Actress Koneenica Banerjee shot to fame with the Alpha Bangla tele-serial Ek Akaasher Niche that made her one of the most popular faces on the small screen. Its success was followed by her foray into movies ? first in Teen Ekke Teen, and then, opposite Saswato Chatterjee in Ravi Ojha?s Aabar Ashbo Phirey. Since then, there has been no looking back for this bubbly youngster with the girl-next-door looks, who is currently neck-deep in work, shooting for her third film Babumoshai ? that?s when she?s not busy signing a host of telefilms and other big-screen projects.

About six years younger, Koneenica?s kid sister Ritwika is already following in her footsteps. A first-year student of Philosophy honours, Ritwika has already worked in an Akash Bangla telefilm, Diya Jawley, by Raj Mukherjee. Koneenica may be flying high in her own career but ever the proud elder sister, she is quite confident that Ritwika will find her own audience given her talent and perseverance.

KONEENICA ON RITWIKA

Both Ritwika and I look really alike ? we could even pass off as twins. In fact, people often mistake her for me. It?s happened so many times that most others in that situation would probably have suffered from an identity crisis by now ? but not my sister. Ritwika amazes me by her maturity and the way she gracefully tackles such situations.

Ritwika?s innocence and simplicity are the qualities I really value in her, while her down-to-earth nature is another huge point in her favour as far as I?m concerned.

I am not really a party person and tend to avoid social gatherings because it gets too taxing given the kind of schedules we keep. But, despite that, I am extremely out-going and chatty. Ritwika, on the other hand, is a shy person, which is why it?s a bit difficult to take her to social events. It takes her a while to open up and engage in small talk with people. So I often end up doing all the talking, while my sister just stands there quietly next to me.

Again, she is perpetually regretting her decisions. For instance, when she goes to buy an outfit, she takes quite a while to decide which one to go for. Then, she comes back home and regrets either its colour or the cut or the design. I find this a bit irritating. This might be a small instance, but I feel that in the larger scheme of things, Ritwika needs to be more focused about her choices. Because of this, I often end up scolding her.

I remember when Ritwika was born, I just couldn?t stand her. The attention I used to receive from my parents and other relatives was now shared between us. I was so jealous of her that I used to bully and beat her up. But then, as she started growing up, I became very possessive about her. She was like my very own property; mine to do whatever I wished. But she was very obedient and would never complain to our mother or even cry. I also remember how she used to copy my every action when she was very young. If I lifted my hand, she would also do that; or if I moved my legs, she would follow suit.

There was this one incident that involved Ritwika that could have taken quite an ugly turn. Once, when our mother was having a bath, baby Ritwika got hungry and started crying. I sprang into action, by filling up my dirty toy feeding bottle with milk powder and water and fed that to my sister. And that too just after she had recovered from a bout of diarrhoea! The whole thing could have had really bad repercussions on a baby that small, but thankfully nothing happened.

When Ritwika and I were younger, we?d have terrible fights almost every day. But now, as we?ve grown older ? and wiser, I hope ? we just fight over clothes or silly things like who?s taking up more space on the bed. If we have nothing better to do, our favourite pastime is to tease our mom and basically, drive her up the wall.

RITWIKA ON KONEENICA

Though we were quite a few years apart in age, Koneenica and I grew up together in the true sense of the term. Yes, I do remember getting smacked by her once in a while, but she would also cuddle me soon after. Now we don?t fight any more but we do quarrel over clothes. However much we might shop, I always find her wardrobe more hip than mine and vice versa. So, we often end up wearing each other?s clothes. I am just a tiny bit taller than her, but otherwise we wear the same size, so it?s quite easy.

Even if we fight or Koneenica scolds me, she means the world to me. As our father lives outside Calcutta, I mostly go out with her. After she gets back from her shoots, and if I am free, we go to Inox to catch a film or to Cafe Coffee Day, or just munch on jhalmuri and phuchkas, followed by long drives.

Koneenica is very determined and never regrets her actions or decisions. I really admire her confidence. She is very caring, but tries not to show it. If she ever goes out to eat without us, she invariably brings food back for home. Again, when she went to Mumbai recently, she got me every single thing that she had got for herself.

But then, she trusts people very easily. I always keep telling her that she should know a person well enough before discussing her personal thoughts. She is one of those people who just can?t keep anything to themselves.

Because of our similarity in looks, many people mistake me for my sister and that sometimes makes me feel a little uncomfortable. But I really like it when she gets appreciation. She is, after all, a true friend, philosopher and guide to me.