Debasree Roy gifts a flower to an old man at the Raidighi karmi sabha

Who: Debasree Roy, dressed in a light tangail sari teamed with canvas shoes.

What: Karmi sabha sessions, a party workers’ meet made mandatory for all candidates by Mamata Banerjee before they launch into a full-fledged campaign. There are 17 gram panchayats in Raidighi Debasree has to cover.

First stop: The car that started out from Deshapriya Park in south Calcutta comes to a halt at Dighirpaar Bakultala in Raidighi, some 90km and an hour and 45 minutes away. This is Debasree’s first stop on Friday afternoon and the 11th of her karmi sabha sessions.

The welcome: Debasree is a first-timer with a difference. Hordes of curious faces throng the meeting ground for a glimpse of their matinee idol. The welcoming sights and sounds get grander with each venue. If Bakultala has women blowing conch shells, showering petals and dotting her forehead with sandalwood with men chanting, “Debasree Roy swagatam! Debasree Roy swagatam!”, Pakurtala has a full-fledged brass band dressed in all finery trailing her to the small dais erected in the middle of a field fringed with Trinamul flags. With women comprising 90 percent of the congregation of around 2,000, the crowd settles down with eyes and cell cameras transfixed on the actress.

The company she keeps: She has her brother Mrigen Roy and Shomu Mitra, a friend from Mumbai, travel with her “for moral support” while central minister C.M. Jatua joins her at Diamond Harbour to guide her through Raidighi in his car to the appointed karmi sabha venues. Also accompanying her from this point is Monmohini Biswas, 35, general secretary of Diamond Harbour block 143, specially appointed by party boss Mamata and mayor Sovan Chatterjee as Debasree’s aide on her election outings at Raidighi.

What they do: Jatua steers the on-stage action as he unveils to the crowd a “jyanto Debasree”, plucked out from the screen for the people of Raidighi! Monmohini raises a victory chant: “Pabey joy, Debasree Roy!”

What she does: Swamped with bouquets, garlands and notebooks for autographs, Debasree tries hard to stop elderly women from touching her feet. She gently tucks her pallu into the waist of her sari before starting to fling red roses at the gathering going delirious with joy.

Debasree offers a flower to a little girl at the same event. (Pictures by Aranya Sen)

What she says: “The Debasree Roy you see today is not the actress but the human being, who is here to be a part of your joy and your sorrow! I did not become successful overnight. I started as a child artiste and have had to struggle a lot to come this far. To free Shonar Bangla, come and strengthen the hands of Mamata Banerjee! For 34 years, you have voted for the same party. Try us out for five years. I’m not here just for today. I will come to each one of you so that you can tell me about your problems.” Then, clenching her fist and hitting a crescendo: “Vande Mataram!”.... “TMC zindabad!”

What happens next: Door-to-door campaign in Raidighi from Monday.

X-factor: Rani Mukerji. Yes, the star neice of the star mashi may join the campaign trail. “She’s busy with her shoots. She’s my sister’s daughter and I will never want to hamper her work but she has said she will come if she can make some time,” smiles Debasree.

A RAPID-FIRE ROUND BETWEEN KARMI SABHAS

Why politics?

People watch films to get entertained. That is also a way of serving people which I’ve been doing since childhood. I’ve also been working for animals for the past five years. If I can serve animals I can serve people. Amar intention seba kora. I had no plans nor did I calculate my steps. Didi amay bolechhey, aar aami jhapiye porechhi.

Why Trinamul?

I have seen Didi struggle and move forward all by herself. It’s the same for me. I too have had to go through a lot of struggles all my life. I find a lot of similarities with her.

Why Raidighi?

This was decided by Didi. She must have had a reason why she felt that Debasree would be right for that area.

What are the people saying?

Change, poribartan chaichhey bhishon bhabey.

Your thoughts on your opponent, CPM veteran Kanti Ganguly?

I don’t have anything to say.

Your campaign strategy?

I don’t have a strategy. Aami mon thekey lorai korchhi.

Your message to the voters?

There’s just one thing I have to say. For many years they have seen me act, loved me and blessed me. So I hope they do the same and give me the chance to work for five years. Jodi kaaj na kortey pari chhurey phele deben.

Do you turn to Mamata for advice?

Oboshhoyi. She gives me a lot of advice. She was very close to my mother and she’s always been very fond of me. It’s hard for me to recollect how long I’ve actually known her. It was Didi who gave the name Priyoshathi to my NGO, Debasree Roy Foundation.

What poll advice does she have for you?

She is so relaxed and assured that whenever I go to her feeling a little tense she just laughs and tells me ‘Jao jao aagey Raidighi jao tarpor kotha hobey’.

What about campaign funds?

The party is providing everything.

How tuned into politics are you?

Like normal people, reading newspapers, watching the news. I didn’t really have too many friends from this field apart from maybe Tapas (Paul) or Satabdi (Roy).

So, no films, only poll?

Aami kono kaaj rakhini. I just have a four-hour shoot on 27th for a film called Life In Park Street. The dates were already given and had to be adjusted with Soumitra Chatterjee but I’ll head to Raidighi once I’m done…. Whether I win or lose I will remain with Didi.

Finally, Rani’s reaction to all this?

Rani was so shocked that she exclaimed over the phone ‘Eta ki holo? Electioney? Aami toh shopneo bhabtey parchhi na!’ But she’s very optimistic and told me, ‘Best of luck, mashi! I’ll pray to god everyday for you. I know you’ll win’.”