Sari is her most favourite outfit and her eyes shone like a kid in a candy store when Srabanti dropped by to check out Satya Paul’s Limited Festive Devi Collection at the Quest outlet on Sunday. The Piya Re actress chatted with t2 on her love of saris. 

First things first… who named you Gintu?

My dad named me Gintu! I was born in Amritsar. He saw me after a couple of days. He was in the army. I was very gori-chitti. So, he named me Gintu. There is no meaning as such… Gintu from ‘guinea’ may be… small. Bhalobashar naam. 

You were saying sari is your most favourite outfit…

I think girls look the most sexy and beautiful in a sari. 

How old were you when you first draped a sari?

I have been wearing saris since I was a kid. Ma taught me how to tie one. I would tie saris on my sisters as well. Aamar didi rao aamar kachhey sari portey ashto because I could drape well. 

Any favourite styles?

I like the traditional Bengali drape. 

What are we most likely to find in your sari wardrobe?

All kinds, really. During the Pujas, I mainly buy saris. Ma, baba, didi… they all gift me saris too. Wherever I go, I pick up saris. I was in Dhaka a few days back, I picked up Dhakai Jamdani from there. 

What are your favourite saris in your wardrobe?

I have loads. I have a lovely one from Kanchipuram. There are chiffons and Dhakai Jamdanis. A red Benarasi of mine is a favourite. I like cotton saris too. 

Do you have a favourite sari buying destination?

Calcutta has a lot of good sari shops. And if I am in Bangladesh, I of course buy Dhakais. I have them in purple, red, black, red-and-black, blue, yellow and white.

What kind of a look do you like with your saris?

I love the traditional look. Sometimes when I am wearing chiffons, I team it with a pendant, a watch and small earrings. During  Lakshmi Puja, I’ll pull out a laal perey shaada sari. Bhalo lagey aamar. 

Any faves from your screen outings?

I had worn a red georgette with a green border in Shikari. The blouse was very classy… a full-sleeved, collared blouse.   

What else do you love wearing?

I love dresses! Which girl doesn’t like clothes?! (Laughs) My favourite combination is white shirt with denims. I find it very classy. 

What else are you buying this Puja?

I have bought some ethnic wear like kurtis. Or, what is a lot in fashion right now… long skirts teamed with kurtis and dupatta… I am planning to buy some of these. 

What is the one colour you are loving at the moment?

I am loving blue, royal blue. 

What would we find in your make-up box?

Kajal, lipstick, blush-on toh pabei. If I am doing my own make-up, I just dab some compact on a light base, apply a bit of blush-on, kajal and lipstick. I am particular about my eyebrows and lips. Kothao geley lipstick kinboi!

Pictures: Pabitra Das