Kajol gives advice on every part of life: National Award winner Riddhi Sen

— By | May 10, 2018 02:47 pm

Riddhi Sen

The 65^th National Film Awards was considered as one of the most controversial award ceremonies of 2018. Amid all, the winners of the award ceremony were considerably deserving for many people. Recently, Sumit Rajguru from Free Press Journal got in touch with National Film Award Best Actor winner for Bengali film, ‘Nagarkirtan’, actor Riddhi Sen and asked him about his experience after winning the prestigious award and many more. Excerpts

You are one of the youngest actors who has won National Award for best actor, did you ever feel you would win National Award at such a young age?

No, while shooting a film, we never thought that it would be honoured with such a prestigious award. It came out with a complete surprise for us.

As you are already a son of actor Kaushik Sen, how tough was it to match with the expectation with your father’s name?

Basically, I belong from the family where all people are from the theatre background. My grandparents, my dad Kaushik Sen work in theatre and cinemas. I had a fear because people would think it’s an advantage to come up from the filmi background. But, it’s a disadvantage. I feel that I was lucky enough to start without any comparison.

Tell us how did you prepare to play such a difficult character at this age in Bengali film, Nagarkirtan?

The film was supposed to happen two years back but due to some problems with the producers, the film got postponed. So, I was very upset as I got such an amazing character but the film had got actually shelved for much time. But our director Kaushik Anand had decided to make it despite having barriers. Hence, I kept on working hard on my character. In that span of time, I read a book, ‘A Man Into A Woman’, I also met real transgender to know about their lives, observed them closely. I also absorbed the way of talking, walking, expressions of women.

As you were already a child artist, do you find any difference between your performance during childhood and adulthood?

No, not really! The meaning of acting has changed. Acting is something which can’t have a definitive meaning. It changes with coming years. Now, the meaning of acting is totally different.

What is your take on the recent National Award controversy?

I think whatever happened was really unfair. Then, I thought that National Awards are decided by the jury headed by Mr Shekhar Kapur. The jury sees every film and decides which the best is and which is not. People should think this is not a National but a Nation’s award. I would say it was unfair. The word from their side cannot be meaningless, because the award was given by the nation, not a person.

What would you prefer more – Critical acclaim or Box office success?

I don’t think the film should be categorised on Arts film or commercial film or Box office success. We have seen films like Vicky Donor which had a connect with masses as well as critics. I think nowadays the only thing matters is good films or bad films. I especially want to mention Shoojit Sircar for proving his own philosophy towards life through his films. He doesn’t bother about box office success and critical acclamation. He just makes a film and loves telling stories. Audiences always never keep anything in mind before they go to watch a film. We are the people who categorise films as good or bad.

As per reports, you will be next seen in playing a role of a son of Kajol in ‘Eela’, tell us how did that happen to you?

I want to give all that credits to Mr Pradeep Sarkar. Two years back, I didn’t have any film, somehow he saw me in my previous films and liked me a lot. He offered me a role and I got surprised. Because in Mumbai, there are much better actors than me. I feel lucky to get such a fantastic role in such a great film. We have completed 80 percent of the film and it will be completed soon.

Tell us about your experience of working with Kajol?

She is a person who is full of life. She is very off industry person who really talks about the industry and gives advice on every part of life. She laughs live so much that it is very contagious when she comes on the sets with her positive energy. That’s the biggest thing I liked about her!

Lastly, would you love to work more in Bollywood film industry?

No, because I guess cinema has no language like Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali films and others. I don’t want to put myself into the particular barrier. I would like to explore myself more in many languages.