I believe buying gold on Dhanteras brings good luck: Subhashree

A doting mother, a loving wife, a dutiful daughter, and a hardworking actor – she has added several feathers to her cap. In the 15 years she has spent in the industry, Subhashree Ganguly’s acting skills have indeed evolved, but her trademark smile has remained intact. When Calcutta Times met her for an exclusive chat and photo shoot at Archisman Roy Banerjee’s heritage house in north Kolkata, Subhashree told us about Diwali plans, the significance of the festival in her life, her work experiences and more.Excerpts:
How has your journey of 15 years in this industry been?
Fabulous! It has been a roller-coaster ride, but each experience helped me become who I am today. Both ups and downs helped me to evolve as a person, which eventually helped me in my career. I am an extremely positive person, so I have always tried to look at the positive aspect of everything – be it in my personal or professional life. I am grateful to my audience and the industry people who have been part of my journey.
You started your career by doing out-an-out commercial films. But now we see you in different types of movies. Are you happy with the kind of work you are doing?
Yes, I am happy. But the problem is an actor cannot be fully content as the urge to do meatier characters and more hard-hitting films is constantly there. And I feel all films are commercial films and there can be only good and bad films, not different kinds of films.
Those who know you personally say that you are an excellent homemaker too...
I love to keep my family happy. Seeing them smile brings me joy. I grew up with my cousins, so I love to be around people and host them at my place. My son also loves being surrounded by people. Actually, acting is just my profession; at home, I am Subho – the girl next door (smiles).
Coming back to celebrations, how was Durga Pujo for you?
Fantastic! After two years of the pandemic, it was a kind of revenge year for all (laughs)! And Yuvaan, who is now two years old, has started understanding what Pujo is. He had a gala time while pandal hopping. He was particularly intrigued by Ma Durga’s bahan, the lion. At every pandal, Yuvaan was shouting ‘Ma Durga and lion, lion’ (laughs).

What are your plans for Diwali?
Diwali has always been one of my favourite festivals. The brightness all around symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and evil. With every lamp we light at our home, we hope and pray for light in our mind and heart so that we can see positivity all around. Kali Pujo is organised at our ancestral home in Burdwan, so we will go there. All my 24 cousins visit and we have a blast. I have to come back and attend Kali Pujo at my brother’s place too. I remember in my childhood, Diwali celebrations used to continue till Bhai Phonta. But then it used to be more about Kali Pujo
than Diwali.
Are you happy with the initiatives being taken to ensure we have a green Diwali?
Absolutely. Let’s help our next generation enjoy a pollution-free Diwali with no smoke and sound. I have started decorating my house with earthen diyas, flowers and rangoli. Using diyas instead of lights saves electricity. I welcome the Calcutta High Court’s direction that only green firecrackers bearing QR codes will be imported and sold in West Bengal. Each of us should ensure that we don’t indulge in bursting crackers as the smoke is dangerous for everyone. Firecrackers are also a nightmare for the animals. Let’s make this Diwali a festival of lights and not pollution or a sonic boom event.
Have you been against bursting crackers since childhood?
No, I used to love bursting crackers with my cousins all night on Kali Pujo. But ever since I realised how harmful it is to the environment, I have refrained from using firecrackers.
Do you wear new clothes on Diwali?
Of course. I also complement it with the jewellery that Raj (Chakrabarty) buys for me on Dhanteras. I believe buying gold or silver on Dhanteras is auspicious.
We heard that you advocate sustainable fashion.
I always try to wear sustainable clothes. Age-old handwoven saris like Kanjeevaram, Benarasi and jamdani are priceless possessions that we pass on to the next generation. Like the black Benarasi sari I wore for this shoot belongs to my grandmother, but it has been preserved well. We should aim to achieve a carbon-neutral fashion industry, keeping in mind animal welfare and ecological integrity.
What’s happening on the work front?
I am busy shooting for Indubala. In November, I will start shooting for Indraadip Dasgupta’s film opposite Abir Chatterjee.
Are you part of the Hindi version of Raj Chakrabarty’s Parineeta?
No, I am not acting in it, but I am associated with the film’s production.
Pic: Somnath Roy; makeup: Babusona Saha; hair: Sima Ghosh; styling: Sandy