Ira Dubey and Palash Sen want to be associated with “sensitive and sensible films”. In last Friday’s release Aisa Yeh Jahaan (currently screening at Bioscope, Axis Mall, Rajarhat) the two play a couple from Assam who struggle to adapt to the ways of big, bad Mumbai. They spoke to t2 during their recent Calcutta visit. 

Aisa Yeh Jahaan is being promoted as India’s “first carbon neutral film”. What does that mean?!

Palash: Basically it means that while filming, whatever we take away from nature, we give it back. On the sets, we made sure that everything was disposed of properly. There was no littering... there was no pollution. 
Ira: Sometimes we make films with huge budgets and then they tank. It is a criminal waste of resources. We had planted over 600 trees as a gesture during the making of this film.

Personally, how do you contribute to nature conservation?

Palash: I am very paranoid about leaving the room with the lights on and brushing my teeth keeping the tap on. I hate when people litter and spit on the road. We Indians are selfish. We want our houses to be clean aur baaki jaaye bhaad mein!
Ira: We should save water as much as we can. I don’t throw tissue paper or a chocolate wrapper out of the window from the car.

The subject of the film is so relatable, a couple coming to a big city from a small town and struggling to adjust... 

Palash: Yes, the film shows how a nuclear family gets trapped in a big city, which a lot of people face. For example, my father had come from Banaras and my mother came from Jammu. All their lives they were trying to adjust to Delhi. 
Ira: There is a simplicity and Northeast sensibility in the film. The director, Biswajeet Bora, has his mentor Jahnu Barua’s sensibilities. There is no fuss and frills in the film. It is relatable and sweet.
 
You play a couple who are poles apart. Tell us about your roles...

Ira: I play Ananya, who is extremely aspirational. She tries hard to be a modern Mumbai woman. She doesn’t want her daughter to learn Assamese... but only Hindi and English. She may be completely different in ethos from what I am but there are elements that resonate with who I am.
Palash: I play Rajiv, who has studied in IIT and IIM. He can’t come to terms with the fact that he has left his village and come to the big city to work. His wife is uneducated, but very aspirational and ambitious. 

A doctor-turned-musician and a stage actress... how did you two hit it off on set? 

Palash: I have learnt a lot from Ira. She is unconventionally beautiful and talented. She is a thorough stage actress. We really looked like a couple in the film. The comfort level got translated on screen (smiles).
Ira: When I heard that I have to act with Palash Sen whose Maeri and Dhoom pichak dhoom I had grown up listening to, it felt surreal! He is a doctor. My family is also full of doctors, engineers and academicians. We hit it off instantly. 

A part of the film was shot in the lap of nature in Assam, so how was that experience? 

Ira: I love nature. Assam has pristine natural beauty, which is still so pure, and is preserved so well. The people are simple, happy and content. I fell in love with the mekhla chadar. My mom (Lilette) and sister (Neha) wanted me to bring it for them. 
Palash: Nobody wanted to come back! We were served local Assamese food, which is very close to Bengali food. I loved it. They served maachh, bhaat and dal. 

How has the stay in Calcutta been?

Palash: For me, it is Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa (he’s one of the four judges on the show). We are the highest-watched non-fiction TV show in Bengal. Besides that, there are significant changes in the city. A lot of malls have come up. New Town has developed. Landing at the new airport is a pleasure (smiles). 
Ira: I love Bengali food, especially the mustard fish. I always feel connected with Bengalis. I have spent time here growing up. It has an old-world charm that never goes away.

What’s next for you? 

Palash: In August, Euphoria’s first Bangla single will come out. I have learnt a lot of Bangla on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.... It’s time to give back. I discovered my Bengali roots. 
Ira: I am doing a travel show on TV in September. And there are two films that I am discussing with the makers.