Hailing from Assam, actress Auroshikha Dey now calls Mumbai her home. Like countless others, she made the ‘City of Dreams’ her home with the hope of becoming an actress. What makes pursuing the dream possible for her even after striving for a decade? “Belief,” says the actress, who featured in films like The Warrior Queen of Jhansi , Lomad and The Shameless, which was recently screened at Cannes. For this t2 chat on Mumbai, its monsoon, her love for all things bright and colourful, Bengali films and more, Auroshikha did an exclusive shoot for us at some of her favourite spots in Mumbai. An exclusive chat and shoot.

It is monsoon in Mumbai and you did a lovely shoot for us at a few spots in the ‘City of Dreams’ where you love experiencing it the most. What do you enjoy about Mumbai’s monsoon?

I love Mumbai during the rainy season, especially because the weather is so beautiful. It is not that cold but slightly chilly. And being a foodie, I feel it is the best season to enjoy my cup of coffee with all kinds of fritters! I think Mumbai is beautiful during the rainy season. My favourite place to hangout is Third Wave for their coffee. I think they have brilliant coffee, so I just love chilling there and watching the rain outside while pondering on life. So, we did one shot there. The other place that I really love to hangout during the monsoon season, or otherwise, is the beach. This season always brings with it the craving to eat something spicy and nice in the evenings…so I love to sit by the beach and indulge in corn sticks. It is the perfect combination to lift my spirits. So, we chose that spot for one of the frames. There is a great ramen bowl place in Seven Bungalows. We did not shoot there, but I love that place as a foodie.

You are quite a fitness freak too as we can see on your Insta. And you chose to keep one frame for that. What’s fitness to you?

It is a regular thing for me. It is more to do with my lifestyle than with my profession. I am an Army officer’s daughter…so getting up early in the morning and going for a mandatory workout has always been a part of my everyday lifestyle. I love yoga, cardio, simple stretches, meditation and everything else related to fitness. I love to have a strong body. In the field that I am in, we do require a strong body. I am an early morning person, so I prefer my workout session in the morning itself.

You have been in the acting profession over a decade now and since the beginning of your career, the kind of films that you have been doing are mostly in the indie genre and some acclaimed ones, like Lomad and The Shameless.... How do you choose your scripts and do you very consciously choose such films or the genre?

I take projects as it comes. As an actor, I look for roles that are unconventional and pose challenges for me. It is precisely what captivates me about a film or web series. As an actor, for me, both the role and the story are integral parts of the project that I choose to do. The role has to be important enough in a way without which you cannot imagine the film, be it commercial or indie. I don’t see the genre of the project that I choose to do. I see the importance of the role for that film. I want to do as many roles as possible as an actor, be it in independent or commercial genres.

A film that you have been a part of — The Shameless — was screened at Cannes this year. How excited are you for its release for your audience in India?

I am totally excited! To show the film at such a prestigious platform for a global audience was a big thing. For me, it was an achievement as an actor. So, I am very excited and looking forward to showing the film in my country so that people can see this beautiful project that our entire team has created. With an Indian cast and international crew, the shooting experience was amazing.

A film like The Shameless came to you after spending more than a decade in the industry. We know being an actor is all about patience. What is your pick-me-up mantra while staying patient for such roles?

It is the belief. I believe in myself as a person and I have never let down my hopes or dreams. I have never doubted this belief. I always knew that things would not be easy for me in Bombay. I already came to the city with that thought in mind. So, I have kept my vision totally clear about my career and I love what I do. I enjoy acting. When I see a camera, I am totally a different person. I enjoy my career as an actor and I have always believed myself as an actor. I have never let down my dreams and that is exactly what gets me going. I have never doubted my struggle. I have enjoyed my struggle but at no point was I tired of my struggle. My belief always takes me forward.

How often do you come to Calcutta and what do you love about the city?

I have my relatives in Calcutta. So, I visit them often. I love spending time with them. I love to roam around the city and enjoy the food there. I love Bengali food and the city’s street food. Apart from the food, I love the vibe of the people. I love Bengali music. It takes me back to my cultural roots every time I listen to Rabindrasangeet. Dakshineswar is a must-visit for me every time I visit the city and I love hanging out on Park Street. It is all about the vibe. All my friends in Bombay constantly talk about the city’s rich culture and literature, its people, food and everything else!

Do you also wish to work in Bengali films?

I wish to and want to. The moment I get an opportunity, I am going to pack my bags and fly to Calcutta. I am patiently waiting for this moment.

Who are your favourite filmmakers from the Bengali film industry?

There are many filmmakers whose films I love to watch, like Kaushik Ganguly, Raj Chakraborty, Anik Dutta and Atanu Ghosh. I recently saw the web series Dadur Kirti and loved it. I also watched Adv. Achinta Aich sometime back. It is nicely made. From the recent releases, I loved watching Projapoti, Tonic and Aparajito. I have watched most of Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak films. I am from FTII, and in our institute, we were shown a lot of Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen films. I enjoy watching all kinds of Bengali films. In most cases, it connects me to my roots. When I watch Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, I connect to my culture differently. And then, when I watch a film like Projapoti or Tonic, I connect in a completely different way. But what is important is for the film to stay with me.

Would you call yourself a fashionista?

(Pauses for a few minutes) I can call myself a fashionista. I like dressing up.

Your wardrobe is all about bright colours, be it the outfits you chose to sport at Cannes or the pictures we can see on your Insta. Is it an extension of who you are as a person?

Yes, very much! I love bright colours because that is who I am inside-out. I cannot sit at home and think that life is unfair; this is good and this is bad. I always find a reason to enjoy my life. Whatever reason I get, I celebrate it in a bright and colourful manner. That’s how I see myself.

What’s waiting in the pipeline in terms of work?

There are many films. But the only one that I can talk about is a web series I am doing for MX Player. Its tentative title is Chota Yadav.

 Outfit: Floral short dress from Urmish
Make-up: Neeraj Navare
Hair: Rekha Chouthani