Koneenica with Arijit on the sets of Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti. Picture by Aranya Sen

Big bindi, black-and-red cotton sari and chunky junk jewellery — that’s Koneenica Banerjee’s new look as Megh in Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti, the serial she quit last year to try her luck in Mumbai.
Koni is back with a smile after a six-month break — Mumbai may not have worked out but she sure has got a better deal from the ETV Bangla soap.
“I don’t believe in replacements. Besides, Koneenica is like family. I was sure she would return, so I didn’t replace her with anyone else. Instead, we changed the plot and got her character kidnapped,” says the serial’s producer and screenplay writer Snehasish Chakraborty.
As the mega completes 500 episodes today, t2 engages Koneenica in a chat...

Where were you all these months?

I had gone to Mumbai. I am still struggling there; there are no offers yet. I go to Mumbai on and off. It will take time...

Why did you quit the two soaps last year?

It wasn’t intentional. I left Kokhono Megh Kokhono Brishti in June last year because my payments were due. TV actors are paid very little in Calcutta and on top of that I wasn’t being paid on time. It was becoming very difficult for me as I was concentrating on only two megas, this and Raat Bhor Brishti.

Besides, playing Megh had become very monotonous for me. The character became very boring. There was no punch, no zing and I felt stagnated. So I left it half-way. But I’m happy to be back. I have no grudge against my producer Snehasishda (Chakraborty). When I left, Megh was shown to have been kidnapped by some goons. It’s fun now to slip into Megh’s shoes as there’s something interesting to offer to the viewers.

What’s the new Megh like?

Megh is back with more power and confidence. She is a powerful woman who wants to take revenge. George Baker is essaying the role of my uncle. He is a powerful political figure in the serial and with his help I will fight elections!

I wanted to offer something new to the character and I didn’t want to look the same. That would be boring. Earlier Megh looked simple, she was a widow whose husband died the day she got married. But Megh has left all that behind. Now she meets her ex-lover Soumik (Arijit Chowdhury) who is married to someone else. I enjoy playing Megh now; she is very brave.

What about the other serial, Raat Bhor Brishti?

Don’t even talk about Raat Bhor Brishti! I am not in touch with any of them. They did not pay me my dues. They still owe me Rs 1 lakh!

Is your makeover fetching you any exciting offers in town?

I don’t think it’s a makeover. I have just changed myself a little bit. There are quite a few offers here; a couple of telefilms and a film which I can’t talk about now. I have just finished shooting for Anjan Dutt’s Chalo Let’s Go, where I play a young, fashionable girl.

(What role suits Koneenica on TV? Tell t2@abpmail.com)