Playing an urban woman in 'Tarokar Mrityu' was refreshing for me: Parno Mittrah

Q. You have always seemed selective in your works but you have a number of releases this year. Did you change your plan of action?

A. No, no, I don't plan anything. Actually, I shot a number of films in 2019. So those films are yet to be released in theatres. As a result, I am having back to back releases.

Q. Take us through the journey of Tarokar Mrityu.

A. I couldn't do it when Haranath Chakraborty approached me for the first time. But, I agreed to work on it when he asked me the second time. I got an opportunity to work with Ranjit sir (Ranjit Mallick), Ritwick (Ritwick Chakraborty) and of course Haranath Chakraborty. So I felt like doing it. I liked the story, which has a touch of supernatural elements. I have always played strong, feminist characters in films. But in Tarokar Mrityu, my role is timid, scared, unsocial, experiences a rough relationship with her husband and suffers from mental health disease. She hallucinates a lot and takes medication.

Q. Was it refreshing to play an urban woman's role for a change?

A. Yes (smiles). I have played rural women for a long time in my career. I receive a lot of offers to play women from the lower strata of the society. But I felt it was easy to play this woman, who is a school teacher and hails from Kolkata, in Tarokar Mrityu. It is refreshing for me as well as the audience.

Q. What was your homework to play a role who has mental health issues?

A. I had to think and understand the psyche of people who hallucinate. I had contacted a psychiatrist to understand what goes on in the minds of people who hallucinate. I had to learn the body language of people who suffer from it.

Q. How far does a film personality like Ranjit Mallick drive you in choosing a film or a role?

A. It depends. Both matter actually. Ranjit sir's presence in such a good script in case of Tarokar Mrityu was the icing on the cake. I agreed to work on Maach Mishti & More only because I wanted to work with Soumitra Chattopadhyay. It matters sometimes. I have watched Ranjit sir's Interview and other commercial films where he was a part of  so it was a big deal for me to work with him. Similarly, I want to work with Prosenjit Chatterjee at one point in my life. It's like a bucket list.

Q. Are you returning to politics in the 2024 General Elections?

A. Honestly, I am clueless right now. Nothing is planned. Only time will give the answer.

(Photo courtesy: Surinder Films)

(Location: Soul- The Sky Lounge)