The year 2020 has started off on a positive note for Mumtaz Sorcar, who now stars in the Tamil film C/o Kaadhal. “Actually 2019 was also a good year for me. Many new beginnings, hoping the year ends the way it started... with a bang!” smiles Mumtaz. A chat...

Your film C/o Kaadhal was scheduled to release on March 20. But it has been deferred...

Considering the time and problem at hand it is only practical to postpone the release of the film. We will be releasing the film at the right time when people will be able to watch it freely and enjoy it. Yes, of course, the anxiety of it all (the film release) continues for us till it releases.

Tell us about C/O Kaadhal...

It is a beautiful love story. I play Saleema in the film. The guy works in a wine shop. The girl goes to buy and the guy makes sure that he gives her the bottle. She is a regular there. This is the only interaction they have for years. He is madly in love with her. Her face is always covered and he gets to see her eyes only. Different love stories are put together in the film. The simplicity and innocence of the story was too touching.

How did this start off?

The director (Hemamber Jasti) got in touch with me, and he knew so much about me... the kind of work I had done in the past. He talks so sweetly and nicely. He would say things like, ‘I know you don’t throw tantrums on the sets. I know you are never late, you are always on time!’ I asked him how did he get to know this but he just smiled. He had seen my movies, which I found out while he was giving me the character brief. We discussed the character over the phone and I really liked it. I shot for the film in Madurai.

Tell us about your look in the film…

It’s very simple. Saleema comes from a poor background. She is independent and strong willed. The director has emphasised on my eyes a lot in the film. It was also challenging and interesting to enact certain scenes where my face is covered, my eyes being the only part exposed. So I had to say Tamil through my eyes. For the rest of the scenes it was the usual challenge of mastering the language and becoming the character. Saleema is a very special character.

What was the most challenging part about your role?

That I had to emote through my eyes.

Mumtaz in Shobdo Jobdo (A still from the web series)

How was the shoot experience?

I was super excited from the first day of shoot. I learnt and remembered all my lines. My director was super proud of me. They treat their actors like gods! They really spoil you. And they shoot scenes with a lot of time… maybe they’ll shoot one scene in a day. My part took 20 days and the film shoot took around two months. Everything was outdoors. What they found interesting was… they told me, ‘Why don’t you take breaks?’ Once a scene is over, I am ready for my next shot. If I am shooting continuously, I get into a rhythm… unless a shoot is mentally or physically very demanding, I don’t take a break. I feel it is important to select and do the right kind of film. One night we were shooting in a locality not so friendly and the mob got a bit out of control... there came a time when I needed to be removed from the location. I literally covered my face like Saleema and just walked casually amidst the crowd and sneaked into my car... and no one even realised that it was me... I remember asking one of the onlookers casually, ‘What’s happening here?’

Would you like to shift base from Calcutta ever?

Why will I shift when I can stay here and work? I did two Hindi films sitting here, a Bangladeshi film, two Tamil films and a Telugu film. Of course, there is one advantage if I stay there. It is much easier than away. I want to stay here because I am too attached to my family. I have some responsibilities. See, I am an actor who can act in any good film in any language anywhere. It is up to me to work hard. I will learn. It is a process.

What’s your takeaway from the film?

I’m very proud to be part of the film and am super happy to have played Saleema. My takeaway from the film is the film itself and the experience, sweet memories with a great unit led by a wonderful director, Hemamber Jasti, a complete gentleman who made sure I felt at home at all times. It was such a delight to work with him and I hope to work with him again... soon!

What is that one thing that you would not do on screen?

Strip completely naked. I was offered a Hollywood film and I was asked if I would do this and I said no.

You are getting into the web space…

I am loving the web world and I want to do more. We get to work with content, which we often don’t get to do in films.

How is 2020 shaping up, work-wise?

The year is looking good. I am loving it. I hope that I get good stuff to sink my teeth into. I want to do work where I can really challenge myself.

Charitraheen 2 (on Hoichoi) was a massive hit. The first season had its own fan following. The second season became so big. I loved my character, a housewife who is married to a doctor. For Shobdo Jobdo (on Hoichoi), I’ve been getting a lot of positive and inspiring feedback from everybody. I’m glad that people loved the series and appreciated everybody’s hard work. Also I’m glad that people loved my character, the look of Sulagna, as it is something very new.