On Monday evening, Tanuja walked into a room at The Park, flashing the infectious smile that has made her characters so charming and memorable. She’s in town for the promotions of her Bengali film, Shonar Pahar, also starring Parambrata Chattopadhyay and Jisshu Sengupta, that revolves around the growing distance between a mother and son. The actress plays Upama, who lives alone in an old house, in the June 8 film directed by Parambrata. “I love Calcutta. I feel at home here,” says Tanuja. A t2 chat... 

What are your Calcutta memories?

When I landed in Calcutta for the first time in 1962, I actually felt I had come home. I didn’t understand a word of Bengali. I didn’t know anyone in Calcutta. But it was very strange…  it was like I knew the way from the airport to The Oberoi Grand. I don't know how. So I guess I have some past life over here!

Do you like visiting certain places when you are in Calcutta?

No, I am not that kind of a person. There is no specific place I want to go to. 

Do you enjoy doing film promotions?

Very boring. In those days we didn’t have promotions. The publicist used to do publicity… posters would go up, the trailer would be shown. End of story. We didn’t have to go and do anything. That was not our job. Now, it is so different. It has become much more commercialised. There is no personal feeling involved at all. In those days the film industry was like a family. We were human beings interacting with each other. Now, everything is so digital. People don’t have time for people any more. Being human is so important. If I find a negative vibe, I will not talk. I will walk away. 

What’s your take on social media?

I am not on social media. I have an email address. I have WhatsApp, which is boring. I think I am gonna go off WhatsApp because they send me the stupidest of messages. Like, ‘Hello! Good morning.’ Why? I am not going to say good morning to you. And to delete it is such a pain in the ass. I tell all my friends not to send me good morning messages. Every morning is a good one. I hope the same for you, forever. They send things like, ‘Have a nice Sunday!’ How stupid can they get? Where are their brains, man?

Do you reply?

I delete. And if they think I am boring it is their problem. Not mine. And then they send these weird videos which make no sense. I use my phone to make a couple of calls. Whoever I speak to know that I’ll speak for exactly  three minutes. Not even for three minutes. I’ll say what I want to say, and after that I’ll cut off. If you don’t understand, that’s your problem. Not mine. With relations of course you have to talk. My life is personal. It is private. I do not want anyone interfering with my life. 

Have you done interviews over phone?

I have, but I don’t like it. I get bored. How do I know who the other person is? Better to stay away. I won’t pick up a call unless I recognise the number. 

What do you tell unknown people who walk up to you to take selfies?

If they ask me nicely, then it’s fine. People are people and for them I am a celebrity. So it’s okay. A smile doesn’t cost me anything. 

Have you taken a selfie with anyone?

Me?! With my phone? I don’t even know how to do it. It’ll probably go out of focus. I was sitting in the airport lounge, and a couple of people, who were standing in front, started staring. I felt their stare. So I looked up and they told me that they are great fans. They said that they would like to take a selfie with me. I told them that I was not getting up. So they came around me. And finally I realised they can’t take a selfie since there’s two of them on either side of me. So they called someone else to take a picture! Why the hell did they not use their brain in the first place! Nice people.     

Do you watch movies? 

I got Netflix. 

Do you have faves?

After I’ve seen them, end of story. It’s in the past. Why do I want to remember them? And I am eclectic. I like all kinds, from comedy, drama to spy thrillers. 

Do you go to the theatres?

No. They smell. 

Do you go for premieres?

I don’t go. Unless a very dear friend has made the film.  

Have you seen the trailer of Shonar Pahar?

It’s interesting! I would like to go and see the movie. Because it’s got that little bit of mystery about it... you want to know what it’s about... like Bela Sheshe.

You liked it?

I loved it. I loved the concept. You have lived this (marital) life for so many years, and now you want to go away?! Hello! How selfish can you be man? She (the wife in Bela Sheshe, played by Swatilekha Sengupta) has devoted her whole life to you and you want to go away?!

Are you in touch with Soumitra Chatterjee?

Yeah yeah, he is my friend. We talk to each other once in a while. 

Why did you agree to do Shonar Pahar?

I liked the script. I could visualise it. I am very happy that I met Parambrata. I finally found someone I could talk to on a one-to-one basis. He is a director with a vision and he is able to convey that vision to the actor. 

We, as a team of actors, all saw the same vision. And then he tells you specific things he wants. He allows you to express first, and then he says, ‘Can you do it this way?’ So he does it both ways. And then he chooses. That’s great. Jisshu was excellent. Probably there is a soul connection. 

I enjoyed the shooting experience in Calcutta. It was winter. I went to Sikkim for the first time. It was absolutely beautiful. The people there are happy and peaceful. 

How was the little kid Sreejata to act with?

He just went on and on and on and on. One day I asked him, do you ever stop talking, and he asked me why?! Then he asks me if my grandson asks me questions. He’s like a journalist, asking me what questions my grandson asks me. And he wants to meet him. I told him that he doesn’t speak Bengali, and to that he asks me why doesn’t he speak in Bengali. He just stumped me.

I became a child with him. That was amazing. The children of this generation are so bright. They have come with foreknowledge. He has taken my address and phone number. He loves dogs, and he was so thrilled to know that I have six dogs. On the sets, he went and spoke to everybody. He knew more about the camera than the cameraman did! 

What is the criterion for you to do Bengali films?

The story and the script. I have worked a long time in this film industry. And I enjoyed my Bengali films much more than the Bollywood ones... because there was a story and a subject. The characters just flowed. Though some of the later Bengali films didn’t live up to the mark. 

You did A Death in the Gunj...

Konkona (Sensharma) is a brilliant director. When she was narrating the script, I could visualise the entire film. It was like living a dream. 

What are some of your fave Bengali movies that you have acted in?

I don’t remember, I don’t want to remember... it’s over. End of story. What’s the point? When I want to remember them, I’ll remember them. Let it come normally. That memory is cherished.