Jaya Seal: Mad about movies!

It wouldn���������t be wrong to say that 2009 has been a year of comebacks for mommies in Tollywood. First it was Aprita, and now comes the news of Jaya Seal Ghosh returning to the big screen.
The actor has okayed Raj Mukherjee���������s Prithibi Amake Chai. Shooting for the film will begin this month. About his cast, Raj says, ���������I���������ve been wanting to make this film for long.The subject is challenging and unlike what���������s attempted in mainstream Bengali cinema. I was looking for a particular kind of a profile when actor Sreelekha Mitra suggested that I could get in touch with Jaya. At that point in time, I didn���������t know that Jaya would be keen on doing movies again. But when I approached her, I found her enthusiastic. Meanwhile, my producer, who is a history professor from Punjab, came down to the city and we decided to start shooting. Jaya will play a symbolic character.���������
Jaya, of course, is very excited about the project. ���������I met Sreelekha recently and told her that now that my son has grown up, I am seriously considering a comeback. Although offers have been coming my way, I was only interested in something that truly excited me. I was offered a character of an intellectual mad woman who recites Dante and Tagore and makes allusions to Gallelio too. There is a scene where I���������ll be required to dance in a trance. Since I love dancing, I thought this role would give me enough opportunity to do my kind of cinema. Shooting for the film will be wrapped up by this month since the makers want to send it to festivals in February.���������
Meanwhile, Sreelekha has also been approached for the film. ���������Amit Banerjee, an NSD graduate, has been signed on for a pivotal role. Subhayu will be scoring the music for the film,��������� Raj signs off.
Did you miss doing movies all these years?
Sometimes, yes. Films are in my blood. My father has been a film distributor. So, it���������s only natural for me to miss doing films. But what worked for me is that Bickram and I love movies. Hence, we would watch and discuss films. That way, I still felt connected with movies.
Was there any offer that you regret not having taken up?
Yes. Rituparno Ghosh had first offered me Khela. Manisha Koirala went on to do the role after I couldn���������t accept it. My son, Tatin, was only six months old then and I couldn���������t to go to shoot for the film in Kalimpong. That���������s been a lifetime miss for me. Thrice, I was asked to return to doing Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. But, I didn���������t agree. It was completely my choice not to do films or television during this period. I wanted to give time to my family. I believe in God and destiny. I think it is for a reason that I���������ve now been offered a role of this magnitude. Those who want me to work, will now offer me roles that suit me.
Will you have any fixed hours for shooting?
While I understand that films can���������t suffer, I am also very concerned about my family. Bickram is an understanding husband. I am ready to strike a balance between work and home.
Having not done films for quite a few years, do you notice any change in Tollywood?
I think the change has been pretty drastic. Earlier, only two kinds of films were made in Bengal. One was serious cinema and the other was completely commercial. Now, there is a third point of view from which crossover films are being made. Films like Chalo... Let���������s Go, Bong Connection and Aamra have resulted from that urge of making midstream cinema.
What���������s been Bickram���������s contribution in your comeback?
It was his idea that I take to dance when I wasn���������t doing movies. He has always wanted me to fulfil my artistic needs. We had jointly discussed that it���������s time I did movies again. He is extremely happy with my comeback. I must also convey my gratitude to my in-laws who have been extremely supportive about my decision to make a comeback. They���������ve prayed for me and have always
encouraged me to do my kind of cinema.
Are there any no-nos for you on screen?
I always bear in mind that I am a daughter, a wife and a mother. That���������s my upbringing. I wouldn���������t want to do a film that my son wouldn���������t like to watch. Not wanting to do intimate scenes has nothing to do with me being married to Bickram. I would have done the same had I married someone else. I know I can���������t be free on screen if I have to do intimate scenes. And if I can���������t be free with my body, there is no point agreeing to do such a scene.
Would you have accepted if you were offered Hothat Neerar Jonnyo today?
Not at all. In fact, I had initially said no to the offer. I agreed only because of the role and the subject. Today, I wouldn���������t accept a film like HNJ.
Won���������t Bengali cinema miss out on a good actor if you have this attitude because not every actor has the sensibility to do mature roles?
It���������s about my belief. At this point of time in my life, I don���������t want to do such roles. I am sure there are others who will do it. I am spiritually inclined and see cinema as an art form in my new journey in life.
Does that mean you wouldn���������t do a role like what Kate Winslet has done in The Reader?
I can���������t do it and will not do it. I���������ve learnt from mistakes in the past. Today, I am sure of what I want from life and what will give me pleasure.
Many believe that you���������ve changed Bickram a lot from his earlier self. Do you agree?
I���������d agree in parts. I feel this side to Bickram was always there. He just needed someone to help him express it. When I first met Bickram, he had told me that I help him to bring out a side of
himself that has often not been reflected in his ways. Today, he is a family person. We like sharing time together. Neither Bickram nor I like to go to parties without each other.
Is he scared of you?
(Laughs) Yes. He is scared of my mood and vice-versa.