Rituparna Sengupta and Koushik Sen at a t2 chat at Paris Cafe, opposite Ice Skating Rink. Picture: Rashbehari Das

Rituparna Sengupta is 20 minutes late for a chat with Koushik Sen. Then Koushik waits patiently another 20 minutes as she touches up her make-up. Just like husband and wife. After all, that’s what they play in Agnidev Chatterjee’s A Political Murder. Their chat...

Koushik: Ritu, I have a complaint. You look gorgeous naturally, then why do you do such bad make-up?

Rituparna: I am not God! Sometimes I also make mistakes! Regarding make-up, I am not always sure…

K: I am also keen to know why despite being a National Award winner and having done such good films in the past you give your consent to some absolutely trashy films nowadays...

R: If you are talking about Mati Amar Ma then let me clarify, I had done just an item number in the film. If the producer puts my face on the poster what can I do?

K: It’s high time you steer clear of bad films...

R: I agree. Koushik, you’ve always given me good advice.

K: I still remember my first Rituparna film, in Bijoli.... It had Tanuja and Soumitra Chatterjee.

R: Sesh Chithi.

K: Yes. I couldn’t watch the film post-interval, it was so bad! But your presence was good. You played a negative character.

R: Yes, I was always experimental! (Laughs)

R: Koushik, do you remember how we met for the first time?

K: Yes, through television. We had done a mega titled Kalpurush. That was also the time when I formed my theatre group Swapnasandhani and Ritu was a regular at all my productions.

R: Yes, even if I have never managed to do theatre I have watched plays and that prepared me to be an actress.

K: I found that very interesting. A girl who is just entering the glam world, why would she take the trouble to watch theatre every evening? Till today she makes it a point to watch theatre.

R: I was flabbergasted when I watched your first productions Ankhi Pallab and Jadubangsho. A new world was revealed in front of me. Kanchan (Mallick), one of your actors now, was a lightman back then. You have carried on and given opportunities to your actors. That’s very interesting. That doesn’t happen in our world (film industry).

R: How did you train Reshmi (Sen), your wife, to become such a good stage actress? I’ve known her for a long time and back then she would help you backstage...

K: Well, she is a good actress. I just honed her skills.

R: She was very good in Anami Angona and Thana Theke Aaschhi.

K: This is what I like about you, Ritu. You always appreciate artistes. It’s a great quality.

R: You’ve often cast actresses from Tollywood, but you’ve never chosen me!

K: Yes. The problem with you is that in the afternoon I sit and discuss a production with you at a coffee shop and in the evening when I call, you are in Singapore! (Both laugh out loud)

R: But we’ve done an audio drama together, Purnendu Patrir Kathopokothon.

K: Whenever I’m working with you, I always make sure to ask the production controller about the next day’s call time — because if it’s at 10am, I make sure to reach the sets not before noon! (Laughs) Initially I used to feel disgusted about her late entry, but later I realised that no matter what time she arrived she would deliver her best. I would spend hours rehearsing before a scene and Ritu would disappear and walk in late but her scenes never required a second take.

R: I face problems because you are such a disciplinarian! I feel very jealous of you sometimes. Your acting is so effortless. Remember the bedroom scene in A Political Murder? You had a full page of dialogues but you never fumbled!

K: That is also because we are such good friends. You are a star, I have seen the popularity and stardom you enjoy in the suburbs. Yet you are so grounded.

R: You are a very good actor. You were brilliant in Tiktiki. But somehow stardom has always eluded theatre artistes...

K: I like to think of myself as a theatre artiste. I have to do films and serials because in our country it is difficult to survive by only doing theatre. If tomorrow I am given the assurance of a good remuneration from theatre, I will quit films immediately. Even Naseeruddin Shah doesn’t do just theatre. Stardom or no stardom, nobody has ever pointed out that I am a bad actor…

R: I too have a complaint. Why do you always play elderly characters in mega serials?

K: Yes! I played the father of three young daughters in Sindoor Khela on STAR Jalsha. Theatre-ta tikiye rakhte holey (to keep my theatre work going) I have to do these.

K: There was a time when people said that without Bumbada (Prosenjit), Rituparna cannot do anything. But you’ve proved them wrong!

R: Yes, I believe in hard work and I know I can overcome any hurdle because I’m honest and dedicated towards my job.

K: Prosenjit has taken his career towards an entirely different direction. Haven’t you thought of doing something similar?

R: I am trying to do some good Hindi films this year.

K: When you did Trishna (2008) everybody was shocked! But I understood your psychology. You wanted to prove that you could still do it...

R: I am a very positive person. Whatever films came my way, I said yes to those. Maybe some of my choices were wrong. I don’t mind making mistakes but I have never got solid support from anyone. Nobody backed me. I almost felt left out in this industry at one point of time. But I told myself that I can’t sit and wallow in self pity. I have to move forward. I picked a few films and I have given my best in all the films I have done and that’s where I have scored. I have sustained...

K: Have you ever thought why Aparna Sen didn’t repeat you after Paromitar Ekdin?

R: Lots of directors didn’t repeat me.

K: In Bombay, apart from Main Meri Patni Aur Woh, none of your films have clicked. Hasn’t that harmed you as an actress?

R: See, whether it’s harmed me or not I don’t know but it has made me experienced. I have always been a fighter and I know there’s a set of audience looking forward to my films. But whatever it is, Koushik, you have to admit that today directors have a lot of faith in me.

K: Yes, of course. See, Ritu you also realise that age is catching up with you. I don’t think you are interested to be a heroine anymore. There are many young actresses in the industry now. But you are still going on. Hats off!