By her admission, Monami Ghosh wasn’t surprised when she got the offer to play Geeta Sen from Srijit Mukherji in Mrinal Sen’s biopic, Padatik. After its festival run, Padatik is set to hit the theatres on August 15. Chanchal Chowdhury plays Mrinal Sen in the film while Monami plays his wife. In a chat with OTTplay, the actress opens up about her experience of working with Srijit for the first time and explains why she doesn’t like to be confined in her comfort zone. Read on…

What was your first reaction when you were offered the character of Geeta Sen?

I was not surprised. Why shouldn’t I get a character like Geeta Sen? A good actress should be able to dance with Tapa Tini, work in music like Ailo Uma Barite, and then work on a character like Geeta Sen. This is what a versatile actor should do. This is what I want to be. Neither do I want to maintain a serious image so that I only get to work in characters like this, nor do I want to dance and sing in music videos. I think Monami Ghosh is a brand new. This brand represents acting, dance, fashion, music and everything. As an actress, I don’t just want to confine myself. I want to explore characters like Geeta Sen and other less serious roles. I want everything.

How was your experience of working with Srijit?

Fabulous experience. I worked with Srijitda for the first time. As a director, I found him very serious. I saw him as a very serious person on the set. The mood with him on the sets has been serious sans any jokes and laughter. There was something I was scared of. I was told that Srijitda yells at actors and actresses. The first day I met him over this film, I asked him if it’s true that he makes people cry on the sets. He told me that the situation would not arrive if I be the ‘Lokkhi meye’ (good girl). I then realised I am indeed the ‘good girl’ he expects from his actresses. By a good girl, he means to be prepared. I used to prepare for my shots. I memorised the script so much that I could even remember the dialogues of my other co-actors. I followed Srijitda’s instructions. I have always been serious on the set. That is who I am. My first shot was from the middle of the film. Geeta Sen gave birth while Mrinal Sen was away. The shot was the interaction between these two after they met. It was an intense scene. There were multiple shots. After the whole thing was over, Srijitda came and joked, “Hey, I am the director. Let me instruct you. You are doing it so well that I am not getting any scope to instruct you.” That was a huge compliment and encouragement for me. I was in the character even when the shot was over. I was involved completely.

We barely get to see you on the big screen. What is the reason behind that?

I know at least five directors who know I act well. I have worked with some and could not work with others. For a very long time I worked in TV and that takes a lot of an actor’s time. Since I have always played the lead, I had to turn down offers. If I would have taken those offers, the scene would have been different. In the last four and five years I took a break from TV and other things and chose a different trajectory for myself. It is like a new beginning. I have worked in Bela Seshe, Belashuru, Padatik and others. Besides, I have my music videos, etc. I appeared as a judge on a reality show with two other superstars – Dev and Mithun Chakraborty. That was huge for me. That made me think that I must have done something worthy.

What is driving you to start this new journey and break out of your comfort zone?

I don’t belong to those who refuse to get out of their comfort zone. I belong to those who dream big and never give up chasing them. There are some unrealistic dreams but I still want to chase them. That’s why I wanted to break through my comfort zone. I knew if I would not take that risk, I would not be able to chase my dreams.

You are a travel enthusiast. Do you think your love for travel makes you more courageous?

Travelling exposes me to a broader world. You meet new people and live new experiences. There are so many things in this world that are unknown to us. The moment I travel I learn new things. If you limit your world you would be confined to silly and petty ideas. You will think about your own world — if you are buying the best sari or your child is scoring the highest marks. The moment you broaden your horizon, such things become immaterial to us. There are so many things that are still unknown to us. We know so little. People earn money and buy expensive lifestyles. I earn money to travel. I make music videos from my own pocket without any sponsors. You need to be brave to take that risk.

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