~KONKONA SEN SHARMA FC ~ New article p.61 - Page 36

Garden Terrace is a striking high-rise in Mumbai's far-flung suburbs behind a drab restaurant called Kancha Bar. The view from the sprawling 9th floor five bedroom apartment is breathtaking, not in terms of being ostentatious but elegant. Konkona Sen Sharma strolls in smiling, looking sweet and vulnerable in her pyjamas and a tee. That could be her biggest connect to the audience. Her simplicity and girl-next-door looks. No wonder, despite her unique selection of roles, films are happening. She flops on the settee by the French windows, where the drapes are drawn to keep the harsh sun rays away. She has just completed Ayan Mukerjee's Wake Up Sid and is looking forward to the release of Vinay Shukla's Mirch, besides she is going through a couple of scripts.

"I don't go out looking for challenging roles, so as to say. Films like Metro and Luck By Chance fell into my lap. The script has to touch me in some way. It could be a typical commercial film, a humourous story or a simple one. And I have said yes instantly to 80 per cent of the films that have come my way, be it mom's films, Mirch or Wake Up Sid," she says snuggling up a silken cushion.

In fact, she is super-excited about ...Sid in which she plays a post-graduate student who dreams of becoming a film director. She is paired opposite Ranbir Kapoor and the film touches upon the relationship between an older woman and a younger man. Of course, she wishes people would stop harping on the age difference!

"It's not as if we are a decade apart in age. It's only about being three-four years, which is not much in today's times," she retorts a wee bit annoyed.

She's sure that Mirch, the story about four women, (she and Raima Sen play two roles each) will bring a change in people's perspective about todays young women. In the lesser known Right Ya Wrong she plays a lawyer.

Considering that she never really harboured any ambitions of becoming an actor and would have been happy working in a magazine as a journalist, Konkona Sen Sharma has made a mark for herself as a formidable actor. What is the best thing about being an actor? How does she tackle a role?

"Our work is project-based, so every film means a new set of people, new locations and of course different characters. That's good fun. But I never work consciously on my roles. Sometimes workshops are held and at times there are rehearsals before we start shooting for a film. That helps in getting to know my character. Then directors like Ayan Mukerjee really push an actor. We had many readings before we embarked on ...Sid," she says.

Of course there are times when things do not work out as planned. Some of her films like debutant director Venod Mitra's Meridian and Rituparno Ghosh's Sunglass have been made, but she does not know when they will release. Then there are some films that she regrets doing, but would prefer not to name them.

"That wouldn't be fair would it as at that stage I must have wanted to do them," she says.

Doesn't she nurse ambitions of becoming a director like her mother, Aparna Sen? It is likely, that like her mother she will have a unique vision of her own and the film would be something to look forward to.

"I will only direct a film, if I want to say anything and can say it with a film. Whenever I feel that urge, I will make a movie and it will be a small intimate film. But I don't see it happening in the near future."

What about working with her mother in a film?

"Mom and I are both busy. She's travelling and I am busy with my work. Hopefully, by the end of the year we will be doing a film together. And I am sure we will be at a better footing now, as I feel so much older now. I remember when we were shooting for Mr And Mrs Iyer she would scold me the most. One day a whole group of us forgot to get our scripts but she only yelled at me," she laughs.

When not working Konkona likes to travel and if at home, likes to laze around her apartment. "I am a cleanliness freak and keep putting things in place. I never took to cooking but can toss up some nice bhindis and dal."

She loves to sing and dance and points out at a big screen at the far end of a room, saying that she loves to have friends over regularly for a session of karaoke.

Talking about living with beau Ranvir Shorey and the best thing about being in a relationship, she says that she does not generally like to talk about her personal life, "But yes, if one is in love and in a relationship one feels good as there is always someone you like being with. Otherwise I am not a very romantic person and don't go overboard in expressing my love. In fact, Titanic, which the world found romantic, did not appeal to me. I think it went over the top," she says, sipping in on the tangy nimbu paani.

Interestingly, Konkona is all set to start rehearsing for director Atul Kumar's play The Blue Mug, which also has Ranvir in it! "I have done theatre before, but this is the first time I will be on stage in Mumbai. I am looking forward to it," she trails off.