Actor Rituparna Sengupta says that late Pranab Mukherjee, ex-President of India was an astute and knowledgeable man, and it is a great loss to the world that a great statesman like him is gone
Nikita Deb (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 5, 2020)

The death of India’s former President Pranab Mukherjee came as a shock to the entire country. After serving as the Union Finance Minister of India from 2009 to 2012, he became the 13th President of the country in 2012 and served until 2017. On Teacher's Day today, actor Rituparna Sengupta remembers the “great statesman”. “Pranab Mukherjee sir was beyond a politician. Who didn’t regard him? He was one of the most sought after personalities. He was very astute, knowledgeable and learned. He was an avid reader and very rooted in his culture; he knew a lot about literature. Whenever he would have discussions, he would always quote great writers and philosophers. He was an articulate man who would give such inspiring speeches and there are so many qualities that we can imbibe from him. His life was like a drawing board of life lessons, which we can all learn so much from,” says Sengupta.

The actor adds that she had met Mukherjee on a number of occasions and each meeting with him was a pleasant experience. “I met him during a few events such as book launches and newspaper summits. He was always very amicable and would notice every little detail around him. Even though he had a strong personality, he was very lovable,” she says.

The actor who has been acting in films for over two decades now, says that screening her film Muktodhara (2012) for the former President was a rare honour for her, and she feels extremely privileged to have got the opportunity to do so. “In 2013, we had got an invitation to screen Muktodhara for Mukherjee sir and Mrs Mukherjee. We had gone to the Rashtrapati Bhavan with our small cast and crew and had screened the movie for him. It was such a pleasant surprise that the President had taken out three hours out of his busy schedule to watch our film with utmost attention. He loved the movie and praised all our work in it. In fact, Mrs Mukherjee was very fond of me and whenever I would visit Delhi, I would meet her,” says the 48-year-old actor.

Adding that he was one of the most loved Presidents of all time, Sengupta emphasises on the fact that his death is a great loss to the nation. She says, “He was a very successful finance minister and president. He knew the importance of knowledge and education. The entire nation can learn so much from him. He was an asset, and all my condolences are with his family. We are all deeply saddened by his demise, but he has left us with a lot of knowledge and his insights that we are definitely privileged to be left with. There is a lot to learn from the teachings that he imparted through his contributions to this society.”

Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 21, 2020)

After a brief hiatus, Rituparna Sengupta was all set to return to the Hindi film industry with Bansuri: The Flute. The Coronavirus lockdown and the on-going pandemic may have delayed the release of the film but the actor says that she’s pumped up to start a new chapter. “My lockdown resolution has been to work in more and more Hindi films. I would love to be a part of the change that Hindi films are witnessing. OTT platforms are coming up with exciting content and I’m all charged up to be a part of some interesting projects,” says Sengupta who has four Bollywood projects in the pipeline.

So what kept her away from Hindi films? “I had a hectic schedule and I was trying to strike a balance between my family and my career. I got a few film offers from Mumbai but I wasn’t interested in them. I was doing a lot of Bangla films and I wasn’t very keen on travelling back and forth,” she shares.

She adds that the demise of her manager took a toll on her and she decided to focus on her Bengali film career. She confides, “Bhasker, my manager, used to look after my work in Mumbai. His demise demoralised me. It was difficult for me to look for a new manager or an agency that could look into my work. I wasn’t sure about what to do. I was unhappy with what was happening here. A couple of films that I was supposed to do didn’t work out.”

The Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji (2011) actor says that going ahead, she would want to try her hands at projects that surprise her and her audience alike. “I’ve always felt like I’m a product of commercial cinema. Having said that, I believe that I’ve never shied away from any challenges. I want to do roles so that people sit up, take notice and acknowledge my craft. I feel motivated more than ever now,” she concludes.

Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 30, 2020)

The destruction caused by super Cyclone Amphan in eastern India is so severe that over a week later, normal life is still out of gear. Actor Rituparna Sengupta, who is currently in Singapore with her husband and children, recalls the nightmare of being unable to contact her mother, in-laws, relatives, friends and colleagues in Kolkata.“I had panic attacks thinking about their well-being. Some of them reside in areas that have been badly affected. I was feeling helpless,” she says, adding she felt better after she spoke to them, almost a day later.

Sengupta’s NGO, which provides rations to hundreds of unprivileged people, is now working day and night to help those affected by the cyclone.

The 48-year-old is unable to travel as international flights from Singapore haven’t resumed yet. “My family and friends are asking me to not come to Kolkata right now but I want to be by their side. It’s my city, my home, it’s difficult to be away,” says Sengupta, who has also been helping technicians and supporting actors in Kolkata and Mumbai. She says that it hurts actors’ self-respect to ask for help, and instead they end up taking drastic steps. “A number of people work for me. I’m paying their salaries... I’m there for them,” she adds.

Expressing concern about the mental well-being of people amid this crisis, she adds, “Many have lost their jobs… There’s a rise in domestic violence cases, relationships falling apart. Mental health is of prime concern and only compassion towards each other can save us,” she adds.

On the professional front, Sengupta’s latest film, Parcel, released in March and could only run for three days as theatres were shut amid the pandemic. However, makers are not eyeing an OTT release yet. “OTT platforms are giving makers and actors a space to release their work and earn back the money. But theatres also need to run. That’s where films thrive. This is a never-ending debate… Both mediums employ several people and need to survive,” she explains.

Nikita Deb (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 1, 2020)

“Singapore has a very controlled environment. I think, the situation is better managed here than in any other place. They’ve taken the situation very seriously since its inception, and people were very alert and the government has worked aggressively in order to keep this in control. I believe Singapore is a much safer zone right now. But I am really worried about the rest of the world,” says actor Rituparna Sengupta, who is currently in Singapore with her husband and two kids.

The actor says that they are not under complete lockdown due to Coronavirus outbreak but have voluntarily been staying at home. “All the public places here are shut, and offices are also working in minimum capacity. Restaurants are open but have arranged seating positions so that people are not too close to each other,” says Sengupta, adding that people in Singapore are following their government’s directives and the government, too, has been very proactive. “Hospitals and doctors have been working relentlessly, and while Singapore is equipped to handle this, and is managing things very well, affected people are coming in from UK and Europe and that is worrisome. They are being treated separately and are being quarantined,” adds Sengupta.

The Praktan (2016) actor says that her children’s school requires them to check the temperature of kids every day and report it. They have been studying online since schools are shut. Sengupta is also utilising this time to brush up on her cooking skills while also taking this opportunity to spend some quality time with her family which she doesn’t get to do often owing to her busy schedule in India. “I have been doing some terrace gardening, reading books which I hadn’t read, listening to music, working on my poetry book and rearranging my house and wardrobes. But most of all, I am praying to God and asking for forgiveness for any wrong that we may have done. We have to take care of Mother Nature which has given us our homes but we have failed to do so. Therefore, I am taking this time to rediscover a lot of things,” she says.

Rituparna Sengupta shares her thoughts on the veteran filmmaker, who passed away on December 30
As told to Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; January 1, 2019)

I consider myself quite unfortunate that I never got a chance to work with Mrinal da. It’s a disappointment that will remain with me for as long as I live. I met him a couple of times. Once I presented a film to him called Icche, which had a lot of newcomers. He was very happy with what we had tried to do. Later on, we met at film gatherings and he would often bless me with kind words and lots of praises for my films. He had loved Tohon, a film that fetched me the National Award. He loved the movie so much so that he told me, ‘I think you have something very special in you. You are very talented and meticulous. Keep that going.’ I was over the moon. A few years later, his health began to deteriorate. He hadn’t been keeping well lately. His social appearances dropped in numbers, but we would all make time to wish him on his birthday. I remember hosting him at home once on his birthday. We also spent some time with special kids that day.

Over the years, his cinema has influenced me in a big way. His contribution to world cinema is remarkable. Khandhar, Neel Akasher Neeche, Mrigaya — his films were so nuanced. His belief in his stories was so strong that people, who watched his films, left the cinema hall feeling exactly what he felt for his story and its characters. His demise marks the end of an era in world cinema. Out of 26 films, 16 won National Awards. Who can ever match Mrinal Sen’s record? His death is an irreparable loss to us. Of course, he lived a full and illustrious life, which will continue to inspire art and artistes alike.

Upala KBR (DNA; March 18, 2017)

Bengali director Srijit Mukherji, the man behind the acclaimed Rajkahini and its upcoming Hindi remake, has declared that Vidya Balan was always the first choice for the character of Begum Jaan. This has shocked and confused Rituparna Sengupta, the star of Rajkahini. Throughout the film’s making, she was never made aware of this fact.

Speaking to us from Kolkata, Rituparna says, “I am not aware that he had wanted Vidya in Rajkahini, too. Or why he’s saying that today. We were in talks about doing a film together for the longest time. Srijit had told me that he would come to me only when he had a role which matters. I was in Delhi attending an event. When I checked my phone, I saw it had 10 missed calls! He called again and said, ‘I have got something very exciting for you.' I asked him to wait for me till I returned and the moment I reached Kolkata he was at my home, ready with the script and concept.”

She admits that Srijit’s latest comments hurt her a bit at first, but when the realisation hit that there’s nothing she could have done about it, she made her feelings known on social media. And once she came to know, she thought better of speaking to the director. “I am quite empowered that way. I can own things in my own way. I own my character Begun Jaan in me. Nobody will forget Rajkahini’s Begum Jaan. Who was the first and second choice doesn’t matter! I have a deep regard for my director and am aware of what the film has done for me, so there are no complaints. But there is a lingering feeling of disappointment… Had I got the National Award for it, I would have been happy. The amount of pressure, hard work, love and passion I put in the film, the battle I fought to get into my toughest character till now, was not trivial.”

She adds that after the film released, she got a call from producer Mahesh Bhatt “congratulating me on my performance. He said that he had never seen such a characterisation of a strong woman. It was a big compliment coming from him. We had even formed a Rajkahini group where Mr Bhatt would post interesting insights about the film. I heard about the Hindi remake, but took it in the positive spirit when he asked Vidya instead of me.”

Rituparna says she was initially hesitant about taking up the role. “But Srijit was very confident that I could pull it off. I asked him if he really thought I could do it. Srijit said that I had to take out all the feminism in me. It was a role that required a lot of mental and physical prepping. I was very fascinated by what he offered me and though it was a big challenge for me, Srijit tutored me very well. Begum Jaan was such a very different zone for me. After the filming was complete, I got immersed in voice modulation. I had to shout my lungs out into the microphone and then dub for it to get that hoarseness in my voice. I would get exhausted and lie flat on the ground for some time and Srijit would say, “Take a break and come back”. That’s the regime I went through, so when I missed out on the National Award, I was really upset and disappointed. This role was one-of-a-kind and for regional films like Rajkahini, the National Awards is the only place you can compete with Hindi films. But I am a strong-willed person and I am sure there will be another time…”

It is being reported that Vidya said yes after watching Rituparna in Rajkahini. She admits to reading the reports. “She has always raved about my performance and told me whenever we have met. I am sure she has also interpreted Begum Jaan in her own way and will make it her own character but you can’t compare the two,” Rituparna insists.

She has seen the Begum Jaan trailer. “I have watched it and there’s a feeling of déjà vu. Every scene, every nuance, every shot is so similar to Rajkahini, I felt that I was seeing my own film — only the faces have changed. I was like, ‘Oh my God! I am seeing my own film in a different way!’”

The actress is coming to Mumbai today to start shooting for her next Bollywood film Good Morning Sunshine with Shabana Azmi and Revathy. She has two more Hindi films on hand — Tere Aane Se and a biopic on Khudiram Bose.

What Srijit said
“Originally, Rajkahini was written to be a bilingual and I was supposed to cast Vidya Balan to play the role in both the films. Only after I didn’t get her dates and things didn’t work out, I thought of doing the Bengali film and approached Rituparna.”

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 6, 2016)

Mirror was the first to tell you (October 20) that Mahesh Bhatt was all gaga about his latest protege, Srijit Mukherji's Bengali film, Rajkahini, which he will be adapting in Hindi as the National Award-wining director's Bollywood launch. The film will be titled Begum Jaan after the main protagonist, the madam of the brothel, and Vidya Balan will be playing this feisty character played by Rituparna Sengupta in the original.

"The re-worked adaptation will see Vidya in the most challenging role of her career. Srijit is by far the most talented filmmaker I've know," Bhatt told Mirror.

Set to roll in June, the film follows the after effects of the Partition in Bengal in 1947, delving into the lives of 11 women living in a brothel that finds itself divided by the newly-chalked LOC, with half of the house now in India and the other half in Pakistan.

The inmates are being urged to move out but knowing they will be savaged outside these walls they hold firm, despite growing pressure to vacate.

"Like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil in their classic films, and my daughter Alia Bhatt in Highway, Rajkahini has one of the greatest performances by a woman — Rituparna Sengupta. The premise is thrilling and moved me to the core. The Hindi film will feature eight actresses, but will be ruled by Vidya," says Bhatt.

Vidya admitted to having watched the film and thoroughly enjoying the period drama. "It's a powerful and moving film. Rituparna is wonderful and so is the rest of the cast. It's easily one of the most interesting scripts, I have got so far," she asserts.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 20, 2015)

Mahesh Bhatt has been all praises for his latest protege, filmmaker Srijit Mukherji's new Bengali film, Rajkahini. He is now working on a Hindi adaptation of the film with Srijit, who bagged the National Award for Best Director for his film Chotushkone this year.

"Like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil in their films, and my daughter Alia Bhatt in Highway, this film too has one of the greatest performances by a woman - Rituparna Sengupta as Begum Jaan," asserts Bhatt, who is convinced it will make for an engrossing Bollywood drama. The film follows the Bengal partition through a new border between India and Bangladesh that runs right through a brothel that houses 11 women.

"This premise is thrilling and it moved me to the core. In the red rays of the rising sun, a sleeping India awakens, said Tagore. When you watch Srijit's film, you feel that awakening. It is a soul-stirring tale and the Hindi audiences will love it," says Bhatt, who is coming on board as the co-writer and creative director.

Admitting that the writing will be a long process, he avers that this story does not sing, it bleeds. "It's a volcanic explosion which has erupted from the cultural citadel of Bengal and will burn and purify you," says the 67-year-old filmmaker who would like Rituparna to act in the Hindi remake too. He called up the National Award winning actress after the screening. "She brought tears to my eyes in a few scenes and I told her that I want to cast her in my film," he recalls, saying they will meet when she is in Mumbai next.