Tamasha Chakraborty. Picture by Anup Bhattacharya

Seventeen year old Tamasha Chakraborty is a dancer-turned-singer-turned actress, who handles all her hobbies and her studies with equal elan. A student of Class XI in Ramkrishnapur High School, Tamasha is studying at home while preparing to take on the lights and camera in one of Rajib Biswas’s upcoming films.

Although the name of the film is yet to be decided, Tamasha has been promised a role in the film by Biswas. She has been one of his favourite debutants when she started her career in TV serials way back in 2004. At that time, Tamasha was a dancer and would often participate at dance programmes and competitions. It was at one such competition, where Tamasha won the first prize that someone associated with the television industry noticed her.

“The person had approached my mother and asked her whether she would let me work in TV serials. My mother agreed and I was called to work for a weekly series called Ek Saptaher Golpo on Akash Bangla,” said Tamasha.

Rajib Biswas, the director of this weekly series, helped her in front of the camera. While working for this series, Tamasha got offers for a number of soaps like Erao Satru aired on Zee Bangla and Phagun Legeche Bone Bone on ETV Bangla. Her last serial was Parichay on Mahua Bangla. “I played a character named Monica who became the lead character in the latter part of the serial,” said Tamasha. She had also done a telefilm called Ghumur based on a girl who loved to dance.

Tamasha’s entry into the television industry was through dance. She loved to dance since she was two. But she had to give it up because of her mother’s illness. “My mother fell severely ill and could not accompany me to my dance classes. She wouldn’t let me go too far on my own. Since my mother was a classical singer herself, she encouraged me to learn singing and would teach me at home,” said Tamasha.

She then took to singing. “I was already singing at that time with a band. After I left dance, I started taking formal training in classical music from Nabbyendu Bhattacharya, who lives in Icchapur,” said Tamasha.

Studies are equally important for this girl, who likes to balance both her worlds. “I think my studies are as important as shooting and working in serials. During exams, I carry my books to shooting and study between shots. I think I can do both if I manage my time well,” said Tamasha. The little that she has seen of the industry, Tamasha likes it very much. “It is a good place and I think if I can keep clear of trouble, nothing should affect me,” she said.

In acting, Tamasha does not have a role model. “I don’t like to imitate anyone. I have been guided by people, who have been around me all the time, starting with my mother at home. Yes, I do miss my maternal grandmother a lot, who would have been proud to see that I am trying to achieve something on my own,” said Tamasha. As she is not working in any particular serial right now, Tamasha is concentrating on her film. “Rajibkaku told me that I will be cast in his film and I am waiting for him. Apart from that, I am trying to concentrate on my studies at the moment,” said Tamasha.

More about tamasha

• DoB: May 12, 1996
• Born in: Howrah
• Family: Parents
• Education: Studying in Class XI
• Loves: Listening to music, shopping and reading
• Hates: Making loose comments