Aparajita Adhya is known for her versatile acting talent on screen and for her generous, affable personality off it. She now has a slew of releases lined up in the coming months, foremost among which is Dilkhush, a love story with a difference. The Telegraph caught up with the actress for a chat on Dilkhush, her co-stars, her journey so far and more. Excerpts.
You have completed more than two decades in the industry. Tell us about the challenges you faced and the high points.
I am in the industry since the days of Doordarshan. Back then, the way we did work was different, be it direction, acting or the technical aspects. People were different. In fact, I am proud to say that I belong to the golden period of Indian television. I witnessed the birth and growth of satellite television and have acted in serials like Beauty Parlour, Ishkaboner Bibi and Ek Akasher Neechey. Stalwarts like Rituparno Ghosh, Anjan Dutt, Kaushik Ganguly, Debangshu Sengupta, Ravi Ojha, Atanu Ghose and others directed television serials and I was fortunate to work with them. Again, the launch of STAR Jalsha brought about huge changes in the pattern of work, and we had to adapt to these changes very quickly. In fact, the rapidly changing scenario with the advent and fast growth of satellite TV channels meant that we had to attune ourselves to changes every now and then and work according to the new requirement. This itself was a big challenge and I am happy to say that I could upgrade myself continuously over the years, survive through all these changes and continue to work with my hands full even today. As you may know, very few artistes or technicians who started out at the same time as me are still a part of the industry now. A significant achievement of my career is that I have been able to hold the audience’s interest for 26 years now. I have consistently reinvented myself and taken up unusual or more challenging kind of roles that have gained a place in people’s hearts. My strong connection with my audience is the reason why I continue to receive the love and adulation of thousands of fans even today.
You have co-acted with Kharaj Mukherjee many times in the past. Share with us your experience of working with him.
Kharaj Mukherjee and Aparajita Adhya in the film Dilkhush
Each time I work with Kharajda is an experience in itself. I am fortunate to have worked with him a number of times. They have given me the chance to see first-hand, what a brilliant actor he is. Watching him act and learning from him is a complete process. It has helped me add a new dimension to my own acting in Dilkhush. In fact, watching him act is so helpful to my own craft that I secretly keep hoping that I get the chance to work with him and others like Kaushik Ganguly, Rajatava Datta and Saswata Chatterjee again and again.
What is your take on Lokkhi Kakima Superstar which is one of the biggest shows on air at the moment?
Yes, it has become very popular with the audience. Only today I was doing a promotional activity at a housing complex, and the people there were so excited to see Lokkhi Kakima (laughs). There were huge crowds of people and it felt good to know that so many people loved the character I portrayed. As for the story, it started off with a lot of promise, but could not live up to its potential. The feel-good factor of the story became so popular that the makers didn’t want to disturb that. So they did not unfold the plot the way it had been initially planned. So that part left a lot to be desired. Now, the show is about to end. However, the experience I shared with my co-actors is unforgettable. From Debashankar Halder (who portrays the role of her husband) I learnt something very important — how to give space to your co-actor. It was truly unbelievable, the way he gave me space to do my work in Lokkhi Kakima Superstar. I also understood how good a human being you need to be before you can become an actor of his calibre.
Are you fond of social media? Do you think it can be another medium of entertainment?
Yes, of course, it can be a source of entertainment. I am not so much a fan of social media but I like watching Instagram reels a lot and I am amazed to see the kind of talent people have. How beautifully they make videos and edit them. I am also happy to see how nicely people dress up, with make-up and everything. Social media is also quite informative and educational. Although there are negative aspects to social media, like everything else, I think it can be a very useful tool to spread knowledge and awareness. Motivational and inspirational videos are my favourite because they enrich our everyday life in small but significant ways. Social media is also a very good platform for showcasing hidden talent.
Tell us something about your forthcoming projects.
My upcoming film is Dilkhush, which releases next week. My next release will be Premendu Bikash Chaki’s Love Marriage, where I had the opportunity to work with Ranjit Mallick, for the second time in my career. It is a sweet romantic comedy. Another forthcoming work is Pavel’s Mon Kharap. I have also completed another love story, Eta Amader Galpo, a film by Manasi Sinha, where I have shared screen space with Saswata Chatterjee. There are other projects about which discussions are on, but shooting hasn’t started yet.
What are your tips for newcomers?
My message is simple and straightforward. Take up this profession only if acting is your passion. Also, a strong foundation in theatre is important. Apart from knowledge of acting, it will help you cope as you try to get your foothold in the industry. I also want to say that if you have an alternate passion, please follow that, as acting as a profession is highly insecure. But if you still insist on it, make sure you learn or know a bit about it before pursuing the profession.
Coming back to Dilkhush, what, according to you, is the meaning of love?
To me, love means being able to see the other person’s inner beauty. It also means giving space to that person to be what he or she is, without trying to change them. I will call it love only if it is unconditional. Love is that emotion which enriches the lives of both the loved one and his or her lover.
Do you think that the concept of love has changed with time or that our understanding of love changes as we grow older?
I think it is natural, that for every generation, the meaning of love will be a little different. For all of us, our concept of love is different from that of our parents’. Even when Tagore spoke of love, he gave completely new ideas about love, something that was unknown to previous generations. However, the basic feeling of love has never changed. The emotions and sensations associated with love are the same today as they were since the beginning of human life. Also, when you fall in love, the feelings you experience are the same, whether you are a teenager, a middle-aged person, or someone who is superannuated. What changes though, is the gesture of love and perhaps our expectations from love, as we grow older and more mature.
Tell us about your character’s journey through love in Dilkhush.
My character Dolly wanted to be a stand-up comedian, but she could not fulfil her dream. Much later in life, she met a man and through her relationship with him, she realised that she deserved to live on her own terms and give priority to her own desires. However, her daughter could not accept her decision. How they deal with their differences and overcome them to finally become friends forms the core of her journey.
What is it about Dolly that you love the most?
Her courage to speak the stark, straightforward truth is what I admire the most.
Was there anything about Dolly that you could identify with?
Yes! Dolly is crazy, choosy but simple and so am I.
