"I am a drifter": Konkona

She has worked with the best of the lot in tinsel town, from directors to co-stars


Her films have seen more critical acclaim than commercial success. And she has worked with the best of the lot in tinsel town, from directors to co-stars. From acting in films of non-conventional directors like Madhur Bhandarkar and mom Aparna Sen to hatke actors like Rahul Bose and Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma aims to work by her instincts when it comes to selecting a role. I know which director I want to work with and then read the scripts offered to me, she says.

Konkona is all thrilled about her forthcoming releases: Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, Aaja Nachle and Sunglass . Laaga...is about the journey of a woman portrayed by Rani Mukherjee. I play Rani’s younger sister. I learnt so much from Rani. She is a thorough professional and it is a delight to watch her and work with her. Besides, everybody at the sets were Bengalis-Rani, Jayaji, the director (Pradeep Sarkar). It was fun working with them.

This dusky beauty, who was earlier known only as filmmaker Aparna Sen’s daughter has carved a niche for herself in the industry. My mom is my favourite director. She’s influenced every part of my life, including my career. There will be some reflection of both my parents in whatever I do as they have equally contributed to my upbringing.

After getting the best of everything that an actor could ask for, is there something like a dream role for her? There might be a dream role for some people, not for me. All I need is to be a good entertainer. It is important to have a mutual understanding among co-stars. You can’t hate each other. Moreover, the on-screen chemistry also depends on how good an actor you are.

A day in her life would be different everyday. It mostly comprises travel, shooting for films, dubbing and photo shoots. The petite powerhouse performer says if she hadn’t been an actress she would have been a journalist or joined the world of advertising. I never had aspirations to do anything or be someone even before I started acting. Someone once told me, ‘You have a book inside you’.

How does she react to all the adulation she receives from fans? Oh, do I have many fans? she asks, sounding surprised. With a little laugh she says, Well, all my fans so far belong to a niche category and are very well brought up. They come up to me and politely tell me about my films they liked. I have never been bothered beyond an autograph or a photograph.

Is marriage with beau Ranvir Shorey on the cards? Not in the near future, at least. Be it changing the fair skinned fixation of the industry, or staying away from controversies, Konkona says she never did anything consciously. I never give these things a thought, seriously. I live life as it comes and make no plans as such. I am quite a drifter and believe in going with the flow. That’s my attitude to life, she signs off.