Never before felt so conscious of things I say: Konkona

Actress-director Konkona Sen Sharma says she feels conscious about the things she says or feels because of society becoming less liberal.

"It makes me feel uncomfortable and insecure. I have never before felt so conscious of things I say or how I feel. I think the crux of it is we have to accept that there are seven billion plus people in the world and we are all not the same and it is ok. There are so many different kinds of culture in the world and there are so many things there to divide us," said Konkona on CNN-News18's show "Off Centre".

The actress added: "We have created so many things to divide us that we forget that we have so much common humanity between us. Whether we identify ourselves by gender, sexuality, race, religion or country, we are just finding ways and ways of dividing us into smaller and smaller."

Konkona says that people should concentrate on more ways of inclusion.

"If people concentrate on more ways of inclusion and celebrate those differences and recognise that people who are different are not a threat, I think this is the crux of most of the problems in the world," she said.

Konkona has acted in various films such as "Page 3" for which she received a National Award. She made her debut as a child artist in the Bengali film "Indira". In 2000, she made her adult debut in the Bengali film "Ek Je Aachhe Kanya".

She makes her debut as a director with "A Death In The Gunj".

Talking about donning the director's hat, Konkona said: "You really have to learn that kind of focus, concentration about yourself so that you can operate in a really chaotic surrounding, in a stressful set. That has been a great learning in itself."

The 37-year-old actress says she is completely the opposite now as a filmmaker.

"I feel like my brain has become scrambled and dripped down my body. You are so much more responsible that I would think 10 times before I think to direct a film than I have to act in a film. Because when I am acting in a film it is just not my responsibility," she said.

Konkona said to direct again she really needs to be convinced of an idea.

"A Death In The Gunj" is set in 1979 when a family goes for a holiday and is interrupted by a death. This movie has been shown at many film festivals including the MAMI Mumbai film festival.

It stars an ensemble cast of Vikrant Massey, Tillotama Shome, Om Puri, Tanuja, Gulshan Devaiah, Kalki Koechlin, Jim Sarbh and Ranvir Shorey.

The episode will be aired on Saturday.