She waited for two years after her debut film Swet Patharer Thala for another film offer. But when Rituparna Sengupta finally began her acting career, there was no stopping her. The mother of two juggles work and home just fine and no one in Tollywood comes close to her as far as time management is concerned. A t2 chat...

When you look back at your life, do you see the struggles and hardships and how you’ve triumphed against all odds to  become Rituparna Sengupta? 

I loved watching films. But the thought of becoming a movie star was not even a distant dream. I come from a very middle-class family. I studied history in Lady Brabourne College. I had no ambition to become someone famous. I was passionate about my dance. I trained in Manipuri and Odissi and got several medals for it and I was happy. As a child I would go to Chitrangshu  in Lake Market where I trained in dance, painting and origami. It is at Chitrangshu that I learnt about team spirit... I learnt to look at life differently. We were taken to various places for excursions and that really shaped me... made me culturally inclined. I made so many new friends. 
My Boro Pishi played a big role in my life. She was very keen that I learn painting and read good books. She had no child of her own and hence loved me a lot. I owe a lot to her. I would participate in dance performances both in school (Carmel Convent) and college and everyone appreciated it.  My uncle introduced me to good cinema. He would take me to the theatre to watch Hollywood classics. I watched Born Free with him at Elite. That was the first film I ever watched. 
My ambition was to become a teacher. When I was in Class XII, my friend told me that her Dada was making a serial and was looking for a girl. So I did a dance performance on Doordarshan titled Shada Paira. That was pure fun. Director Prabhat Roy saw it and chose me for Swet Patharer Thala (1992). And that’s how my journey in films began. 
But my family was dead against me doing films. Baba was totally against it. Many producers would call to offer me films but Baba — who would receive those calls — would refuse them! I had to wait for two years after Swet Patharer Thala to do another film. 

I was rejected because of my shrill voice and many said I was not fit for Bengali films. Swet Patharer Thala was a huge hit and even bagged the National Award but mine wasn’t a good debut... which I now realise. I played a very nyaka girl and my role was slightly negative. So there were hardly any offers after that. But then Dipankar De recommended me for a TV series called Cinemawalla  which became very popular. That changed things for me. Director Dulal Lahiri offered me a few films and even taught me voice modulation. And I realised I cannot stay away from light, camera and action... ever!   

How did you become Rituparna Sengupta the star?

My very first masala film Nagpanchami was a superhit. Then Swapan Saha chose me for Sujan Sakhi, which became a huge hit. Back then Swapanda was a big director and all his films were hits. Then Prabhat Roy cast me in Tumi Ele Tai, Khelaghar, Lathi which became superhits. And then I did a lot of films in Bangladesh which were big hits. So not only did I become famous here, I was also a big name in Bangladesh. Then Chiranjeetda offered me Sansar Sangram which became a mega hit and I became a household name. 

And then you teamed up with Prosenjit and together you delivered a series of hits...

Yes, Prosenjit and I did work as a pair in a lot of hit films. We were the most reliable pair of that time having done around 48 films together. I also paired up with Chiranjeet and Abhishek. I was also working in Oriya films. So I was balancing Tollywood, Bangladesh and Odisha. And then I went to Bombay for Teesra Kaun with Mithunda (Chakraborty). But I think I became a superstar with Abujh Mon and Moner Manush, both starring Prosenjit and me. And our pair became hugely popular. 

Was your father happy?

Baba was still in two minds. He didn’t like my staying away for late-night shoots. But then in 1998 I got my National Award for Dahan and that changed Baba too. I was totally into films after that. 

Didn’t you miss the simple life that you had?

I did. I was very young when I joined movies. I was still in college and unlike my peers I couldn’t enjoy a Sunday holiday with my family. I missed so many family functions, my cousin’s marriage. I was shooting while the entire family was celebrating the marriage. I would have tears in my eyes... shooting felt like punishment. But then good films happened, like Paromitar Ekdin, and I couldn’t thank my stars enough. I worked with Buddhadeb Dasgupta in Mondo Meyer Uppyakhan, Raja Sen’s Atmiya Swajan, Devipaksha. During the shoot of Chakrabyuha something happened. For one of the scenes Chandan Sen had to throw a glass of water on my face and accidentally he threw the glass at me and a shard of glass hit my gum and broke my teeth! So for the  first time I understood the perils of being cast opposite serious actor! And after that there was no time to think how life could have been different if I were not a star. 

What would be your tips on  time management for t2 readers?

See you can’t take away the fact that I am also a mother and a wife and a daughter-in-law of a very demanding family. My husband (Sanjay Chakraborty) is very demanding. He insists on regular holidays with my family and then he wants undivided attention. So sometimes it gets difficult. I know there’s a standing joke that Rituparna is always late. Well, I say better late than never. If you love doing what you are doing, you will always make time for it. There’s not a single day when I don’t have meetings, shoots or events to attend. But I do find some family time either in the morning or at night. I make it a point to listen to my daughter about how her day was spent every day in between work. My phone is never switched off. I take calls from my family even in the middle of a meeting. Only when I am giving a shot, my phone is with my secretary. 

What advice would you like to give to young aspiring actresses?

Success doesn’t come easy. If you get something easily you will lose it fast. Love your craft, give hundred per cent to your profession. Don’t worry about results. Stay humble. Watch good films. Respect seniors. 

Kushali Nag