In the anthology film Bhutopurbo, Sandipta Sen takes on the role of Tilottoma in the segment Shikar, adapted from a work by Manoj Sen. Set in the haunting aftermath of the India-China war, this psychological horror follows Tilottoma, a young widow, as she spirals into crime and moral darkness alongside Purnendu, played by Suhotra Mukhopadhyay. But while the on-screen world is dark and eerie, Sandipta herself is anything but afraid of ghosts! In a t2 chat, she revealed that she actually loves listening to ghost stories and isn’t scared of spooky stuff at all. Quite the opposite of her character, Sandipta finds thrill in the supernatural and spooky tales.
Tell us about your character and look in the film.
I said ‘yes’ to the film for three very specific reasons. First and foremost, my character is beautifully written. I play Tilottama, a widow who lost her husband at a very young age. She carries within her a lifetime of pent-up emotions — from grief to longing, and even unfulfilled physical and psychological needs. It’s this emotional depth and the quiet complexity of her inner world that truly drew me in. There are so many layers to Tilottama, and portraying her felt both challenging and deeply rewarding. Secondly, the story is based on Shikar. The film Bhutopurbo is an anthology, with each segment adapted from powerful literary works. The opportunity to bring such a story to life on screen was incredibly meaningful to me. And, of course, the third reason, the ghosts! There’s something so culturally rich and nostalgic about ghost stories in Bengal. Bengalis have a long-standing love for the supernatural, whether it’s hearing ghost stories from grandparents or watching eerie tales unfold on the screen. That blend of folklore and fear is something I personally enjoy as well.
As for Tilottama’s look in the film, it’s very simple and subdued, which I loved. I’ve always gravitated towards minimal styling, where less is more. The simplicity of her appearance allows her expressions and inner turmoil to speak louder than any costume could. That kind of rawness and realism is something I find very powerful.
How was the shooting experience?
The shooting experience was really enjoyable and quite unique. Since the film is an anthology, each story was shot separately with its own cast and crew. We shot my part at a beautiful yet eerie rajbari in Baruipur, which is said to be haunted. So, of course, that added a whole other layer to the experience! The location itself had a mood that suited the story perfectly. It was my first time working with Suhotro, and I truly enjoyed collaborating with him. Both Kakoli (Ghosh) and Avinab (Mukherjee) (directors) are new voices in cinema, and it was refreshing to work with them. I loved their vision and the way they approached storytelling. It was a memorable experience, filled with new collaborations and a slightly spooky yet creatively charged atmosphere.
Do you like listening to or watching horror stories?
I absolutely love horror, whether I’m alone or with others, I enjoy watching horror films, series, and listening to spooky stories.
We get scared of a lot of things, not just ghosts! How do you cope with fear?
Fear is such a natural emotion, whether it’s fear of failure, the unknown, or something more tangible. I try to face it rather than run away from it. Sometimes that means sitting with the fear, understanding it, and taking small steps forward. Meditation and grounding exercises help me a lot. I also try to remind myself that fear often loses its power the moment you look it in the eye.
Which horror movie scared you the most?
One of my recent favourites is Veronica. I loved the atmosphere and how it builds tension without relying too much on jump scares. The film follows a teenage girl who tries to contact her late father using a Ouija board, and things spiral out of control. It’s chilling, emotional, and stays with you long after it ends.
Was there any supernatural occurrence you experienced on the set?
No, not at all! Though I was definitely expecting something, given that we were shooting in a so-called haunted house. At times, I found myself standing alone in dark rooms, but nothing unusual happened. Interestingly, the owners of the house had a very strict rule: no shooting after 11pm. They didn’t explain why, but they were firm about it, which, honestly, added to the spooky vibe.
Have you ever faced anything scary while you were travelling?
No, I haven’t experienced anything weird, spooky, or scary during my travels.