Bidita Bag is probably one of the most fuss-free model-turned-actresses to work with. The Santragachi girl who lives in Mumbai now, has zero tantrums, be it call times or Ubering it to shoots. Back in town for a quick visit, Bidita was game for a fashion shoot as always. She got into five easy glam looks from fashion label Garo, for the shoot at Trapeze — the new all-day dining hangout on Park Street. Post-shoot, we caught up with the actress on work in 2020, her mid-March release Fauji Calling and wedding plans.

You are doing a lot of work...

Workwise I am in a much better space. There are a couple of big projects lined up, but I am not getting any Bengali projects. I think I have made a space for myself (in Mumbai).

You were working during the lockdown too...

I made two short films and also picked up guitar and ukulele from YouTube channels. And, I was cooking a lot! I was always a good cook, but I tried to hone it further in the lockdown because an editor had once told me that all good big directors and actors are good cooks. It helps you grow as an actor.

I didn’t work for three months and resumed work from the first lockdown. Abhay 2 (co-starring Kunal Kemmu) was my first major project post-lockdown. I also did The Missing Stone (co-starring Barun Sobti).

Next up is Fauji Calling...

This is a theatrical release and an important film. We have seen a lot of war films that have given us a glimpse of a soldier’s life, his struggles and sacrifices, but we have hardly spoken about what a soldier’s family goes through. This thought struck the director (Aaryaan Saxena) during the Uri attack. There were a lot of dialogues for a couple of months and then slowly died down. For the families though this is unforgettable. They live with the trauma. A soldier too gets his strength from his family. Sakshi (her character) represents the wives of all the soldiers in the country. There was a big responsibility on me to portray the character in a balanced way. I think I have done justice.

When you get married to a soldier, you know the future is uncertain. And you live with that fear every day. Then there is the patriotism aspect. For a common man, you feel patriotic when our soldiers are in trouble or there is a skirmish at the border. For a soldier, it is very different. It’s 24x7, a part of their lives. They bring up their kids too with that feeling. The mental conditioning is different. The film also focuses on post-traumatic stress syndrome. My daughter in the film is afflicted by it. I am paired opposite Sharman Joshi and Zarina Wahab plays my mother-in-law. We shot it in 2019. It was supposed to be released last year.

What are you working on now?

Bhaukaal part 2. Bhaukaal part one (starring Mohit Raina) was a hit.

How do you choose your roles now?

I’d say I am quite lucky. I have got good roles, the slightly different ones, the kind I’d like to play. I do have to shortlist a lot and I read one script every day and work on three or four of them. I do it myself as I don’t like managers. Banners and producers matter to them the most, whereas, as an actor, I try to take on projects based on how much potential it has for me as an actor.

And, you are still waiting for your big break...

The Sholay Girl (2019) was one. It was tailormade for me and was 2019’s best OTT film, but the OTT platform hadn’t grown so much like it did last year. I think timing e gondogol hochche. Sab samay ka khel.

Why are big banners eluding you after so many years?

Aami ki jani?! I have worked on myself and am ready to do any kind of role. Let them offer. I also think there is a problem in publicity. Promotion ei aami jhar ta khachchi. That’s something the producer has to decide. I mostly work with first-time producers. I have tried to do my bit.

Do you have a dream character?

As a kid, I used to aspire to play Debi Choudhurani or Jhansi ki Rani. A lot of better roles have come my way. India is producing a lot of interesting content.

You don’t have any offers in Bengali films...

Once a film-maker had said Bombay theke Bangali aanano maane hochche London e giye Kohinoor dekha (laughs), which is correct maybe. Calcutta too has plenty of actors now who are doing good work. Maybe they don’t need me. I have reached out to a lot of film-makers here. The amount of hard work I have put in for Calcutta, I haven’t even for Bombay. I have couriered the top film-makers my showreel DVDs. They have appreciated my work, but there has been no response after that. Maybe, I am destined to work in Bombay. Despite not doing Bengali films, I travelled with Bouma and Nirban (co-starring Rakhee) to International Film Festival of India, in Goa.

You were saying you are ready to get married. What kind of a man are you looking for?

He has to be genuine and educated. Other than these, I have no demands (laughs). You need a life partner... someone you can spend your life with. Sheta pachchi na! (Laughs)

Pictures: Pabitra Das

Hair and make-up: Abhijit Chanda;

Jewellery: Madanji Meghraj; Location courtesy: Trapeze- Kitchen & Bar

There is something effortless about this draped off-white dress teamed with a red embroidered jacket that is embellished with mirror embroidery in floral patterns

This aubergine drape with a print on it has been paired with a short embroidered jacket. #subtlecharm

Bidita looked delicate pretty in an off-white spaghetti kurta with hand embroidery, teamed with an embroidered sheer net gharara.

This sleeveless red jacket with cut-worked edges and hand-embroidered with bullion knots has been teamed with Garo’s signature dhoti pants in off-white. Just the right amount of fusion.

If you love a bit of drama, accessorise chunky, like we did with this headband designed with Keshi pearls, uncut diamonds and Bikaneri meena work from Madanji Meghraj. A perfect complement to the aubergine set with an embroidered bustier, draped pants and a jacket with asymmetric embroidery.