Konkona : All set!

'I don’t humour labels'

Aren’t you known as an industry think-tank?

Some thoughts need to go into whatever you do in life. I try to reason my decisions of taking up a project and that helps in the end.

You are seen lapping up big banner Bollywood films despite not having that perfect look. What’s the secret?

Looks aren’t that important. It’s your talent that speaks. Looks vary according to scripts. What is important to me as an actor is the ability to connect myself with the audience.

So, has Konkona finally arrived in Bollywood?

I really don’t know. I don’t plan anything in life. I was never hell-bent on working in Bollywood or walking the ramp. I’ve only done films that I have liked.

How would like to be known as a Bollywood actor or as a Tollywood star who has made it big in Bollywood?

I am a professional actor. I don’t humour labels.

Critics were raving about your performance in Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and said that you did a better job than Rani...

I beg to differ. I feel that both Rani and Jayadi were excellent in the film. Liking a certain style of acting is so subjective some liked me, some didn’t. Still others liked me more in 15 Park Avenue. These are inconsequential.

For the first time the Indian audience saw you in a glamorous role and even shaking a leg in Laaga... How did it feel?

I’m a director’s actor. I liked Pradeep Sarkar’s Parineeta and when he offered me a role in Laaga... I was only to happy to oblige. I liked myself in certain scenes and didn’t quite like myself in the rest. But this is what I feel about all my films.

Both in Laaga... and Aaja Nachle, you’ve been cast opposite Kunal Kapoor. Do we sniff a romance?

Both of us looked good in Laaga... Let’s see whether the audience likes us in Aaja Nachle. But Kunal is unbelievably tall!

Weren’t you conscious swinging and prancing before the dhak dhak queen in her comeback vehicle?

I was jittery during the initial stages of the shoot but after that I forgot who I was sharing the screen space with. Madhuri is so down-to-earth! We used to chat quite a lot and play dumb charades in between shots.

Your look in Aaja Nachle is quite deglamorised...

I play Anokhi, a tomboy with two left feet. She couldn’t care less how she looks but she grows up and gets a makeover.

What about commercial Bengali movies?

I don’t plan anything in advance. If I get the right script and director, then no matter what
language the film is made in, I will take it up. Just because I’ve done a few commercial movies in Bollywood, doesn’t mean that I’ll keep doing the same.

So, what’s keeping Konkona busy these days?

Ritu mama’s Sunglass will be releasing soon and I’ve just finished shooting for My Brilliant Brain. Talks areon with a few other directors but things are yet to fall in place.

Is language a barrier for you in Bollywood?

Not really. We get the script much in advance and I learn and rehearse the dialogues before coming to the sets.

Any plans of donning the director’s hat?

Not at the moment. I haven’t really given it a thought.

Did being Aparna Sen’s daughter help in making inroads into Bollywood?

People took notice of me because of Ma. But beyond a certain point, being a star kid doesn’t help. What counts is your talent.

How has your journey been from being Aparna Sen’s daughter to what you are today?

It’s not a journey at all. 'Aparna Sen’s daughter' and 'Konkona Sen Sharma' I am happy to embrace both the identities as I’m a happy mixture of both.

What’s your equation with Ranvir Shorey?

No comments, please!

How do you plan to celebrate your tomorrow?

I’m going to spend the day with my friends. Ma is also in Mumbai, so she is going to rustle up some of my favourite dishes. I’ve also called a bandh on the workfront!

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com