Was it a given that you would play Horotoni in Tasher Desh from the time Q conceived the film?

Yes, it was decided 12 years back when Q decided to make Tasher Desh and he sang out the whole script to me! He had wanted me to play either Potrolekha or Horotoni. There was a choice between the two but finally he offered me Horotoni.

Given a choice would you have picked Potrolekha?

Yes, because of the way she is represented in the film. She represents woman power, through the character Q has celebrated womanhood. It has a spiritual connection also. She is the Lalon of the film. Through her, the message of love and sexuality is conveyed. She spreads love in the land of cards. But finally the power comes to Horotoni and she emerges as the main female protagonist. She becomes the rock star, like Janis Joplin. She is bohemian, has a sense of liberation and at the same time she is very powerful like any other Rabindranath woman. She also comes across as strange and weird so it was very fulfiling for me…. See, I don’t have the baggage of Rabindranath Tagore. I didn’t read Tasher Desh as a child the way Q has read it. My introduction to Tasher Desh happened when Q made me listen to the songs.

According to me, Horotoni is a seductress, she is extremely beautiful and calculative. I felt liberated playing Horotoni.

So Horotoni is a lot like you, weird and bohemian!?

Ummm, yes. Actors have this interesting chemistry with characters, you know. There’s a strange connection between Horotoni and me. But for me you know in every film that I do I feel I have become that character or the character has become me.

You’ve lived life on your terms. Has Q inspired you to be a rebel?

I don’t know. Right now the kind of work I do I feel I am definitely a rebel. I want to be a rebel. I am a part of rebel cinema too... our cinema is taking a 360-degree turn. I have followed by mind, being a woman I have lived a liberated life. Whatever I am doing, how I see life... and of course Q is an integral part of my life. He has taught me a lot.

Rii showed off her dance moves at the Tasher Desh after-party held in the basement of Priya on Friday. Pictures: Sayantan Ghosh

You wear revealing outfits off screen too. How comfortable are you with your body?

Firstly, why do we need to wear clothes?! I believe in street fashion. I like cheap clothes. It’s not what people decide what I should wear. I wear whatever I’m comfortable in.

Are you really inhibition-free in reel and real life?

I am! That’s why I do these films (Gandu, Bishh, Tasher Desh). Otherwise how would I know what I can do? If I hadn’t done those scenes in Gandu, I wouldn’t have known where I stand as an actress. I will never know my limits if I am only projected as someone who dances around trees with good make-up and two emotional scenes. That’s not me, man!

So you are okay with films showing nudity?

Our films that have nudity are actually showing sex to a repressed country that this too can be done! Sexuality is an art form, some people understand that, some don’t. People who don’t understand sexuality as an art form have a problem. For me all my films are art. My films will be the topic of discussions in educational institutions later on. People will read about me. I can see that. It’s not just being comfortable in anything. It’s not just about being seductive and bold, for me it’s showing something to a society that is dying to have sex. They are crazy about porn and there I am openly showing them what I want to show them. Now, whether you want to turn your face away or sit on your mamma’s lap, that’s your freedom.

Is there anything that you will not do on screen?

I love the screen, it’s my lover. I am very passionate about acting and about this whole process. I have no reservations. For me it’s more important what all I can do for a role.

Don’t you want to do films with other directors?

Yes, but I have to understand the person because I am not only an actress, I’m an activist, I’m a social worker. I need to understand why he needs me in his film. Unless I see the passion in his eyes, which is very rare these days, I don’t know how I can fit into his film.... An actor’s job isn’t just to act. I am a collaborator. If anybody has the guts to take me through the entire process, I am game.

Are you open to going nude in other director’s films?

See, I do Q’s films not only because he is my boyfriend or because I am living-in with him for the last 10 years. I may not be a part of his next films and he may not have anything to do with my next film as an actor. We are very professional. Q is very young at heart and he is not judgemental about anything. But people are judgemental about me. They think okay Rii maanei bold scenes. Bold is a very broad subject.... I go all-out in Q’s films because he needs it. If other directors don’t need me, how can I give it to them!? If a director wants nudity from me, I will do it for him. I am ready! (Laughs)