It’s difficult to keep track of Riya Sen’s status updates on Facebook. One day she is in Mumbai, the next day she is in Durgapur and on the third, she checks into a palace in Rajasthan. In between she signed Riingo’s bilingual action film Senapati which also stars Abhinav Shukla, Subrat Dutt, Indrasish Roy, Ronodeep Bose, Barun Chanda.... t2 caught up with 
Moon Moon Sen’s younger daughter over WhatsApp!

Riya, you travel so much. It must be difficult for directors to track you down if they want to offer you a film!

(Laughs) No, I don’t think my travelling poses any difficulty in tracking me down. I am very active on social media. But travel I must. I guess I am conditioned that way. I have a wanderlust. I love travelling. I am off to somewhere every two months. Travelling for me is therapeutic. It’s a necessity for me. I am off to London and Malta next month before I start shooting for a couple of films.

Even after so many years as an actress, your Wikipedia page says ‘Riya Sen not to be confused with Raima Sen, Rimi Sen or Reemma Sen’. Do people still confuse you with them?

No one confuses any of us. Unfortunately my Wikipedia page is controlled by a handful of journalists who have totally messed it up. 

Tell us about your role in Riingo’s Senapati...

It’s an action film, slightly dark. It will be shot both in Hindi and Bengali. The cast is a mix of Tollywood and Bollywood actors, which makes it interesting. Riingo is intelligent and quirky and I know he will portray me well. Our eccentricity is mutual. The English title is Petals of Red.

Do you think you are making the right choices in films?

Yes! None of my films are monotonous. I am glad I am being offered various types of characters. That’s a great sign.

Does Raima help you choose films?

Sometimes she does. But I make my own decisions.

Do you discuss politics with your mother (Moon Moon Sen)?

Very rarely. The less we talk about politics the better. Let’s just say, I am always there to support my mom and the chief minister. They are doing an excellent job.

Do you watch films to learn the craft of acting? 

I do watch a lot of films. But I watch them for entertainment mainly.

You post a lot of photos of your pets Poochie and Tashi on Facebook and Instagram... 

Tashi and Poochie are my life. They live in Mumbai and complete my home. They are the world’s cutest little baby dolls! They exude positive energy and unconditional love.

And it’s no secret that you are a great cook. Have you tried cooking any new dish?

I am slowly trying to master the art of Tripuri cuisine, like khar dal and dry fish curry. My dad (Bharat Dev Varma) is from Tripura. He loves it. 

Kushali Nag