Raima also candidly discusses navigating her film legacy, evolving roles for women in the industry, and her personal views on marriage.Plus, find out why Raima is eager to step into her iconic grandmother Suchitra Sen’s shoes if the perfect biopic comes along. Excerpts…
What drew you to the role of Aliya Basu in ‘Aliya Basu Gayab Hai’?
I liked the story of Aaliyah Basu Gayab Hai. I liked the script and the way the screenplay and the dialogues were written. It’s a film with only three characters, and it is very difficult to pull off a film and engage the audience’s attention with just three characters. So that was a challenging part. I mean, Vinay, Salim, and I had to be on our toes because we had to keep the audience engaged for one hour and forty-three minutes, which is tough because there was nothing to support us except the script, performances, and each other. So I think that was challenging enough.
Can you describe the experience of portraying such an intense and challenging character?
It was a great experience because I did a lot of different things in this film. We had many action sequences, and it was very challenging because I was gagged with a ball in my mouth most of the time, which made it difficult to speak, shout, and scream. After hours of wearing the ball gag, my mouth would feel sore and sometimes get cut. It was interesting and challenging to work on, especially since in the whole film, I am actually only tied to the bed. There’s only so much I can do, and I guess that was the challenging part.
How did you prepare for the scenes that involved physical and emotional trauma?
For me, working closely with the director is crucial. I see the director as the captain of the ship, someone who can make or break a role. If the director is good with actors, that’s ideal. If not, we do workshops and readings to understand their vision. I rely on the director to push me to my best, as it’s a give-and-take relationship between the actor and director. So, yes, I always work closely with the director.
What was it like working with Vinay Pathak and Salim Diwan, who play your abductors in the film?
I’ve worked with Vinay Pathak in a couple of films and with Salim Devan in Bollywood Diaries, so I’m familiar with both of them. We have a comfortable working relationship, joke around, and tease each other. This ease makes it simple to perform together, as we know each other’s strengths and quirks. It’s both fun and rewarding to act with such talented actors.
Raima Sen on receiving threat calls for working in ‘Maa Kaali’: ‘I was reminded that I would have to stay in Kolkata in the future’
How did the film’s dark themes and intense scenes impact you personally during the shoot?
When I prepare for a role, I give it my 100 percent, but once the film is done, I leave everything behind. I don’t carry any baggage forward. I go through whatever I need to during filming, but after it’s over, I switch off completely and move on.
As someone with a rich legacy in the film industry, how do you navigate the expectations that come with it?
When I first entered the film industry as Sachithra Sen’s granddaughter and Honmon Sen’s daughter, there were high expectations. However, over time, especially after films like Chokhir Bali, I carved out my own niche. Now, I place a lot of expectations on myself with each film I take on.
What changes have you observed in the Hindi film industry over the years, especially concerning women’s roles?
Yes, there have been significant changes with more women-oriented and powerful roles in movies. Women are now almost on par with men in the industry. We’ve come a long way in recognizing that women also contribute to box office success and deserve equal recognition in many aspects.
With the change in the way content is viewed of late, what kind of roles do you look forward to playing in the future?
With the rise of web shows and series, there’s a wealth of interesting content and diverse roles emerging. I am excited to explore a variety of characters in engaging scripts and stories.
Given your striking resemblance to your grandmother Suchitra Sen, would you like to play Suchitra Sen if a biopic were to be made on her?
I would love to play the role of Suchitra Sen in a biopic if an outstanding script comes along.
Marriage seems to be declining in popularity for some, while others are indulging in extravagant destination weddings. What are your thoughts on this contrast?
I think everyone has their own views on marriage. For me, if it happens, it happens, but I am not actively seeking it out. If it occurs naturally, that’s great, but I don’t place too much importance on it.
It’s important to be whole and complete on your own, but if you were to describe your ideal partner, what qualities would they have?
My ideal partner should have a sense of humor, be knowledgeable, intelligent, and charming. Most importantly, I would like him to be understanding, with a focus on mental compatibility. I value a companion who is comfortable with themselves, supports my growth, and allows us both to evolve together.
