Mimi Chakraborty is back with a bang this time as the tough-as-nails, SP Burdwan Sanjukta Mitra in Raktabeej 2, directed by Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee. In the film, Mimi’s character, Sanjukta, plays a pivotal role in this high-stakes narrative. After her strong performance in Raktabeej, which was both a commercial and critical success, Mimi’s return promises a deeper and more layered exploration of her character. Fans are eager to see her embrace a more action-oriented role, a stark departure from many of her earlier on-screen personas. Raktabeej 2 has already built significant buzz as one of the most awaited Bengali films of 2025, and will release in theatres this Durga Puja. More than just an action thriller, Raktabeej 2 explores the emotional and cultural bond between the two Bengals and takes a bold stance against terrorism and divisiveness. A t2 chat...
How did you prep for the shoot of the song Chokher neele?
To do this, I needed a different kind of training... and I trained for three months. I followed a proper diet. I would work out every day. Here, I would like to thank my trainer, Vinit... he was my motivation. When you get the right guide, you also gain confidence. Team Windows encouraged me a lot. The experience of shooting the song was fascinating. We had a blast, though the process was extremely tough. The blue costume went very well with a line in the song, which is amazing. This is something that I have done for the first time (slipping into a two-piece for a film). It is always your hard work that puts you forward. Hard work has no substitute. But, while I was doing this, I didn’t realise it would be so difficult.
But there were more surprises in store...
Yes! Shibuda called and said, ‘Listen, it’s raining.’ But I said that I will do it. And I manifested it so hard. I was even ready to shoot in the rain. It was raining heavily... the day before the shoot. It took us five hours to reach our hotel from the airport. From there, we had to travel another five hours to reach the location of the song shoot. We went to sleep unsure of what would happen the next day.
What did you see when you woke up?
The sun was shining. It was a miracle. The beach was in the middle of a forest. I started with the yellow costume, and then we shot the sequence where I emerged from the water in a blue outfit. It started raining again once we wrapped up the shoot in the evening.
How did you reconnect with your character?
I could easily slip into my character. Of course, the people, my costume, and the locations helped me get into the headspace. The scale is huge this time. The directors are successfully exploring a new genre, which started with Raktabeej and then Bohurupi. Blending family values with thrilling elements, they have created a space which is intrinsically their own. The audience has celebrated and embraced these films. The story is amazing in Raktabeej 2; they have incorporated a lot of new elements here.
What was your takeaway from the success of Raktabeej two years ago?
The feedback was amazing. I loved my character... I got to do a lot of things that I really love. I just loved the climax and what I had to do there. People connected with my character and the dialogues, especially the line about calling me: “Sanjukta or Sanyukta”. I remember going for a hall visit and there the audience asked: “How do we address you? As Sanyukta or Sanjukta?” It felt great.
How do you look back at your career now? How do you look back at the time, say, around 12 years ago?
All my films were superhits. All the songs were superhits. It was a golden phase. The audience loved us. The appreciation just flowed... I miss the time when we grew up. We have so many good memories. Often, I want to go back to that time. There was a sense of innocence then.
Does acting give you the same kind of happiness now?
Yes, I love acting. A good script makes me happy. A good environment makes me happy.
Do you set goals for yourself?
I know what I have to achieve. I am an ambitious person. I have a lot more to achieve. I believe in working hard. The day I feel I can’t give one hundred per cent, I’ll leave it.
How was your recent trip to Italy?
I had a lovely time there with friends. We went to Rome, Venice, Sicily, Siena, Milan, Amalfi, Positano and Tuscany. It was a little cold in Tuscany.
You had been to Rome before...
Yes, for the shoot of Bangali Babu English Mem. But during the shoot, you don’t get time to soak in the sights and sounds. This time, I could explore properly. The history of the places intrigued me.
MIMI CHAKRABORTY IN RAKTABEEJ 2- BETWEEN GLAMOUR AND GRIT
Mimi Chakraborty has always carried with her the aura of a star. To many, she may appear as the quintessential diva, who is perfectly poised. But Raktabeej 2 offers a chance to look beyond that perception and discover an artiste who thrives on challenge, vulnerability, and sheer hard work. In the film, she plays a gritty cop who is far from infallible — a character with strength but also flaws, someone who can balance action with sensitivity, and glamour with gravitas. Behind the camera, too, her journey was filled with stories that reveal her personality — stories of friendships and mock rivalries, fears and triumphs, dedication and persistence. Here are some of the lesser-known anecdotes from the making of Raktabeej 2.
Friendships and camaraderie on set
Mimi is known to be loyal to those she cares about, often describing herself as “a friend’s friend and an enemy’s enemy.” On the sets of Raktabeej 2, she found herself most often in the company of Abir Chatterjee and Ankush Hazra. With Ankush, who also happens to be her neighbour, her relationship goes beyond co-acting. They share a warmth that comes alive in banter, jokes and moments of genuine care. Mimi has always been protective about him and during the shoot the two created an infectious energy — playful, supportive, and spirited.
With Abir, the equation was different. He is known for his quick wit and easy banter, and Mimi enjoyed matching his repartee. In the film, they share moments of romance, which she embraced with a kind of professional openness. Abir’slight-hearted remark to her — “You worked on yourself so much. But to romance me? What do I say to that?” — was an inside joke that reflected their comfort and mutual respect as actors.
A special introduction
Mimi has always believed that first impressions on screen matter deeply. For Raktabeej 2, she requested and eventually received a specially written introduction sequence. It was important to her that her character’s entry should be impactful, not just glamorous but also resonant with the persona of the fearless cop she was portraying. The result is an opening that combines attitude with authenticity — an entry that is certain to stay with audiences long after the film ends.
The bikini dream
Few know that Mimi had, early in her career, promised herself that she would one day wear a bikini on screen, when the right opportunity came along. Raktabeej 2 provided that moment. She decided to prepare herself rigorously, even though she was already known for her fitness. For two months, she dedicated herself to an even stricter regime — workouts that tested her endurance and a diet that required immense discipline.
Yet, the day of the shoot was far from easy. Mimi confessed that until she actually walked onto the solitary beach where the scene was being filmed, she was apprehensive. The environment, however — the professionalism of the Thai crew, the focused dedication of the team, and the quiet concentration of the setting — helped her shed her inhibition.
What was not widely known is the extent of her sacrifice for that perfect shot. She was on a water fast for nearly 48 hours and had not eaten a morsel till the shoot was done. The demand of the sequence, coupled with the harsh sun, left her lightheaded and even a little dizzy. Later, during a speedboat ride for the song, she struggled with nausea. But Mimi pushed through, delivering the performance with the poise and grace that the camera captured, even as she battled discomfort within.
Another layer of drama
Mimi’s dynamics with director Shiboprosad Mukherjee added another layer of drama behind the scenes. While the collaboration was professional and productive, it was not without its friction. Mimi often felt that the director was partial toward other actors and rushed her during crucial moments. She even complained, half-jokingly, that he “lacked empathy” when it came to her. With director Nandita Roy, however, it was more of a student-mentor relationship.
A scene with Nussrat Jahan
Mimi and Nussrat Jahan share a history of friendship. One scene, in particular, stood out: during a police raid sequence, Mimi’s character extends a hand to Nussrat’s character. The gesture, though scripted, resonated with an added poignancy.
Injuries and resolve
Action sequences often come with risks, and Mimi faced one of those risks firsthand. Despite wearing a harness during a daring stunt, she landed on the rough asphalt of the road. The accident left her shaken, but her spirit was not broken. The entire team rushed to her side, alarmed and concerned. The only exception, she later complained, was Shiboprosad, who was more preoccupied with ensuring the continuity of the shoot. It was a moment that tested her resilience. She chose to return to set and finish the sequence, proving her strength not just as an actress but as a professional committed to her craft.