A ctor Sauraseni Maitra often turns to her mother for style advice over call during photoshoots. The phone calls she makes to her “favourite stylist” ranges from as simple a question as should she wear a bindi to complex ones like colour coordinating. Inspired by their bond, t2 approached the mother-daughter duo to style each other in two festive looks.

Yesterday’s celebration of Mahalaya marked the transition from pitru paksha to devi paksha, or matri paksha, as some call it, heralding the start of Maa Durga’s journey to Earth. It is a period that also honours motherhood, womanhood and the divine feminine spirit. As Durga Puja celebrations begin with Mahalaya, t2 chose to celebrate the bond of this mother-daughter duo with a special shoot, offering a glimpse into their shared passion for fashion and styling.

A t2 chat with Sauraseni and her mother Sharmistha:

In this shoot, Sauraseni was very particular about your look. Is she always so involved in styling her mother?

Sharmistha Maitra: Absolutely! She worries a lot about my outfits and suggests accessories...
Sauraseni Maitra: It’s not worry; I just enjoy dressing her up! But my mother has also been my go-to stylist. No matter how many stylist friends I have, she’s always my number one. Whenever I’m getting ready at home for an event, I always ask her for suggestions.
Sharmistha: It’s true; she doesn’t even check the time! She just calls to ask me what she should wear. (Both laugh)
Sauraseni: I remember one time I had a show abroad, and it was 3am here... I didn’t even realise. I called her to ask if I should wear a bindi or not. (Laughs) Her decision is always final!

Who’s raiding whose wardrobe here?

Sauraseni: I often raid my mom’s wardrobe for clothes, so picking out a sari for her today was tough. I love it all! Finally, I had to go with something that would match my outfit. My mom wears my jewellery a lot!
Sharmistha: Yes! When we shop together for jewellery, I often suggest her to buy the ones I like.
Sauraseni: And don’t forget my lipsticks! Our foot sizes are the same too...
Sharmistha: And the bags!
Sauraseni: Exactly! We don’t really squabble over stuff, except maybe with lipsticks. (Both laugh)
Sharmistha: She claims she buys the bags for me, but she ends up using them most of the time. And if I see a lipstick shade I like of hers, I definitely keep it with me.

Sauraseni, your mother has also been very supportive of your career right from your modelling days...

Sauraseni: My mom’s support has been unwavering. Even now, when I have morning shoots — I’m definitely not a morning person — she wakes up first. No matter the call time, she wakes up and makes a cup of black coffee for me, even if it is 3am in the morning. In the past, she would skip meals until I got back home, but I told her to take care of her health and not do that any more.. And whenever I can’t find my things, she magically knows where they are. (Laughs)

Did Sauraseni always want to become an actor?

Sharmistha: When she was just eight or nine, we sent her to participate in a game show, and that opened the door for her modelling career. We never planned on introducing her to this field, but that was the start of her journey.

How are you planning to spend Puja this year?

Sauraseni: I’ll have work during Puja, but she makes sure all my outfits and jewellery are ready for all days. We set aside one day to spend together. That day is all about maa and baba, and we like to eat out. I also have plans to catch up with friends who live outside the city and are coming to Calcutta for Durga Puja.
Sharmistha: In the past, we never skipped visiting pandals. But now I am happy that she chooses to spend at least one day with us despite being busy with work and friends during Puja.
Sauraseni: Maa is just happy if I get her VIP passes from the popular pandals that I visit! Secret revealed! (Laughs)

Everyone who works with her knows that Sauraseni loves gossiping, is she also the gossip queen at home?

Sauraseni: No, at home that would be my mother! She’s always active on social media, and even if I’m asleep, she’s scrolling through. Where do you think I get the gossips from? She keeps me updated! (Both laugh)
Sharmistha: I like to stay active on social media and see what’s going on in her life too. (Laughs)
Sauraseni: She stalks me! (Laughs)

Hair and make-up: Tapsee Paul
Location: This Must Be The Place