I’ve finally learnt driving. That’s my return gift to Sanjay: Rituparna

She’s been ruling Bengal’s big screens for quite a while now, and yet, Rituparna Sengupta is nowhere near her career’s climax. Rather, as she often puts it, there’s still a long road ahead. But the road to her birthday — which happens to be today — has led her to

Singapore

, where she’s having a blast with her husband, Sanjay. Speaking to us over phone, the powerhouse actress revealed her birthday plans and lots more. Excerpts:

Wish you a very happy birthday. How has the last year been?
Thank you for your wish. And let me tell you, birthdays make me feel a year younger now. I’m still a little girl at heart. As for the past year, it has been like a mixed bag! I travelled a lot and worked in meaningful films. But my daughter Rishona had to be hospitalised with dengue during Durga Puja, so we really had a rough time. I spent Puja at the hospital.
How are you celebrating your special day?
I’m in Singapore with my husband Sanjay! You can say it’s our ‘we time’ (laughs)! I guess he has arranged a party, but I’m not too sure. But I have a return gift for him. I promised him that I’ll learn how to drive and I did it! It was my birthday resolution last year. I will take him out for a drive today! I did drive a car for the film, Ekti
Cinemar Golpo, in

Bangladesh

.

So, what’s your birthday resolution this year?
To always have a positive mindset and not get affected by any kind of negativity. I’m working on my time management skills and I guess I have improved a bit (laughs). Apart from that, I have to be more mature so that I can handle all my emotional upheavals well. I should let my head rule me rather than my heart. And most importantly, I should be able to mention more meaningful roles in my resume.

We heard you are writing a book?
Yes, I am. By my next birthday, I should be able to release it. The book is all about my thoughts and mantras in life. I am also working on two dance dramas, which I want to stage on a grand scale the next year. I am keen on producing short films, which will have a take on issues in society. I’m mentally training myself to don the
director’s hat. For that, I need to know a lot about direction.
Work wise, Rituparna is going great guns…
Yes, by the grace of god. Three of my films — Baranda, Kiriti, Bhalobashar Bari — will be releasing soon. I just completed shooting for Jihad, Aneshon, Colours of Life, Rang Beronger Kori, Drubho Kotha, Basu Poribar, Ekti Cinemar Golpo and some more. I will also start shooting for Kaushik Ganguly’s and

Kamleswar Mukherjee

’s films. Shibu (Shiboprosad Mukherjee) too offered me a film, but my dates are clashing with Kaushikda’s film. If we can adjust dates, then I’m also doing Shibu’s film. So I can’t complain! An artiste is never satisfied; my appetite to do more meaningful films is there
and will always be there.