For Rituparna Sengupta, the past year has been a rollercoaster of experiences. With a string of theatrical releases that showcased her acting versatility, she also earned recognition as a producer. Amidst the excitement of success, however, she faced the pain of personal loss, too. In a heart-to-heart t2 chat, the ever-optimistic Rituparna opened up about her cherished birthday traditions, reflected on her journey through triumphs and challenges, and spoke about her upcoming releases...

Happy birthday! What are your birthday plans for today?

I’m swamped with work since I’ve got two back-to-back releases coming up — Kaal Trighori in Hindi, followed by Lakshmikantapur Local in Bengali. This day has mixed emotions for me, now, as it reminds me of my mother. Last year, she spoke to me for the last time on this day. It was just a faint “happy birthday,” and then she slipped into a coma. Life feels so empty without her. Also, it’s National Cancer Awareness Day, and as the ambassador for Life Beyond Cancer, I’ll be visiting children at the hospital as well as spending time with kids with special needs. There’s the song launch for Lakshmikantapur Local and the launch of the Nazarbandi logo, so it’s going to be a busy day. Later in the night, I’ll be flying to Singapore where my family will be waiting for me, and I plan to visit the temple, too.

Is there an old birthday ritual that you miss or feel nostalgic about?

I can’t help but miss the comforting taste of my mother’s home-cooked meals. My mom would make payesh, fish fry, motorshutir kochuri along with mutton keema chop and ghugni. I can’t bring myself to eat those dishes anymore. Losing her took away a part of my happiness. I miss her touch; she was so soft and comforting.

What makes you feel truly special on your birthday?

For me, it’s a moment of reflection as I celebrate another trip around the sun. I embrace the new year with a heart full of gratitude. Each year brings a sense of fulfillment knowing there’s so much more to explore and discover. The love I receive from family and friends fills me with warmth and empathy; it’s truly touching to know that so many people look forward to celebrating with me. The first bouquet of roses I get is always gifted by my husband and that adds to the joy of the day.

It’s been quite an eventful year for you, career-wise. How do you reflect on this year?

I’m genuinely thrilled as an actor to have had the opportunity to portray such compelling roles. They’ve pushed me beyond my comfort zone. The heartfelt recognition from audiences truly revitalised my passion for acting. The challenges of producing can be overwhelming and stressful. Nonetheless, it brought me immense joy to explore it. I believe God has been gracious, and I’m excited about what lies ahead.

If you had to look back at a few memorable moments, what would those be?

One of the most memorable moments was working with the legendary Sharmila Tagore and the release of Puratawn. Puratawn is dear to her, and she mentioned that it might be her last film. If that’s the case, it will certainly leave a mark on the history of Indian cinema. Travelling to places like New York, Washington DC, and Chicago with my films, and the honour of collecting accolades at various prestigious festivals and award shows has to be a highlight, too. The screening of Goodbye Mountain at the Governor’s house was one of a kind. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Mein, Meri Patni Aur Woh, and my first Hindi film, Teesra Kaun, celebrated its 25th anniversary. I was also honoured to be the face of Durga Puja in Times Square.

Many of your films, like Puratawn and Bela, have resonated with audiences across the globe. How does it feel when people beyond borders still wait for your films?

Bela and Puratawn continue to screen in some of the finest venues worldwide. The audience reactions have been incredible, which makes me feel appreciated and valued. It’s truly a gift in our profession. I remember Shah Rukh Khan once mentioned that he wants to be forever mobbed, recognised and disturbed by his fans because he worked really hard for this. It really resonated with me. I’ve always had great faith in my films and their potential to connect with audiences beyond borders. Madam Sengupta and Dabaru have recently started streaming on OTT platforms. I even took Dabaru to the USA for screenings, and the content was appreciated by all.

You are not someone who is comfortable with horror as a genre. What drew you to Kaal Trighori?

True! Initially, I hesitated to take on this role but my character had numerous layers that posed a challenge for me as an actress and I wanted to take up that challenge. Nitin (Vaidya) was eager to cast me, and the ensemble cast was impressive. I recognised that participating in this film would enhance my career in a genre I hadn’t explored extensively.

The cast features a remarkable lineup of actors. What did you enjoy most about being part of this team?

It was a wonderful experience! Arbaaz is not only talented but also a kind person. We had discussions about films, food, and production. He loves sweets. I would often take sweets from Calcutta for him. He expressed great admiration for my work. Working with Aditya Srivastava, who has a dedicated fan base from CID, was fantastic. I also cherished working with Rajesh Sharma, a veteran and a dear friend, and Mahesh Manjrekar, who is truly one of a kind. We had many night shoots, which required us to maintain both physical and mental fitness due to the exhausting nature of the scenes. The performances called for intense expressions, and we filmed near Rajkot in a hauntingly beautiful haveli, which is a character in itself. The eeriness of the location added to the atmosphere of the filming, too.

Lakshmikantapur Local is also set to release this month. What drew you to this story?

I’ve known Ram (Kamal Mukherjee) for ages; he is like a younger brother. I’ve always been there to back his work because he’s incredibly talented and writes well. We often talked about the possibility of collaborating, and then he approached me with this film. It’s a heartfelt, realistic story that the audience will connect with.

How was the vibe on the set?

Kaushikda (Ganguly) and I had previously worked in Drishtikone together as actors. He’s incredibly versatile as an actor, writer, and director. Paoli (Dam) has a fantastic role too, along with Indraneil (Sengupta), Sayoni (Ghosh), Rajnandini (Paul), and the rest of the cast. Everyone is at their peak in this film. I aimed to do my utmost to bring my director’s vision for my character to life. We were all focused on our performances and sat to watch each other perform, too. The diversity of acting skills in this film was impressive.

One of the remarkable things about you is how you support your contemporaries as well as new talent…

Being grounded and kind is truly a valuable trait I’ve inherited from my family. To me, life is about living for both yourself and others — embracing your journey while sharing your life with those around you.

What has this year taught you about life?

It’s been a transformative year indeed. The most important lesson that this whirlwind of a year taught me is the art of acceptance. Life is full of surprises and the occasional betrayals, but I press on, tackling challenges as they come.

If you had to look back and say one thing to a younger Rituparna setting out in life with big dreams, what would that be?

Well, I believe I am getting younger with every passing day! (Laughs) But to Rituparna, starting out on her professional journey, I would say — life is all about constant discovery. We only live once, so make it purposeful. Perhaps, lean a bit more on logic than emotion. Often, I tend to approach things with my heart rather than my head. I would advise her not to do so in the professional space.