Picture by Eastern Projections

Moon Moon Sen loves to meet and interact with people. The one-time ravishing tinsel town beauty is relaxing and enjoying a long vacation these days, meeting her friends in different corners of the country.

?These days I am lowering my work load and concentrating only on good and meaningful films,? she smiled.

?Apart from working in a few film projects, I am travelling and enjoying my leisure time with my family and friends.?

Moon Moon was in the city recently as the chief guest in a show to raise funds for tsunami victims. The tragic incident has left a deep and indelible impact on her and she wants to contribute as much as she can in her own way.

?The organiser of the show is a friend of mine and when she asked me to be a part of the show, I gladly accepted it as the cause was close to my heart,? she said. ?Moreover, the city has always been my favourite and in spite of numerous visits to the place, I discover something new every time about the place and its people.?

Moon Moon has so far worked in more than 80 films in 22 languages. The actress worked in jatra troupes at a time when it was not considered prestigious.

?Jatra has given me great scope to discover my potential not only as an actress but also as a person,? she said.

?While acting for jatra troupes, I have travelled extensively into the interiors of many states like Tripura, where the stage is built of mud with thatched roof and seeing the rush of the villagers to be a part of any show is quite satisfying. But for the last couple of years I have not worked in jatra troupes.?

She started her acting career with a Bengali film Rajbadhu by highly acclaimed director Partha Pratim Choudhury. Sen had enacted the role of a typical Bengali daughter-in-law with great elan and charm in her debut film.

The first Hindi film with Moon Moon in a major role was the Bollywood blockbuster Andar Bahar, in which she was paired with Jackie Shroff. ?The film was a huge success, but Sisha is the first Hindi film that I signed. Andar Bahar was released earlier. My glamorous image came from that film,? she said.

?In Sisha I did a very powerful role opposite Mithun Chakraborty. I am happy the way my career as an actress shaped up.?

She recently finished shooting for Anjan Dutta?s Bow Barracks Forever. The film depicts the lifestyle of the small Anglo-Indian community of Calcutta. Made on a shoestring budget, it has already won laurels at different film festivals.

A post-graduate in comparative literature, getting a good education was the prime goal for Moon Moon during her school days. Being the daughter of revered Bengali actress Suchitra Sen, she was expected to be an actress but Moon Moon admittedly never planned to be in the profession.

?Acting happened suddenly in my life and I continued with it,? she said. ?I faced the arc lights of camera after I got married, and I greatly enjoyed being an actress.? Her box-office successes include Kissa Kathmandu Mein opposite Shashi Kapoor, Mil Gaye Manzil Mujhe, Bahar Aane Tak and 100 Days with Madhuri Dixit.

Moon Moon Sen has travelled extensively in the country and abroad. But she has a special emotional tie with the northeastern part of the country. Married to Bharat Dev Varman, a scion of the royal family of Tripura, she has good number of friends in Shillong and other parts of the Northeast. ?The tradition and culture of the region is unique, something that is rare to find in other parts of the country,? she said. ?The simple and mouth-watering food of the region is a bonus point. I am very fond of Assamese khar (an appetiser), jewellery and mekhela chadar.?

Though Moon Moon is a multifaceted personality, she hardly speaks about her achievements and diverse interests. She had once worked as a teacher in the Ballygunge Government High School. Thereafter, she worked as a journalist in Amrita Bazar Patrika.

?I am an avid reader and prefer fiction. Of late, Indians writing in English have made good progress and the stories narrated by them are often heart-touching as they talk about our country and its people,? Moon Moon said. ?I enjoy watching films, too, but listening to music and travelling are my first loves.?

She has a discerning eye for paintings and wants to learn the art of pottery. She recently bought a plot of land at Shanti Niketan to build a house in the vicinity of the cultural hub of Bengal.

The actress has worked in two Assamese films and would love to be part of a third one, provided the role is exciting enough. ?I will be delighted to be a part of an Assamese film again,? she said.

Maitreyee Boruah