In Anjan Dutt’s thriller Revolver Rahashya, which released at cinemas on February 3, Tonushree Chakraborty plays a mysterious character, alongside Suprabhat Das, Sujan Neel Mukherjee, Chandan Sen and Anjan himself. Tonushree tells us what it has been like to be directed by Anjan and her decade-long career in films.

Do you watch thrillers?

Tonushree: I love watching thrillers. I have grown up reading Satyajit Ray’s Feluda and Sharadindu Bandopadhyay’s Byomkesh Bakshi stories. I love reading Agatha Christie. I have also done a film, Chorabali, based on her novel Cards on the Table. I also love the James Bond films.

Did you watch the series Danny Detective Inc or read the book written by Anjan Dutt?

Tonushree: I have not watched the series yet. I have read the Revolver Rahashya story in the book and I could actually visualise the whole story. Anjanda wanted a different treatment for this story. My character, Tamali, has a lot of shades. After I read the book, I was amazed. He is a great writer. His narration helped me to get into the character.

What about Revolver Rahashya made you say yes to it?

Tonushree: The treatment of the story and the script, and the humour. You will not get to see this type of humour in a detective story. The connection between the audience and the detective is unique. The detective in this film is not like a superhero. He is very simple, like any other man. He has no ambition. He’s lazy. Danny Detective helps Subrata Sharma solve cases. But to know who’s the real detective, Subrata Sharma or Danny, you need to watch the film.

How has it been working with Anjan Dutt?

Tonushree: It was such a lovely experience. We shot in Darjeeling. I feel it is a challenge for Anjanda to shoot in Darjeeling. There are places that he has repeated in films but very intelligently. The challenge here is how he will portray the same place in a different way.

What was Anjan Dutt’s brief for your character?

Tonushree: He told me about the shades in Tamali’s character, how she’s changing and evolving through the film. I just followed what he said but he was very open about his actors improvising their dialogues.

My character was very challenging for me. Since we didn’t shoot linearly, it became more challenging. On the first day, we might have shot a phase of the character where she’s full of emotions. If you’re shooting it on the first day, you’ll have to be already in the character. That becomes a challenge. You’ll have to maintain the pace of the character all through as the audience will watch it linearly. As an actor, you have to be prepared and everything has to be in your mind.

How do you choose your characters?

Tonushree: I choose scripts. The script has to be strong. If the script excites me, I will do it. Then I see the importance of the character in the film and how the situation in the script is changing because of the character.

From modelling to films, how has this journey been for you?

Tonushree: I never thought I would become an actor. I was a model. I got a chance to audition for the film Bondhu Esho Tumi. My second film was Uro Chithi with Kamleshwar Mukherjee.

It has been 11 years in the industry. It has been a rollercoaster ride. I don’t really analyse. I just keep walking. I do feel nostalgic when I look back. It has become more challenging today. I have to work harder and break out of what I’ve already done. I have to do new things. There are so many new talents coming in every day. I’m learning from them too. Now I feel it is important to choose the right project. I want to be the finest in what I do. I have been a good student. I have been blessed with great teachers throughout my journey.

What’s next for you?

Tonushree: I’ve played Lady Macbeth in Raajhorshee De’s Mayaa. It will be released very soon.