Picture by Pabitra Das; Wardrobe: Radhika Singhi; Make-up: Nabin Das; Styling: Sandy; Horse: Gentle Jewel

My association with Koel dates back to 2000, when I first saw her at the rice-eating ceremony of a friend’s daughter. Koel was in school then. Slightly on the plump side, but very fresh and beautiful. It was then that my co-director Abhijit (Guha) and I set our sights on Koel to cast her in a film some day. Koel started her film career within a couple of years with Haranath Chakraborty’s Nater Guru, where Jeet was her hero. When we got a producer for our first film Shudhu Tumi, starring Prosenjit, we asked Koel to be our heroine. She agreed, marking the start of our relationship. That was in 2003-4. Koel was just about finishing college. Now a force to reckon with in the industry, having given several hit films, it was a pleasure meeting Koel for a freewheeling chat.

Let’s start with the latest events in your life. Last year, you did the chat show Katha Kahini, which dealt with relationship problems. Considering that you have had a sort of protected upbringing, how did you cope with a programme that called for a lot of experience?

Katha Kahini was indeed a learning experience for me. It matured me as a person. The complexities of relationships that I came across were varied and an eye-opener for me. I studied psychology in college, but books did not prepare me for reality entirely. Thanks to what my parents taught me at home, I could offer some practical solutions (on the show). None of my responses was scripted; it was straight from the heart.

Katha Kahini was a difficult show but it made me more aware of all the good things that I have enjoyed in life. The small problems or setbacks that I face are nothing compared to what those people have gone through. I realised that solutions to a number of problems lie within us... and look how we complicate our lives and get caught up in these problems! It’s when we look beyond that we find happiness.

Aren’t you a bit too young to sound so philosophical?

Maybe because I have had an upbringing which instilled some great middle-class values in me. Maybe my psychology background prompted me to think in this way. In fact, I took up psychology in college as people and the interplay of emotions have always interested me.

How come you took up acting, especially since you come from quite a conservative family?

This is a question that I have often been asked. Actually, as a child and even through school, I never thought I would take up acting as my profession. I always thought that like my mom I would some day get married, look after my children and build a great home. When I was in school I did get some offers to act, but my parents didn’t encourage it. Probably because my father (Ranjit Mallick) wanted me to choose my profession. My parents always preferred to give me independence. So my father let me study, decide what I would do in college and once I was grown up he let me consider Harakaku’s offer to be a heroine. When I decided to act, Baba had a serious chat with me. He said acting was a demanding profession and not something that you played around with. I should do it only if I was ready to give 100 per cent to it.

Jeet was your first hero, fresh from his superhit film Saathi. What was he like to work with?

He was very patient. Though my father was an actor, I had not been exposed to the world of shooting. I was initially uncomfortable with the intimate scenes but Jeet was very patient.

What about the others who have been your friends in the industry?

I have many friends and associates in the industry. You are one of them...

You are being politically correct...

What I am saying is what I believe in. I want to work in the industry with pride and joy. In this my dad is a great help and support.

What about your mother, Deepa?

My mother has been instrumental in keeping us all so close-knit and happy. She is the balancing factor in our lives.

What about your wedding plans? Don’t your parents tell you to settle down?

I’m sure they would like to see me ‘settled’, as you say, but they are not in a hurry. Yes, each time my mom hears about one of my school friends getting married, she does get a little concerned about me. But that’s natural. I remember Ma and I had gone to Dakshineswar a few years back. While we were waiting to go inside the temple, a lady took my mother aside and spoke to her. My mother returned, looking very pleased. When I asked her what made her look so content, she said, ‘There is still hope. People are still interested in an arranged marriage for you!’

Yet you have avoided marriage...

‘Avoided’ is not the right word. I have not got married yet because for me marriage is for keeps. If I marry someone I would want to be sure it will last till death do us part.... So I must find the right person who will also feel the same way.

Do your parents try to persuade you?

No, they don’t. They know when the time comes, when the right person walks in, I will marry him.... I must tell you a story about my dad. He had gone to the wedding of a friend’s son; the bride was also the daughter of an acquaintance. When the bride was given away, her father had tears in his eyes. My dad started crying too! He returned home very sad and told Ma how my wedding would break his heart.

What are you looking for in a husband?

Flashiness disturbs me. He must be simple and a nice human being, trustworthy and totally attached to his family. Otherwise how would he be attached to me when I become a part of his family as his wife?

KOEL AND HER MANY MEN: THE SPECIAL SCREEN BOND SHE SHARES

She has worked with almost every leading man in Tollywood. Koel tells t2 about the connect with each of her male co-stars...

Prosenjit: I have worked with Bumbada (Prosenjit) in Shudhu Tumi and Badshah. My first memory of him is of a huge star as that’s how I have seen him since childhood. On the sets, Bumbada isn’t the star that we think him to be. We were shooting in Hyderabad for Badshah and during lunch break he would ask me to relax in his vanity van while he would sit outside! I also admire him for the way he has maintained himself over the years. I learnt professionalism from him. During the Hyderabad schedule, he would be the first one to wake up and knock on everybody’s door. He never made me feel uncomfortable or nervous.

 

 

Mithun Chakraborty: I have done three films with Mithunda — Juddha, MLA Fatakesto and Minister Fatakesto. Mithunda is a prankster. He still is the 16-year-old boy-next-door and he refuses to grow up! I didn’t know him well while shooting for Juddha and so I would keep to myself on the sets. One day I was reading a book on the sets when someone started chucking stones at me. I looked around but couldn’t see anyone. Then suddenly I spotted Mithunda, with his hands full of stone chips!.... While shooting for MLA Fatakesto he cooked mutton curry and served it to Chumkidi (Debasree Roy) and me. I was touched.

 

 

Dev: I remember meeting Dev before our first film Premer Kahini and a few days later I was told that he would be working opposite me! We met again for the rehearsals and I found him to be very talented. Dev is very, very hard-working and very particular about details. He runs to the monitor after every shot to see if it’s alright. We now share a great bond. After Premer Kahini we did four films together — Mon Maane Na, Bolo Na Tumi Amar, Dui Prithibi and Paglu.

 

 

Jeet: My first film Nater Guru was with Jeet and I didn’t know him well before that. He had done Saathi before Nater Guru, which was a superhit and Jeet was every girl’s heartthrob at that time. So getting a film opposite him was a high for me! I am yet to come across a more dedicated and sincere co-actor. Together we did around nine films. Jeet has helped me grow as an actor. He has taught me the angles, the difference between a reference shot and a suggestion shot. Being a newcomer, I didn’t know the technical details but Jeet was very patient with me. We bonded and became friends when Bandhan happened. After that we did Shubho Drishti, Juddha, Ghatak, Hero….

 

Jisshu Sengupta: I was in Class XI when Jisshu became a star with the mega serial Mahaprabhu. During a vacation I had gone to the sets of Rabindranather Chhelebela, where Jisshu was working with my father. He is a very easy-going guy and we soon became friends. We would often play cards on the sets and he would cheat a lot! Much later, we worked in Love and our chemistry clicked. Bor Ashbe Ekhuni was our second film together and we had as much fun. After that, we worked in Neel Akashe Chandni.

 

 

 

Hiran: Hiran and I were paired together for his first film Nabab Nandini and so I am like a teacher to him! I have seen him grow from Nabab Nandini to Brakefail to Mon Je Kore Uru Uru.

 

 

 

 

 

Soham: I did Tarun Majumdar’s Chander Bari with Soham but I’ve known him since childhood. He has acted with my father in many films as a child artiste and as a kid I used to be extremely jealous of him because my father would cuddle and love him a lot. But, of course, things were different when I grew up. We became friends. As a child, though, he was my biggest enemy!

 

 

 

 

Abir Chatterjee: We’ve done only one film together — Prem By Chance — and it was great fun. On the sets, Abir would always joke, ‘I am Bomkesh. I know everything!’ I look forward to working with him again.