A lifetime in films

Pushpita Mukherjee speaks of life in films and why the hits have eluded her recently
How did you come into the limelight?
Simple coincidence. In Class VII, I took part in a recitation competition.
Goutam Sengupta, who is associated with group theatre, invited me and my parents to one of his shows. The day we went, he offered me a role in one of his upcoming projects.
Starting off with stage, why did you forsake it?
I do miss stage. Things weren’t so bad when I started off. Rangmahal, Bishorupa, Bijan would be full to the brim almost everyday.
Sharing the stage with Robi Ghosh, Soumitra Chatterjee, Tapas Pal, Sreela Majumdar and Sumitra Mukherjee was a great experience.
How did you venture into television?
Director Sanjay Halder (Indrani Halder’s father) saw me in Chhuti Chhuti and offered me the lead in his serial, Nobi Ganjer Doitto. As luck would have it, Jagannath Guha saw me in that serial and cast me in an important role opposite Shankar Chakraborty in Monorama Cabin. After that offers came pouring in.
Were you lucky in case of films too?
I was shooting in NT1 for a serial when director Bodhisatta Majumder asked me to meet Probhat Roy. The next thing I know I had bagged a role in his film, Lathi.
Eleven years and 20 films later, do producers consider you bankable?
I am ill-fated in that department. Also, my PR skills are suspect. Though my films, Lathi, Protibad, Sathi, Nater Guru, Champion, Akrosh, Dosor turned out to be BO hits, my roles failed to leave a mark.
Commercial directors prefer sticking to the tried-and-tested formula for guaranteed results.
But why blame the audience when you did a blink-and-a-miss role in Dosor?
How could I refuse Rituda? I am waiting for Khela as I play an important character in this film.
Any film where you play the lead?
In Jodi Kagoje Lekho Nam.
Why are you missing from the telly circuit at times?
It’s just that I never got any work after Ekdin Protidin.
Earlier, you had said that you won’t be doing negative roles post Ekdin Protidin. But in Bijoyini, your character has negative shades...
That’s because I didn’t want to be typecast. When Kushal Chakraborty offered me Nupur’s role in Bijoyini, I had to accept it as I was jobless then.
With seven megas in hand, how do you manage time?
I’ve honed my skills in that area. In Raja ar Gaja, I essay a comic role called Khedi.
In Sanai, Meghmala is an innocent girl while in Khuje Berai Kachher Manush, I play a lawyer, Soma Banerjee. Nira is a married woman in Kakhono Megh Kakhono Brishti and Roopkatha is a doctor in Jaya.
You are acting for 11 years but only once did you receive an award. Isn’t it sad?
It’s indeed frustrating! I only received the award for the Best Supporting Actress for the film, Abar Ashbo Phire. But I was nominated the Best Actor in a negative role for Ekdin Protidin and Best Supporting Actor for Ek Akasher Niche. People say manipulation works behind all these awards but I lack the capacity to manipulate also!
Don’t you think you should lose weight?
I know, I should. When it comes to exercise, I find 101 excuses of not getting time to do it! But is there any director who will cast me in a lead role if I shed those extra kilos?
Why are you missing from a reality show (dance) which is on air now?
I am not comfortable shaking a leg.
What about anchoring?
I love anchoring but how can I do it unless I get a chance?
Won’t you try your luck with Balaji and Anurag Basu?
I always come to know about the auditions once they are over!
Is marriage on the cards?
Maybe, next year. I failed to find Mr Right. So, my parents are all set to shoulder the responsibility.