Childhood is often defined by moments of joy and discovery. In the late 1980s or early 1990s, even if life was lived in the slow lane, teenagers would spend more time outdoors, playing cricket, football or other games with no regard for time or place. Very rarely, they would get the permission to watch a film that would leave a deep impact. For Koel Mallick, it was Sonar Kella. She remembers watching it on television. “I loved the film. The best part about a Ray film is that as you grow older, you start interpreting it in so many other ways,” says Koel, whose latest film’s title not only pays tribute to Satyajit Ray’s film but also is shot in the same place. Koel Mallick returns as psychiatrist Ruby Chatterjee in Sonar Kellay Jawker Dhan — the third part in the Jawker Dhan franchise. A t2 chat with Koel...

Have you decided on the number of films you would like to shoot in a year?

I have always been choosy about films. Also, I love to stay at home when I am not shooting or promoting my films. Both Kabir and Kavya are my priority now. When it comes to my profession, I am committed to my audience. I have been blessed to have worked for so many years. If I am excited by a character or a script or a role that I have never done before, or some interesting story I want to tell my audience, then I would love to be a part of that film. But I have never thought of any number in my mind... from the beginning of my career. There have been years when I have shot for five films in a year, and at times I have shot for two. Earlier, my average would be three, maybe.

Do you go through scripts now on a regular basis?

Reading scripts is very time-consuming. Then one has to talk about the film. The entire process takes almost four hours. I listen to the synopsis first and if that excites me, then I go ahead and ask that person to write the script. And then I go through it. There is a particular energy that comes with a script. The actor also carries that energy within. I also want to make sure it goes with the energy I have right at this moment. I cannot sign very depressing films at this point in time. The script has to have a lot of sunshine. The script needs to have depth, definitely. But it cannot take me into a dark space. I’d rather be part of films which match my energy, where I know that I’ll be doing justice to that kind of script.

Why did you say ‘yes’ to this film?

It is a successful franchise and a very interesting thriller. The film shows that Mukul has grown up and we get to see what is happening in Mukul’s life. It is a magnum opus and has a lot of adventure in it. We have shot it in all the lanes and bylanes of Jaisalmer.

Have you been to Rajasthan before this?

Yes, I have with my family... but I shot there for the first time for Sonar Kellay... Rajasthan is beautiful. We shot in a couple of mahals. We had the delicacy Dal Bati Churma with dollops of ghee. Sonar Kellay... is a cinematic experience. It has got a lot of grandeur, excitement and adventure.

Do you remember the first time you watched Sonar Kella?

I saw it on television during our vacation. I loved the film. The best part about a Ray film is that as you grow older, you start interpreting it in so many other ways.

Has Kabir seen the teaser and trailer of Sonar Kellay Jawker Dhan?

Kabir has loved it. While we were shooting the climax, I would send Kabir pictures of our shoot. There were scenes where we were on camels... and Kabir would say, “Mama, I would also like to get on a camel!” He was fascinated by it. Kabir mostly watches Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck shows. He has seen a few scenes of this film... but we need to wait for a few more years before he can see an entire film.

Will Sonar Kellay... be the first film that he’ll get to watch after a few years?

Yes! Among all my films, I would like him to watch Sonar Kellay... first in a couple of years. One day, while we were shooting in Calcutta, Kabir dropped by. We were shooting in front of a cave with a lot of sculptures around, and he got very excited. It gave off a very Indiana Jones kind of vibe, and he was intrigued.

Was this the first time he saw you shooting for a film?

For a film, yes... but he had seen me shooting for the Mahalaya show first... so now, whenever he sees me stepping out for a shoot, he feels that I will become Ma Durga. He always searches for the third eye. He understood the meaning of a shoot with the Mahalaya show, where he saw me as Ma Durga.

What do you tell Kabir when you leave for film promotions now?

I tell him that I have to talk about the film. He is a superhero fan and occasionally watches clips of the Marvel movies. But I keep a check on what he is watching. I try to limit his screen time. He gets maybe five to seven minutes. If something is educational, then it is fine. He loves to draw, and sometimes he watches clips of paintings and drawings. I let him watch it for five to seven minutes. This generation is growing up so fast. I get to learn so many things from him.

There is so much space for imagination.

Yes. I read articles about kids getting bored now. I don’t understand it. We were never bored as children. We knew about so many things to keep us entertained. I have got him a lot of board games. He has so many questions for me. I make it a point to give him all the answers. This is a very curious brain and a very curious time. I always encourage him to be so, because in that way, he will gain knowledge. I make it a point to listen to everything that he says and give all the answers. I listen to him very carefully. For him, it is very important.

It is a very impressionable age. You have to mould your children the way you want them to be for life. I give him board games or puzzles, so that his brain is always working. I tell him to repeat after me: ‘Sugar will give me cavities”. And then he says: “Mama, is it alright if I have a bite of chocolate?!”

Tell us more about your process of acting… how has it evolved over the years? How do you approach a scene now?

I don’t like to overthink. I don’t want to take it as a task. When I get my script in hand, I make it a point to completely know my script well. It is something that comes automatically to me. That is my basic homework. I know all that there is to know about my character… for example, the background she is coming from. It is important to get the graph right of the person you are portraying. Life experiences help in understanding the character. And many things come to your mind regarding the character sketch when you read the script as many times as possible.

 Location courtesy: Hyatt Regency Kolkata

 Styling: Sumit Sinha
Make-up: Prosenjit Dey
Hair stylist: Sima Ghosh
Outfit: Bobo Calcutta
Jewellery: Runway Hit