Mimi Chakraborty on 'Raktabeej': I am now secure as an actor to explore diverse roles

Q. How did you react to the massive cheer from your fans and followers for your look as a cop in Raktabeej?

A. Honestly, I can't react to these things much (smiles). A lot of my journalist friends had sent me the comments which were pouring in. I was like 'what's happening?' (laughs). I was feeling nice though. Then I posted the picture on my Instagram profile on popular demand. It was nice to see people were accepting the role in this way.

Mimi Chakraborty as Superintendent of Police, Burdwan in 'Raktabeej' | Photo courtesy: Instagram/Mimi Chakraborty

Q. How was playing a cop for the first time considering the fact we don't come across women police officers too often in Bengali films?

A. A lot of people have questioned why I work on one or two films per year. But I feel working on one or two films a year is too much. Gone are those days, when I used to work on four-five films per year with most of them turning out to be superhits. Now with the increase in scrutiny, moral and social policing, there is an added pressure. So I try to choose roles or films which I will be able to do.

I feel Sanjukta Mitra (Mimi's character in Raktabeej) was written thinking of me. Her body language matched the ones I have. I need to get opportunities to prove that I can pull off such acts as well. I am happy to explore this part of my life as an actor.

Q. Take us through the process of deconstructing your stardom and slipping into roles like the ones you played in Posto, Dhananjoy or Raktabeej.

A. Actually it was Ritu-da (late Rituparno Ghosh, iconic filmmaker whose daily soap Gaaner Oparey had featured Mimi in the lead) who got this thing called no-makeup look. It was applicable for me as well. After that, I faced it with Nandita Roy-Shiboprosad Mukherjee. I was doing consecutive commercial films as a lead back then so it was very challenging for me to play the role of a mother in Posto. So as an actor, I was not that secure back then to be sure of pulling off the role. It was a stressed part of my life to hide my facial flaws. But I don't feel it now with time and age.

Maturity comes with time and age and we embrace a lot of things in life. Now I feel like exploring the roles which will allow me to do something out of the box. Now I have reached a stage in my life where I love myself the way I am. Unlike in my 20s, when I was insecure about my flaws, now I embrace them.

Q. So you mean maturity is helping you to choose films or roles over the last few years?

A. Some films like Jawan or Pathaan or Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani demand a certain type of look. But the definitions of makeup and looking glamorous have changed with time. Going by natural instinct, an SP won't get time to do makeup. Once an actor gets that, she will start to focus on other aspects of the character and work accordingly.  

Q. Don't you think a cop can also do makeup with changing times?

A. Ummm... maybe. Definitely, one can if she finds time. I haven't come across any woman cop with makeup. When I did Dhananjoy, a few people from the industry had said I could have done less makeup and changed my hairstyle. But I wondered why can't a lawyer be presentable. But thankfully, people don't talk much about these nowadays.

From my personal experience, I was trolled for becoming who I am when I walked into Parliament because people have a fixed mindset about how one looks in a particular sphere of life. Now I am not getting trolled for dressing exactly the same way in Parliament because people are used to it and a change has come. I haven't changed it but I have shown the guts to be someone who I am. So that is a part and parcel of the society, I guess. People always judge.

Q. You were also offered a role in Srijit Mukherji's Dawshom Awbotaar, which is one of the four mega releases this Durga Puja. Why didn't you opt for it along with Raktabeej? Don't you think you could have explored your two sides as an actor simultaneously?

A. See I had featured in two Durga Puja releases, Shudhu Tomari Jonyo and Katmundu, earlier. As an actor, it becomes very stressful to deal with two production houses at the same time. I remember, I had to pick up all the calls by myself in those days. The promotional tours and premieres get hectic at the end. It was too much of a trauma to handle. I don't know about others but I can't handle it anymore (laughs). There was a time in my career, I wanted to do everything which used to come my way but now I feel like avoiding the rush.

Coming to Dawshom Awbotaar, who doesn't want to work with Srijit Mukherji? But I had already committed to Raktabeej by then. It was a bit late for me to dive into a film in a scenario where I had already committed to a puja release. As an actor, I feel I would not have been able to give my entirety to the film so I didn't sign in.

Q. You have reduced the number of yearly releases, attend Parliament, visit your constituency at regular intervals, spend ample time at home. Are you now more sorted in life than ever before?

A. Oh, very much. I know what I want from life. I am no longer insecure in my life. I am in a very happy space in my life where I love and respect what I do. I am in a space where my time and mental peace are very important. I believe none of us can enjoy whatever we have without mental peace.

I spend my time at home. I do planting. Of late, I am watching YouTube videos and growing vegetables at home (smiles). I go to office and fulfill my political commitments. I meet a lot of people in my constituency, which also locates my residence. So I spend my time in my own way. Work is my passion because it has made me what I am today. The only difference is I have consciously reduced the workload and try to focus on the right projects, irrespective of the outcomes.

Q. Why do you make restricted presences in various social gatherings?

A. Honestly, it takes a lot of effort to attend social gatherings. I have to call my team members, take all the effort to be prim and proper so I feel it's better to be at home. Trust me, this is the real reason (laughs).

Q. How comfortable was it to make your Bollywood debut with Shastry Virudh Shastry, a Hindi remake of Posto, considering you had already worked with the director-duo (Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee)?

A. There was a comfort zone because I knew the directors. In Mumbai, work is not done in a rush so one gets a lot of relaxation and proper breaks. The technique of shooting is much different there as compared to Kolkata. They are very professional.

Q. Why did you opt for a lawyer's role in your upcoming debut project on OTT even after playing an advocate in the past?

A. When I heard the script, the first thing that came to my mind was that I had already played a lawyer in Dhananjoy. But this character in my OTT debut is inspired from a real life incident in Kolkata. I didn't want to leave such an opportunity. The audience will get to see a different version of mine in the series.

Q. You are set to complete your first term soon as a Lok Sabha MP. Tell us whether your outspoken nature created troubles for you in politics?

A. I have never received any kind of restrictions from our chief (Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo) because I believe I haven't done anything such. I live a very simple life. I am an actor first. She (Mamata Banerjee) also loves the fact I am who I am. I believe no one from the film fraternity, who joined politics, was restricted in any way.

Having said that, responsibility comes with posts. I am an individual first so I always remain vocal through my social media posts. But there are certain areas where I can't be politically incorrect because a lot of people from inside politics talk when an outsider, especially a woman, joins the field. So one has to avoid all those.

(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)