Lasyapriya Sundaram (BOMBAY TIMES; October 10, 2018)

He is just 20, but has already bagged a National Award. Now, Riddhi Sen is all set to play the lead along with Kajol in Pradeep Sarkar’s Helicopter Eela, a film that revolves around the relationship between a mother and son. In a candid chat with BT, Riddhi talks about why he was eager to do Helicopter Eela, how winning the National Award (in the Best Actor category) last year, inspires him to do good work and how it was easy for him to slip into the role of a transgender in the Bengali film, Nagarkirtan. Excerpts…

You have acted in Hindi films earlier, but you are playing a prominent role for the first time in Helicopter Eela. Tell us about your journey of getting here.
Yes, I have acted in Hindi films like Kahaani, Parched and Bhoomi. I also did Children of War, which was Farooq Shaikh’s last film, but sadly, it didn’t get much recognition. I also featured in Chauranga that was produced by filmmaker Onir. In Helicopter Eela, I am playing the lead role.

Actors dream of getting an opportunity like Helicopter Eela and the credit goes to my director, Pradeep Sarkar. There are many actors waiting to land a role like the one I play in this film, but Pradeepda was confident about me essaying this role. Two years ago, I worked in a commercial with him in Kolkata and that's when he decided that I could pull off my role in the film. I didn’t have to audition a lot. In fact, I was cast in the film because my work in my earlier movies was appreciated. When Sujoy da (Ghosh) came to shoot in Kolkata for Kahaani, people from the Bengali film industry referred me to him. I thought I might have to audition for Helicopter Eela, but I didn’t have to.

Last year, you won a National Award in the Best Actor category at the age of 20 for the Bengali film Nagarkirtan. Having achieved that kind of recognition so early on in life, does it put pressure on you?
I have a long way to go. The fact that I won a National Award right at the start of my career scares me, because I have a lot to learn and explore. Today, thanks to the internet, I can familiarise myself with films which are being made all over the world and stay updated. More than being affected by people’s expectations, I want to live up to my own. I don’t feel the pressure to deliver because I have won a National Award. In fact, I have forgotten that chapter of my life. I have very high regard for the award, as well as for the jury who chose me, including Shekhar Kapur and I am extremely grateful for it. However, if I keep thinking about that achievement, I will not progress. I was the best, according to some people, but the next year somebody else’s performance will be lauded. In the next ten years, if I do good work then I can proudly say that I had won it.

The mother-son relationship that’s being portrayed in Helicopter Eela talks about how parents are overprotective and sometimes can also go overboard. Tell us about your relationship with your mother?
The film talks about what happens in most Indian homes. In the process of bringing up their children, parents don’t pay heed to their needs. They focus on only looking after the children and that is common in Indian society. Also, many parents feel that children should not have an opinion of their own. Some aspects of the relationship showcased between the mother and son in the film are similar to the bond that I share with my mother. Whatever I have achieved in life is because of her. Children observe their parents and I have seen my parents strike a balance between work and home. Both my parents are actors and they don’t have a nine-to-five job. However, that never affected my upbringing. They were there for me when I needed them and they also managed to work as well. My mother is my best friend and I have no inhibitions when it comes sharing my thoughts with her.

You have the experience of working in the Bengali, as well as the Hindi film industry. How different are they from each other?
The industries are different when it comes to the budgets of films. We have talented directors in Kolkata. If a Hindi film is shot in 50 days, a Bengali film has to be shot within 16 days. However, the end product is the same. The preparation before the shoot is immense. I played a transgender in Nagarkirtan for which I won the National Award. Usually, actors get close to six months to prepare for a role like this. The film was shot in 18 days. In the beginning, nobody was willing to produce a movie that revolved around a transgender. My director really rallied for the film. I had to prepare myself for the role much before the film went on floors. I knew the film will be made, but I didn’t know when it would go on floors, so I had to be ready to shoot at any given time. A low budget film shouldn’t look like one and that’s the trick the Bengali film industry has managed to pull off.

Was it important for you to do Nagarkirtan because it focusses on the love story of a transgender man? It’s a brave attempt and relevant to our times…
Aligarh is one of my favourite films. Nagarkirtan also addresses a similar concept. I am proud that the film’s director Kaushik Ganguly chose to narrate a tale that revolves around the love story of a transgender. I could play the role of a transgender with ease because of my upbringing. I grew up in a family of artistes. Also, I was part of theatre. I grew up surrounded by people like Aparna Sen, Soumitra Chatterjee and Rituparno Ghosh, who influenced me as far as my choice of roles was concerned. My upbringing helped in cultivating awareness on what happens. While growing up, my parents didn’t childproof conversations. They always gave an explanation. I watched my first ‘A’ rated film, Parzania, when I was seven years old. I was explained why the film was ‘A’ rated and also why a film with such a rating didn’t indicate that it was bad. By the time I was 19, I had an evolved understanding of gender. My parents also considered acting as a subject. In India, acting is not considered among subjects like Physics and Chemistry. But I hope things change some day.

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; October 10, 2018)

Growing up, she was a diehard fan, who had posters of Kajol plastered on the walls of her room. Back then, little did Rashi Mal know that one day, she will get to share screen space with her favourite actress. The young actress will be seen with Kajol in the upcoming film, Helicopter Eela, in which she will play her son’s girlfriend, Nikita.

Rashi, who has been part of several TV shows and the yet-to-release film, Sir (it won an award at Cannes Film Festival this year), says that it was a dream come true to work with Kajol. “I had to pinch myself when my moment came to shoot with her. I told her that she hasn’t aged a day since Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. She looked straight out of one of those posters I had in my room. I kept staring and smiling at her like a goofball,” she recalls.

About her experience of working with the senior actress, she shares, “I was nervous during my first scene with her. I didn’t want to fumble and somehow, she sensed it. Immediately, she started making me feel comfortable. She would also guide me and help me understand the camera angles better. We bonded over films, dark chocolate ice cream and taking Riddhi’s case.”

Rashi was spotted by director Pradeep Sarkar during an ad shoot, and she feels that the film will pave the path for her in mainstream cinema. “Working with renowned names helps. Since this is a mainstream film, I am sure that my work will get noticed, too. It’s a privilege to work with Pradeep sir. Even Riddhi, who has won a National Award, is level-headed and grounded. These people know what they are doing and they help bring out the best in you,” she signs off.

Kajol on husband, kids, Nysa and Yug, what makes her stressed and what makes the #MeToo revelations important
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 8, 2018) 

After all the monosyllabic “hmmms”, the oft-repeated clichés and evasive denials which remind you of a fizzy drink gone flat, Kajol is like a glass of champagne which leaves you bubbling with laughter. She’s fun, frank and believes that if you have to have a conversation, the trusted landline is better than a skittish cell phone connection. It’s good to have her back on screen, though the appearances have been few and far between since she took a break from showtime to be wife and mommy when at the peak of her career. “Hey, hang on, I’ve yet to reach the peak,” she interrupts, pointing out that unlike Eela, the protagonist of her upcoming film, Helicopter Eela, she hasn’t missed out on anything in the years between. “I was chilling with friends, I had my knitting and my books, life has been a roller-coaster rather than a bumpy helicopter ride. I hate helicopters anyway, for that matter any mode of air transport, and only get on a plane if absolutely necessary.”

Woah, a star who doesn’t have her head up in the clouds but has her feet firmly planted on the ground! So, what’s been her biggest high so far? “My kids, they bring me so much joy. One of my biggest highs was when my daughter (Nysa) started walking, rather late actually at 14 months. Even now, when she does well in her exams, I am screaming from the rooftop. And when my son (Yug) uses a really long and awesome word, I know he’s a genius!” she announces with undisguised maternal pride.

Years ago, Sharmila Tagore had admitted that her on-screen sons, John Abraham and Akshay Kumar, were far politer than her real-life son. The revelation is greeted by a hoot of laughter with Kajol informing that her children have no choice but to be polite with her. “Even Riddhi (Sen) who plays my son in the film is really cool and it was like working with a friend without the guilt that I carried to the sets when my own kids were younger. My recurring nightmare is having to rescue my kids and running away with them, I wake up gasping for air. Nysa and Yug are my world and that’s why I think all parents will connect with Eela because while we may all show our love in different ways, this is the only love that is pure and unconditional,” she points out.

The actress goes, remembering how Dada (director Pradeep Sarkar) had announced over the mike one day at the shoot that Riddhi had won the National Award for Best Actor. “We all clapped and cheered, and I pointed out that mera beta bante hi he’d bagged the coveted honour. After that we made sure it never went to his head,” she jokes.

Besides Riddhi, it’s evident that she shares a great bond with her director whom she’s known for a decade and done a few ads with before. “Dada’s sense of humour is legendary. He will tell the funniest jokes with a deadpan expression and is the first one to laugh at them. He works araam se, yet manages to take out something you hadn’t realised you had in you. With so many Bengalis around on the set, I felt closer to my roots,” she beams, admitting that like every year, she’s looking forward to the Mukherjees’ Durga Puja. “Only, earlier it was right opposite my house, this year, the venue has changed, but nothing will keep me away,” she asserts.

The conversation veers to Ajay Devgn and whether it’s easier having a husband for a producer. “It is,” she acknowledges. “Ajay gave me a lot of creative leeway and it was comforting having him as the producer. He’s a very solid and dependable human being. If he’s behind you, you know he will never let you down. He’s also very dildaar, a far better person than me for sure.” That’s high praise for her better half.

And what does she like about Ajay as an actor? Her reply is prompt, “His honesty. You believe he can actually uproot a lamp post, race a jeep and beat 20 baddies to pulp even though I have never seen him pull out a lamp post in real life. His honesty shines through films like Raid and also in comedies which are somewhat unfamiliar territory for him. My kids prefer to watch Ajay’s films over mine because I cry too much and that upsets them. They tell me I should do films like papa’s Golmaal.”

You wonder if either of her children are showing signs of following in the footsteps of their parents? “Nysa’s focus right now is her board exams. She’s stressed about them right now and that makes me stressed and when I’m stressed Ajay gets stressed too, so right now we’re a stressed family,” she shares, sounding anything but stressed. And what about Yug, going by the video she posted a while ago of him in the gym, he’s a natural born talent? “He’s only eight, too young to decide what he wants from life. He loves watching YouTube and talks of having his own channel. He also loves music and shares great music with me while Nysa has got me on the social media, telling me it’s really important to take my brand forward for which I’m eternally grateful,” she says earnestly.

Kajol was known to be a firebrand in her teenage years but she admits she’s changed a lot since, has grownup and is more refined. “I’m like a stone in the river. The water has smoothed out some of the rough edges but not all. Some remain, I haven’t reached nirvana yet and not likely to in this life,” she laughs.

The laughter dies out when you bring up the subject of #MeToo revelations that are shaking up our world on a daily basis. “It’s good that women are finally talking and publicly pulling up some people. It’s not going to take away the pain and shame they faced in the past. but by speaking up, they can try and ensure that this doesn’t happen to others in the future. Younger people, and I’m not being gender specific here, will know where to draw the line. They will know when to stand up and say, ‘So far but no further,’” she points out.

Talking about the future, is a collaboration with Karan Johar on the cards given that it will soon be two decades of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai? Or will it be Tanaji with Ajay next? “I have no clue. I’m talking to peole, reading lots of scripts, but haven’t signed anything yet. Right now, I’m like Krishna’s Meera, I am only jappoing Eela, 24x7. I’m like a 7-Eleven shop that’s selling only product,” she hangs up with a laugh.

DNA (October 5, 2018)

Director Pradeep Sarkar’s Helicopter Eela, which has the inimitable Kajol in the lead role, will see her as an over-protective mother to a teenager played by National Award winner, Riddhi Sen.

Off screen, the actress is one of those mothers who likes to keep herself updated with current trends. Having a teenage daughter helped her in bringing herself up to page with the new-age terminology. It was Nysa who convinced Kajol to join a photo and video-sharing social networking service, which is widely popular across the world. She also got her acquainted with acronyms used by Gen-Now like FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), YOLO (You Only Live Once), BT (Bad Trip), etc.

Being the sharp learner that she is, Kajol topped the lessons Nysa gave her. It also made it easier for her to bond with her reel-life collegian-son Riddhi. All the gyaan that she gathered helped her speak and understand the millennial language. Before Nysa knew it, her mother was in perfect sync and of course, Riddhi noticed how the superstar had evolved in the character she was playing. All of this is reflected in the trailer and now, there is a lot of curiosity among the audience to see if they can relate to this modern-day mother and son’s relationship on screen.

Riddhi, who is all praises for his reel mom, says, “Sometimes I get confused about who is the millennial between Kajol ma’am and me. She is absolutely updated about our generation. On several occasions, I found her more up-to-date than me. She is definitely one of the coolest people I have ever met.”

Helicopter Eela, presented by Ajay Devgn & Jayantilal Gada (Pen), releases worldwide on October 12.

The director has commissioned Ronit Sarkar to give playback for his next
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 10, 2018) 

After Bappi Lahiri entrusted his son Bappa to arrange the music for his next project and grandson Swastik to give playback, Pradeep Sarkar is following suit. Mirror has learnt that the filmmaker has commissioned his 26-year-old son Ronit to give playback for his upcoming directorial, the Kajol and Riddhi Sen-starrer Helicopter Eela. The young singer has previously sung the title track of his father’s 2010 directorial, Lafangey Parindey, which featured Deepika Padokone and Neil Nitin Mukesh.

“The song is titled ‘Mumma Ki Parchai’ and is composed by Amit Trivedi. The team tried my voice out first and thought it was a decent match, so we went to the studio and recorded it again for the film,” Ronit informs Mirror, adding that he loved the song’s energy the most. “Its lyrics are funny. The song is in the rock zone, which is familiar territory for me as I was a part of a few bands during college.”

Besides the genre, the singer identified with the song on a different level. “The song is about Kajol’s Eela and her son. As a teenager, sometimes you perceive your mother’s protectiveness as her being overbearing. You are too young to understand the sentiment behind it,” he points out, adding that he has been a Kajol fan since childhood.

After his initiation in Bollywood playback, Ronit is undecided if he would follow in his father’s footsteps. “I’ve been into music for as long as I can remember. I have some independent tracks coming out this month. Apart from that, I’m looking to find out where I fit in best in the creative field. I don’t know about direction but I’m currently undergoing training for it,” he adds.

Ronit was born in Delhi and moved to Mumbai only after he turned nine because his dad was working on a music video. “Life on set to me is second nature,” he reveals, going on to add that he was on the sets frequently to help his dad and the team in whatever way he could. “I’ve been on set all my life but this time the film’s characters have a lot of connection with music. There was a piano on the set and a guitar too. We would be jamming in a room there. Kajol plays the piano in the film so I helped her out.”

Speaking about the song he says the recording happened over an evening. “Dad wasn’t present because he tries not to be in the studio when I’m recording,” he laughs, saying he bonded with Riddhi, a fellow musician and the film’s male lead. “Riddhi is younger than me, not just the character but the actor too. He’s a guitarist so we hung out quite a bit when I was on the set,” he informs.

Kajol in her college girl avatar; as the mother (below; right)

From college student to single mother, actress spans decades in her next
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 4, 2018) 

After featuring in Soundarya Rajinikanth’s Tamil action-comedy Velaiilla Pattadhari 2, alongside Dhanush last year, Kajol will next be seen in National Award-winning filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar’s Helicopter Eela which revolves around a mother and son, with the actress playing a single parent. Kajol moves from a collegian aspiring to be a singer to the mother of a teenager played by Riddhi Sen, who bagged the National Award for best actor for Kaushik Ganguly’s Bengali film, Nagarkirtan. The role spans from 1990 to 2018.

“Kajol, our stylist Radhika Mehra and I sat together and curated both looks. We even went back to some of Kajol’s earlier pictures for the younger part. The mind set was equally important as her character had to behave childishly earlier and mature with age. It was an interesting process of development,” informs Sarkar. The film is produced by Ajay Devgn and Jayantilal Gada.

Prod him on her prep and the director reveals, “Kajol plays the piano well so she has an innate understanding of rhythm and music which came in handy when she was playing the singer.”

The actress also got along famously with her onscreen son Riddhi who is a self-confessed Kajol fan and particularly loved her villainous avatar in Rajiv Rai’s Gupt. “The set was on fire when the two were around. They bonded with laughter and banter,” Sarkar says.

Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; May 23, 2018)

She’s bubbling with energy. She’s shooting for the climax of her upcoming film at a suburban studio, and the actress is all agog on seeing how the final act is unfolding. Directed by Pradeep Sarkar, Kajol is playing mom to young National Awardwinning Bengali actor, Riddhi Sen, in this film. Yes, this supremely talented actress takes pride in the choice of roles she’s played, but her ultimate high is playing mommy in real life. In a career spanning over two decades, she could have packed in more films, but she explains, “I can’t do just about anything for the sake of being seen on screen.” Yet, she remains hugely popular, and the fact that her wax statue will be unveiled at Madame Tussauds, Singapore (tomorrow) is testimony to that. In a chat with BT, interspersed with a lot of laughs and big bites of a burger, Kajol tells us about her career choices, how her kids deal with the paps, and how the new generation of actors have far more chances to reinvent themselves. Read on…

Tomorrow, you will be striking a pose on the red carpet; the only big difference is that you will be standing next to your own wax statue at Madame Tussauds in Singapore...
It’s a great feeling, I have amazing memories attached to Madame Tussauds. I was 10 years old when my mom took us on a holiday to London. We went to the museum and I remember doing all the touristy things like clicking pictures with David Bowie, Napoleon and Michael Jackson among others. Cut to now, I’m actually part of it, so it is a big deal for me. I will be in Singapore to spend time with my daughter, so both of us will go for the inauguration. My kids haven’t been to Madame Tussauds, but I guess that this generation doesn’t realise what it’s really about. It’s also because they know that they can photoshop their picture next to whoever they want.

We are increasingly seeing Indian celebs and actors being waxed at Madame Tussauds for posterity. Is this indicative of the growing popularity of Indian movies and actors around the world?
Well, more than anything else, it is interesting to see how boundaries are being broken, whether it’s Bollywood stars gaining popularity there, or Hollywood celebs becoming bigger here. It is also indicative of how our cinema is changing. Earlier, we couldn’t imagine that an English film could make the kind of money it makes at the Indian box office today. While we are all so immersed in our Bollywood movies, songs, dances, and our heroes and heroines, what we need to understand is how our audience is changing. With the influence of the digital medium, they are evolving in an interesting way. Today, we can’t get away with mediocre movies. The films we make will be compared with what is being made internationally. We have to step up; else our cinema will come across as shoddy. Maybe 15 years ago, we could have gotten away with mediocrity, but not anymore.

You have been in the movies for 26 years now, but in comparison to many of your contemporaries, the number of films you have done is fewer. Yet, you remain a hugely popular star. What do you think has worked for you?
Honestly, I think that I am still in this industry, because I haven’t done as many films in 26 years. I can’t do just about anything for the sake of being seen on screen. My reason for doing a film can’t be the fact that I haven’t done one in a year. I am happy with my life the way it is. I think that I have had maximum comebacks, and every time I do a film people say, ‘Oh! she is making a comeback!’

Well, maybe you have been way too picky about your roles?
A lot of people come up to me with just an idea; it doesn’t work for me, as I need to read the whole script. There are certain genres that don’t interest me. I don’t want to do a dark film, and I am very clear about it. I don’t like watching dark films and I don’t do films that I don’t like to watch. My work needs to give me a high, or else I don’t see any point in doing it. I am a voracious reader; a good book is like nirvana to me. I can let go of my sleep if I have a good book to read. I read more books than I watch films. I don’t really watch too many films; in that sense, people might think I am illiterate. I need to pick a script and say, ‘Goddamn, I have to finish reading this’. Also, my kids are my life. My daughter Nysa is 15, but trust me, kids never grow up, and my son Yug is eight years old. Of course, it’s absolutely fine to leave your kids home and go to work, and I have done that, but they are my priority. A lot of people have asked me, ‘What do you feel about the compromise and sacrifice?’ I tell them, ‘Trust me, I haven’t compromised. I want to do this’. My kids are fab; I love them as people, too. I have the most amazing conversations with them. I am really lucky that my mom-in-law (Veena), mom (Tanuja), sister (Tanishaa) and Ajay (Devgn) have always encouraged me to go out and work. I love spending more time with my kids; it’s purely been my choice.

Looking back, do you think that actresses of your generation got more time and chances to establish themselves? Today, actresses have a lot more to compete with, they have to be seen and heard more. They are even expected to command a massive following on social media…
I think this is the time when you can keep reinventing yourself. It’s not the time for actors to stay in one avatar. If you think something is not working, you can put on another mask and make it work for you. Earlier, actors had more time to establish themselves and learn on the job. It wasn’t a case of one-movie-make-or-break for us, nowadays it is. At the same time, I think that today’s generation sometimes gives up easily and they think that life is over. They have so many opportunities to reinvent themselves and there is never a dearth of work. I think that if you are willing to work really hard, avenues will open up for you.

Talking about changing times, what are your views on bringing up your children in times of social media and paparazzi culture, given that Ajay and you have been fairly private about your lives?
I find it very intrusive and I try explaining to my kids that there are two sides to this. I tell them that because they are famous, there are things that they can do, which others can’t. But there will also be things that they can’t do, which others can easily do. My daughter has strong opinions and she keeps asking, ‘Why are they after me? Why are they clicking pictures of me while I am walking on the street?’ I tell her that fame has its downside, but there are privileges and opportunities, too, and they have to accept that.

Nysa is on social media, do you feel protective about her? The trolls can be harsh and ruthless…
Honestly, I think that people on social media are far meaner to celebrity kids than they would be to their neighbour’s children. That is something our kids have to deal with and it’s not a good place for them to be in. As parents, we have to ensure that it doesn’t affect them. Cyber-bullying and trolling happen not only to celebrities and their kids, but also to people who are vaguely famous. I keep reminding Nysa… you are beautiful inside out and it doesn’t matter what random people sitting out there think about you. What matters is what you think of yourself, and not what others think about you. After saying it about a million times, I guess it has registered with her.

Do you see a lot of your traits in your children?
Yes, I do. I think Nysa was opinionated since the time she was in my womb. I’m having a problem with facing that aspect of my character in her now. When I was growing up, my mom would always tell me, ‘I hope you have a child who is exactly like you.’ There you go (laughs!).

You are working with director Pradeep Sarkar next, on a film being backed by hubby Ajay. Tell us about it…
I can’t reveal too much, but I will tell you that Eela (her character in the film) is an awesome woman, who is funny and extremely relatable. The boy who is playing my son, Riddhi Sen, has won the National Award for Best Actor this year. He’s a fabulous actor and one of the youngest people to win a National Award. He was so humble and quiet about winning the award, if I had won it, I would be shouting from the rooftops.

Today, there is a growing interest in regional cinema. In fact, some brilliant regional films have swept the National Awards this year. You have done Tamil films in the past, would you be interested in doing more films in other languages? Ajay even backed a Marathi film, Aapla Manus, this year...
I would love to do films in other languages. I have done it before and last year, I did a Tamil film VIP 2 with Dhanush. Of course, as an actor, it’s much easier if you understand the language. I don’t mind doing any film, as long as it is the kind of film that I would like to watch. I know it makes me sound slightly unambitious, and I know that a lot of people might criticise me about this, too. People often ask me, ‘You want to do just this?’ I say, ‘Yes, I just want to do this’. I will do films if I feel like it, and I won’t do it if I don’t feel like it. Nobody else will have to live with my decision besides me, and nobody else has to look at me from the mirror.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 16, 2018)

His recent National Award (Best Actor) win behind him, Riddhi Sen has already turned his focus back to his work. Currently filming for Eela over a two-month-long schedule in Mumbai, the actor, 19, recalls how the craft fascinated him early on in his life. “As a kid, I was always intrigued by the art of becoming someone else. Being on set felt like playtime,” says Sen, who plays son to Kajol in the Pradeep Sarkar-directed film.

It was his collaboration with Sarkar on an ad film in 2017 that led to his casting in this venture. “He liked me so much then that he knew he had to work with me [again]. He called me later last year to discuss his script and told me it is a mother-son story. He said Kajol ma’am would play the mother, while I would be her son. I was surprised that I didn’t even have to audition. When I went to his Mumbai office, I learnt that I had already been cast. After 30 minutes, Kajol ma’am and I were doing our first [script] reading session,” he says, the excitement in his voice still palpable.

The actor admits that while initially intimidated to be in her presence, he worked his way around her.
“Eela [Kajol’s character] is an aspiring singer and single mother. Her bonding with her son is important. Kajol ma’am allowed me to breach her space and achieve that sense of comfort with her. There were no restrictions. She was a constant support. She made my character better, pushing me to deliver a better performance.”

Today, Sen finds a friend in Kajol. “She is uninhibited. She is a game changer because she works on her own terms. She is versed with everything — music and the best bands. She speaks about her family at length and I admire how she balances her personal and professional life. I hope I adapt her life’s philosophy.”

Best Actor Riddhi Sen plays a significant role in Pradeep Sarkar’s next in which the actress plays a single mom and an aspiring singer
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 19, 2018)

Son of Bengali actors Kaushik and Reshmi Sen, 19-year-old Riddhi, who won the National Award for Best Actor for Kaushik Ganguly’s Nagarkirtan, will be seen as Kajol’s son in Pradeep Sarkar’s Eela. “It is a beautiful story of an aspiring singer who is also a single mother. The mother and son share a wonderful chemistry in the film,” says Riddhi, who was in Mumbai for the shoot of the Ajay Devgn and Jayantilal Gada production, written by Mitesh Shah and Anand Gandhi.

While they were shooting an ad in Kolkata in 2016, Sarkar decided that Riddhi would play this role and called him with the offer last June, with strict instructions to not speak about it to the media. “I thought he’d take my audition but one fine day, dada called me to Mumbai and directly started discussing the script with Kajol ma’am and me,” Riddhi reminisces, adding that when he got the news of him winning the prestigious award, urged on by his mother who saw the news on a channel, Sarkar was the first person he called. “Dada was really happy and Kajol ma’am even arranged for a cake for me on the set to celebrate my National Award win.”

Riddhi is a self-confessed fan of his screen mother and loved her in the 1997 suspense thriller, Gupt. He raves about her humour and energy which boosts everyone up on the sets no matter how tired they are.

Kajol’s equally impressed with her young co-star who she describes as a bright, hardworking, well brought up and talented boy. “He doesn’t need any acting tips and has a tremendous future ahead of him as the National Award has proved already,” she says, having seen him also in Ajay’s 2016 production, Parched.

Riddhi, who is flying back home today during a break in shooting to spend some time with his parents, friends and his girlfriend, admits that his big win last week left him speechless for around 10 minutes before he went off to shoot. “That’s the best way to celebrate, doing what I love the most,” he says.