watches everything. When I was a kid I wanted to be an astronaut and for most children, the choice keeps changing to engineer, doctor… but with Renee, she's wanted to be an actress form Day One. Other people who come to the set may say hello to me but it's Renee they leave a gift for!

Sushmita flanked by friends Rajat and Pinky Dalmia. Pictures by Aranya Sen

SUSH SNIPPETS

Barir naam

Titan (teetan ) or titu

Style statement

Is comfort. Comfortable is sexy.

Fave high-street designers

Gianfranco Ferre and Jean Paul Gaultier

Fave casual brands

Diesel, Armani and Miss Sixty

Closest friends in the industry

Salman Khan and Diya Mirza

Sush in the city

Day 1: On Thursday evening, Sush arrives in Calcutta. She arrives at Hushh in City Centre for a party hosted by good friend Rajat Dalmia, to bring in her father's birthday. Close friends and family of the Sens are present. It is a happy reunion as Raja, Sush's brother, their parents and Renee came together on the Italian resto-lounge rooftop. Dressed in a B&W zebra-pattern top, Sush is all smiles, signing autographs and posing for pictures with patrons who have dropped in for dinner.

Day 2: At 9am on Friday morning, Sushmita visits Kalibari. After darshan, she goes for lunch to Fort William for a party for her father with his colleagues. Then Sushmita dons a burkha, does a round of New Market, comes home to shower and is ready for dinner at Rajat Dalmia's house with family. Draped in a shawl and wearing a black high-neck top, the glam queen looks her best.

Day 3:On Saturday morning, Sushmita leaves the hotel to visit her father’s home in Southern Park with nine-year-old daughter Renee. Lunch is at Anderson Club and dinner is at the Grand poolside.

Day 4: Sushmita takes the morning Jet Airways flight to Bangkok for a fortnight-long vacation with Renee, Aziz and a few family members.