People have warmed up to my straightforwardness: Gargee

Her last release, Hemanta, didn't leave a mark with the audience, but no can write off that powerhouse of talent, Gargee Roychoudhury . We've grown so used to seeing her in a sari, a la Vidya Balan, that we do a double take when she walks in for the interview in an elegant short number. ��� Aren't I looking nice? I bought this dress a while back and took up the challenge of flaunting it soon. I'm on an 800-calorie diet now, and see how I look!��� she says with a winning smile. Over a cup of green tea, the actress opened up about her next, Sudeshna Roy and Abhijit Guha's Beche Thakar Gaan -The Song of Life, industry politics and how she is unapologetically straightforward. Excerpts:Tell us about the film.The film revolves around an old age home. The social system in today's time is changing.Despite best efforts, sometimes, children cannot look after their ageing parents. So are they going to languish in their flats, lonely and waiting for the phone to ring? Or are they going to force their entry into their children's fast lives?Sunshine old age home is the brainchild of Dr Partha Sinha (Tota Roychoudhury), who has devoted his life in concretising the concept of providing a home away from home for the aged. I play Dr Paromita Sen, a young psychiatrist, estranged from her fianc��, who joins the home and brings in a lot of positive vibes.Are you an agony aunt to your friends in real life?Yes, and my friends would agree. I'm a good listener and hardly judgmental. I always put myself in others' shoes and analyse things. My character Paromita makes elderly people at the home believe that age is just a number. She brings in a new motive in their lives.While the first half of the film delves into her interactions with the inmates of the home, the second half explores her broken affair and dealings with Dr Sinha. She manages to build a new family at the home, inspiring everyone to look ahead with hope, dignity and a dash of humour.Does the film focus solely on ageing parents who've been abandoned by their children?Not at all. There are couples, who stay at the home to rediscover their youth, and then there are those who do not want to intrude in their children's lives. The film deals with the idea that elderly people have all the rights to live life on their own terms. At the home, their mantra is simple -Amra achi ebong amra thakbo. Paromita acts as a positive catalyst in this journey .Did you design your character's look for the film?It was Ranada's (Abhijit Guha) suggestion to sport short hair. The reason behind the look will reveal itself as the story unfolds.You refer Paran Bandopadhyay, who plays a pivotal role in the film, as your boyfriend...Paranda is my dushtu boyfriend! There's so much to learn from an effortless artiste like him. His humour is unmatched.Are you happy with the way your career is shaping up post Ramdhanu?I can't complain. The idea is to do worthy and meaningful work. After Ramdhanu, Khad, Bitnoon, Lorai, Nakshal, and Hemanta happened. I'll start shooting for Kamaleswar Mukherjee's next soon.Rumour has it that directors other than Sudeshna Roy and Abhijit Guha aren't keen on repeating you in their films owing to your sky-high tantrums...Ekhono bole? In that case, I've to call up each and every director I've worked with and ask them if I throw tantrums. You'd be surprised to know that I even carry food and water for myself on shoots! People tend to overlook their own mistakes but if there are such complaints against me, I'm willing to talk it out with those concerned. Besides, in near future, I might work with a director I've previously worked with. I'm immensely grateful to Sudeshnadi and Ranada for having always offered me meaty roles in their projects. Sudeshnadi introduced me to Rituparno Ghosh, post which he casted me in the popular TV series Bahanno Episode. They also offered me my first lead role opposite Prosenjit Chatterjee in Sudhu Tumi. Teen Yaari Katha, directed by them, still remains a milestone in my career.Your last film Hemanta was a debacle at the box office...Why audiences didn't appreciate a film like Hemanta is beyond me. The way Anjan Dutt adapted Hamlet in the film is praiseworthy . Perhaps, people are so appalled by all the violence they see around that they refuse to watch it on screen. We need to make simpler, feel-good films.There's a considerable age gap between you and your husband, Asoke Dasgupta. Did you draw inspiration from your own relationship while portraying Paromita, who too deals with elderly people?I've learnt to be a keen observer and a patient listener from Asoke. In the seven years that I've been with him, he's enriched me as a person and that reflects in my acting. He is my biggest critic and a great friend.Today, actresses like Vidya Balan, Kangana Ranaut and Rituparna Sengupta can carry the weight of a film entirely on their shoulders. Is Gargee capable of the same?Producers and directors have put their faith in Vidya, Kangana and Rituparna and they've proved their mettle. It's important to trust an artiste to get the best out of her. Perhaps, after Benche Thakar Gaan -The Song of Life releas es, I'll be in a better position to answer this. I've come a long way since Ramdhanu. I'm more involved in the process of filmmaking now -from pre production to publicity . So while some complain about my tantrums, I'm sure a handful find me dependable.Do you think you can romance younger heroes like Dev and Bonny? Does the generation gap bother you at this point of your career?If the script demands, why not? Today we are making new-age films where a 24 year-old guy is playing a man of 44 on screen. I'll use my age to my advantage on screen. At one point of my career, I for ayed back into small screen out of frus tration because meaningful films were not being made. But now, directors are coming up with brilliant stories. I didn'tdo a commercial film after Sudhu Tumi out of choice. I can't think of playing an 18-year-old girl, dancing around trees at this age. But I truly believe I've done justice to the films I've acted in. The way I see it, there's no extra fat in my performances -it's crisp.You've always been extremely straight forward. Does that work in your favour?People have warmed up my straightforwardness. I'm an uncomplicated person and prefer to speak my mind. In today's time, directors are open to suggestions from actors. There's a certain creative freedom that lacked back in the years. It's more of a joint effort now. I'm certain filmmakers appreciate my honesty towards my work.When you joined the film industry, did you want to be an actress or a star?(After a pause) I love acting and every thing that comes with it. Whichever character I portray , I do it with convic tion. Today , too many content-driven films are being made. Stars like Prosenjit Chatterjee and Dev are opting for de glam roles and are part of multi-starrers. For me, the strength of the script and my character matter the most. Only a few days back Sudeshnadi was telling me, ���Chokher samne obhinetri hoye uthli!���Who are your biggest competitors in the industry?I don't think about competition any more. Asoke's contribution to this positive approach of life has been tremendous. I seldom let negativity affect me. I don't have any old pictures or interviews of mine in the archive. The industry , much like life, moves on and we have to keep pace with it.It is said that the roles that are written for you are ultimately offered to Paoli. How much of this is true?(Pregnant pause) I am not aware of this.One may ask directors like Kaushik Ganguly , Shiboprosad Mukherjee and Anjan Dutt whom I've worked with. They sketched the character keeping me in mind and I've done justice to those roles.The industry works on recommendations. Actors, directors and producers try and cast their favourites in projects. In such a fraternity, who's Gargee's backbone?My body of work, honesty , perseverance and acting skills taken together is my backbone. Whatever I am today , it's because of my hard work. There must be directors who refer my name otherwise I wouldn't have acted in so many films, TV series and telefilms, right?