It’s been a year since Srijit Mukherji’s X=Prem released in theatres. Madhurima Basak, who stars in X=Prem, vividly remembers shooting for a crucial scene. “It is all four of us in that particular scene... four different emotions all strung by one common thread of love and what love brings to each of the characters. The scene for me is the high point and it needed the best from all the actors,” says Madhurima, who is now soaking in the praise coming her way for her latest web series Gentlemen, streaming on Addatimes. A t2 chat.

Who is a perfect gentleman according to you? How would you define him?

One who is empathetic, well-mannered, chivalrous, rooted yet liberal and loyal enough to stand by his family and friends through thick and thin!

How is the feedback on the series so far?

It has been so good so far... I have been receiving congratulatory and appreciation posts in my timeline and inbox... I have come across some YouTube reviews that have appreciated the series and my work and were pleasantly surprised by the kind of content it brought to the table in the context of Bengali web. The best compliment I received was that I held my own amongst veteran actors.

Why did you say ‘yes’ to Gentlemen?

For it was new and unexplored.... I haven’t done anything like this before... a mix of comedy and thrill is an interesting genre. Also I had watched one of the earlier works of Addatimes, Khyapa, and that blew my mind. It was written by Riddhi and when he offered Gentlemen to me I had no hesitation in saying ‘yes’ that very moment.

Tell us about your character.

She is fun, cool, and a music fanatic who takes inspiration from sounds from everyday life to make music... and to add to the twist has a double role angle to it.

How was your shooting experience?

It was enriching and fun. Comedy isn’t easy and to have worked with such good actors with impeccable comic timing raised my game. Also, playing a double role was interesting... there have been difficult and hectic days on shoot like we had to shoot at the beach during the wintery afternoons that froze me... we had to walk a mile or two to get to the hotel on that windy November evening as cars couldn’t be made available due to high tide.

How different is shooting for the web?

Fewer re-takes... in fact, one-take scenes mostly... so one had to be very sure and well-researched and rehearsed beforehand.

Have you taken a break from serials and films now? Why?

Yes, I have taken a break to upgrade myself... 11 years of television has cramped my headspace. I needed a break to sort things out and re-align. I want to take up acting classes and workshops, learn nuances of the craft, read books, watch movies from around the world, and indulge in spiritual and physical well-being. I have joined dance classes to do something I always ran away from... I want to fight my fears and take new strides. I want to be Madhurima Basak 2.0 when I come back.

X= Prem completed a year recently. How do you remember the film now?

It’s my biggest break to date that made me realise that no dream is too big if you do not give up on them. Being directed by Srijit Mukherji and to be launched under SVF in your very first are what dreams are made of.

What are your favourite memories from the shoot?

The first day at shoot was in fact the most memorable as it was probably the most important scene in the movie where all four of us come together facing our realities and secrets all at the same time. The way they all made me comfortable and the bonding on the very first day was so heartwarming that it made the rest of the shoot a joyful ride.

What is your takeaway from the film?

The learning of the craft... that subtle can be so impactful, and that black and white can be so colourful. That not just watching films but playing a character in a film too can take you down memory lane and make you think once again what could have been. I take away all the shooting memories, the bonding on sets, the songs and everything that made this film. I take away the fact that it is bhalobashar morshum (season of love).

How did first love happen?

It was amateurish. Everyone around was falling in love at that point during school. A certain kind of peer pressure led me to fall in love with a friend. It was cute and innocent while it lasted.

How did you feel during that time?

It felt nice to have someone who would wait the whole day to meet me, for maybe just a few minutes. He would leave his football match to come and see me. He would cycle past just to get a glimpse while my mom and I would return from the bazaar... it felt special to have my birthday planned and receive surprise gifts. I too would do the same for him in return... it was all very pure and ’90s kind of old-school romance.

What was the definition of love for you back then?

Love for me was to live for the one I loved and live with him for the rest of my life. It was unconditional and loving beyond your own self.