Jisshu and Nilanjanaa Sengupta’s new home in Lake Gardens was a whirlwind of activity on Wednesday. Promotions were on in full swing for the Srijit Mukherji-directed Uma, releasing on June 1. Jisshu and his elder daughter Sara (who plays Uma) were caught up on the first floor of the five-storeyed house. Jisshu and Nilanjanaa’s younger daughter, Zara, and her toy car had taken over the ground floor, accompanied a little later by beagle Buddy Sengupta. Amidst all this, Srabanti and Sayantika arrived and after a hearty lunch, they were joined by Nilanjanaa for a chat with t2…     

This question is for the screen moms (played by Srabanti and Sayantika). What were your first reactions when you saw Sara in the trailer, and then in the songs?

Srabanti: Sara is born-talented. And I could relate to her because I was only eight when I did my first film Mayar Badhan. And I played little Maya. So just like Sara, I had the title role. Sara’s expressions are beautiful. She is so natural, and has such an innocent face. She has got it all from her mom! She remembers her lines so well. And she knows how to react, when to give a look... she feels it, just like me. We became good friends. 

Sayantika: Sara was herself throughout the shoot. She was so spontaneous. I’ve told Nilanjanaadi that both her daughters will become heroines... the way Zara does 
make-up!

Srabanti: If you see Zara in the visuals (Zara plays the younger Uma), you’ll find that she is looking at Jisshuda... and she looks angry! I loved that expression.  

Sayantika: And you should have seen the preparation! She wouldn’t go for the shot, she was not in the mood. And all of us were trying to coax her!

Nilanjanaa: Just before that she was having fun on the carousel, and then suddenly she was asked to give the shot. So I gave her a powdered candy and she was fine.  

Sayantika: The parents will remember that Zara gave her first shot sitting in my lap. 

Did Sara rehearse ever?

Sayantika: Nilanjanaadi ran a few lines by her one night. Next day, Sara delivered her lines in the same manner twice. And Srijitda figured out that she had done rehearsals the night before. He told Jisshuda, ‘Just let her do it her way.’

Nilanjanaa: She did her homework and ended up memorising her lines! She was so focused. Srijit didn’t have to tell her even once to get serious about her work. Sara has all the qualities of becoming a good actor. In Switzerland, she would get up at 4am, have breakfast and reach the sets by 6am. 

Nilanjanaa, does all this talk about Sara in Uma take you back to your Hip Hip Hurray! days?

Nilanjanaa: It does, but more than anything else, it is the motherhood factor. It’s crazy. I am constantly watching the songs and the trailer. Every day, before I go to sleep, I watch the trailer and the songs, and I have tears in my eyes. And every morning I wake up and wonder, ‘Wow, Sara has actually done it.’ It’s a moment of pride. I don’t even remember the Hip Hip Hurray! days, it was so long ago. But when I see photographs that fans post about Hip Hip Hurray!, I realise there’s so much similarity between us. 

Were you nervous during the Hip Hip Hurray! shoot?

Nilanjanaa: We were a bunch of kids and we were all doing it for the first time. We did our workshop. We had seasoned actors like Vinay Pathak who took care of us. I was just out of college then. It was fun. 

Srabanti, you have worked with Aparna Sen, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and Srijit. How are the three different from each other? 

Srabanti: There is one similarity actually. All three are perfectionists, and all three can bring out the best in their actors. I did workshops for Goynar Baksho, not for Uma. Srijitda is halka raagi, but when you perform well he is very generous with his praise. He appreciates the hard work that goes into making a scene special. And then one really feels inspired to do better.
 
Did you get a scolding from Srijit?

Srabanti: Once, it was a mild one. We were having adda, and a scene was going on in the next room… so you can imagine! Sara is the quiet one, and Zara is just like me! When I am with my family, I am like Zara. In fact I am Zara even on a film set. I become Sara only in front of the camera. Her act took me back to my childhood as an actor. I did a lot of serials and telefilms after Mayar Badhan.
 
How was the Mayar Badhan experience?

Srabanti: My first shot was with Ritudi (Rituparna Sengupta). She played my mother. Thankfully, I didn’t have to deliver any line. I had to come down a flight of stairs and walk with Ritudi. And then she gives me a hug. Of course I was tense. I was in Class III. It was a Bumbada (Prosenjit)-Ritudi film. 

Both of you worked with Srijit for the first time…

Srabanti: The timing was just right for both of us. 

Sayantika: I have always wanted to work with Srijitda. And getting to be a part of Uma was just wow. With such an amazing cast, I was very careful. Srijitda just told me to leave everything to him. I just followed whatever he said. I did feel scared initially. I had to trust Srijitda completely. I didn’t have a point of reference. And now it feels great to receive all the praise and appreciation.  

Nilanjanaa: It’s an ensemble cast and each and every character is important. 

Srabanti: It is such a moving film. We didn’t have to use any glycerine. 

Nilanjanaa: I didn’t visit the sets on the day they shot the climax. I knew it would get really emotional. 

Srabanti: Seeing Jisshuda and Sara cry, I started crying. Srijitda also started crying.  

Nilanjanaa: I loved Srabanti in Goynar Baksho. She was a revelation. We all were like, ‘She can also do this.’

Srabanti: Yes, cast us in more roles like this. How will we dance if they don’t give us the chance? (Laughs out loud) 

Did your son visit the sets?

Srabanti: Yes... Jhinuk and Sara are good friends. They follow each other on Instagram. 

Nilanjanaa: He is such a well-behaved, good-looking, sweet boy. Sara loves to make friends. And her biggest takeaway from Uma is that she has made so many friends. Sara has got so much support from Srabanti and Sayantika.  
 
Srabanti, who do you play?

Srabanti: I can’t reveal much about my character. I have two names — Marium and Menoka, and I have never done a character like this before (Sayantika plays Menoka, the ex-wife of Himadri, played by Jisshu).

What’s your son’s reaction?

Srabanti: He says, ‘Ma, you are looking like a mom on screen.’ His fave film of mine is Shudhu Tomari Jonnyo. He loved the story, songs... and he adores Dev.

Is Jhinuk also getting film offers?!

Srabanti: He should finish his studies first. He is 13 now, he has a lot of time for that. 

What was Srijit’s brief to you? 

Srabanti: Srijitda wanted me to be very natural... like I am with my son. Most of my scenes are with Sara. And I bond really well with kids.  

How was Jisshu to work with?

Srabanti: I have done many serials with Jisshuda. He is awesome. He has also played my elder brother in a megaserial. For one of the scenes in Uma, Jisshuda was outstanding. And I became an even bigger fan of his.  

Arindam Chatterjee
Pictures: B. Halder