They have a lot of admiration for each other. Rituparna Sengupta and Lolita Chatterjee — the modern, educated, free-spirited women in Anup Das’s Khola Hawa (hits screens on December 12) — even choose each other as their style icon. A t2 chat...
Rituparna gifts a fur coat to Lolita Chatterjee during the t2 chat at her Lake Gardens residence.
Pictures: Pabitra Das
In Khola Hawa, Rituparna’s character walks out of a bad marriage and falls for a younger man (Samadarshi).... Are such things more acceptable in society today?
Rituparna: See, in Khola Hawa my character tries very hard to save the marriage, but she fails. So she decides to call it quits. Everyone has the right to walk out of a marriage that’s not working, whether it’s the wife or the husband.
Lolita: Of course times have changed, society has changed. I think in our times too divorce and separation were there but were not acceptable. Our generation has seen very few separations and divorces, actually. Our grandparents were taught to sacrifice their freedom and independence and continue to be in a marriage even if it was suffocating. But it’s important to lead an independent life and not stay put in a marriage that’s crumbling day by day. One should respect oneself and give importance to one’s independence. And that’s what my character is in Khola Hawa. I play Samadarshi’s grandmother, a very forward-thinking woman, educated and modern.
You were a style icon in your younger days. Who according to you is the most stylish heroine today?
Lolita: Really? Was I? Yes, I think I was! (Laughs) When I was young I used to wear pants and tops and knee-length skirts and I would get a earful from my family for that. I even wore backless blouses with chiffon saris and my family was completely against it. I hope I looked good! (Laughs) Among the heroines now, Ritu (Rituparna) is very fashionable. She looks very good in mini skirts.
Rituparna: Thank you, Lolitadi, for choosing me as the most fashionable heroine! But I think Priyanka Chopra and Alia Bhatt are very fashionable.
What are both of you most comfortable in?
Rituparna: Jeans and a white shirt.
Lolita: I am very comfortable in salwar kameez. When I was young, I used to be comfortable in pants and tops. But not anymore! I am comfortable in a sari too.
One fashion faux pas you’ve made?
Lolita: Oh a long time ago I was shooting in Mahabaleshwar for my debut Hindi film Raat Andheri Thi (1967) where I had a dance sequence with Helen. My tailor took the measurements and made a dress, but when I wore it, it was not only ill-fitting but I looked pregnant! Last minute I changed and wore a salwar kameez instead.... But I don’t remember any fashion faux pas in real life. I loved dressing up and I had a fair knowledge of fashion.
Rituparna: On a couple of occasions I wore dark red lipstick and nobody likes me in red lipstick! (There’s a standing joke in the industry about Rituparna’s red lips, and she is sporting enough to laugh about it.)
Which shade of lipstick suits you best?
Rituparna: Dark brown and beige.
Lolita: Pink and red.
What do you always carry in your bag?
Rituparna: Mascara, lipstick and base.
Lolita: Comb, mirror and lipstick.
Ritu is very fashionable. She looks very good in mini skirts — Lolita
Tips on how to dress fashionable
Rituparna: Always highlight the eyes with kajal. Brush your hair neatly and never step out of home without a touch of lipstick.
Lolita: Know what suits you best. Don’t ape someone else. Knee-length skirts are my favourite.
