Actor Sameera Reddy was back in Calcutta after seven long years for just two days, and she plans to come back again to experience the grandeur of Durga Puja in the city. “I can’t leave my children for a maximum of two days. If I don’t see them, I go crazy,” said the Maine Dil Tujhko Diya actor who was at Westside on September 23 to launch the retail fashion giant’s autumn-winter edition of its Limitless campaign. Wearing a maroon flared kurta and complementing it with a Benarasi dupatta of the same hue, she shared the podium with our very own Swastika Mukherjee for a quick chat before they both made their way to a fashion show on the second floor of the store at Pataka House, Park Street. Post the glam walk we caught up with the effervescent actor who spoke to t2 about the fiery spirit in women of the city, her Insta reels and more. Excerpts.

After how long are you coming to Calcutta?

Oh my god, seven years! After I got married, I stopped going to places. Also, I have always been to Calcutta for professional reasons. And I am glad I am here. This is my first trip after a long gap and I have been invited again for Durga Puja closer to the month, so I am looking forward to it. I had also wished for it and it seems like the universe wanted me to be here. I really want to see pandals in all its glory.

You look gorgeous and seem all set for Durga Puja.

Absolutely. Just this morning I went to Park Street and I ate a ‘Kalkatta paan’, I ate some puchkas, some rosogollas and then I went around asking people all sorts of questions, like ‘What makes Bengali women fiery?’ And the answers were too good; it was unbelievable. I realised that the spirit of the women is something different in this city and in the city’s women. And I think a little bit of that came into me and I am quite excited.

Don’t you think all of us are these feisty women ready to fight all odds?

We are but we don’t believe it. That’s the problem. We waste a lot of time in our teens being fed wrong messages that women need to be saved or protected by a man or marriage… like this princess is waiting in the tower and will only arrive in life when she gets that perfect bridal set and that perfect man. Success is equated with that and it is wrong. I have a three-year-old daughter and not that I will turn her into someone who will go to the other end of the spectrum but I want her to be neutral and understand who she is and then choose accordingly. If she chooses not to get married or have children... that shouldn’t define her as someone who is not successful. Everything needs to be redefined and it has to start with us because we have years of upbringing that we can’t fight and that in my opinion is what needs to change. That’s why I am focussed on a voice which empowers women together. If we are not going to support each other then who will. We have to rise together.

Sameera Reddy and Swastika Mukherjee joined for a quick chat on shattering stereotypes and being limitless. The duo spoke about different aspects of fashion, body positivity and self-love. Swastika, who has experimented with her hair a lot and has broken stereotypes, said: “Even when I had gone full buzz cut, I wore a kanjivaram and went to an event. I have always loved experimenting. So, I am rooting for women who love sporting short hair.” The chat ended with the two beautiful women talking about Puja in Calcutta. Pabitra Das

Things have changed a lot, don’t you think?

I actually thank social media for that. People think of social media as a medium that is giving out wrong messages and creating anxiety but I think it has given voice to plus-size people, helped in combatting body shaming. It has given me a voice to be myself and show my grey hair and be body positive. Social media is reaching a lot of people and reaching faster and I like that.

Your social media game has changed drastically during the pandemic.

It’s actually the lockdown that led to it. I had severe anxiety during the lockdown because I couldn’t believe what was happening. Also, my son was petrified of even going into the lift. I became the mummy clown trying to keep spirits high. Honestly, I was nervous and scared. When you become a mother, your life is about protecting your little ones. And what’s interesting is that my mother-in-law understood it all. She understood that these ridiculous videos were my way of releasing all the pressure. She joined in the fun and it really worked.Through these videos I also realised that there was an actor, a director, a producer and cameraman within me. Being an actor, we were spoilt as we had an entourage behind us but this time I picked up the camera and while having fun made videos that clicked with the masses. I needed a laugh and I knew people needed it too.

Do you remember your first video?

The first video we made was about conserving food or making use of leftover food as we didn’t have access to fresh food everyday, like during normal days. We made funny videos and that became a rage and today we have our own series — Messy Mamma and Sassy Saasu.

The series is still doing well. What are your plans with it?

I don’t plan anything; I just go with the flow. What makes me happy right now is that I can connect with so many people without even physically being there. Today, I would read a women’s DM crying about an abusive marriage or a person who feels I gave him/her strength that day. It touches my heart; I feel privileged and honoured that women look at me like that today and I feel very humbled.

Do you miss the camera?

I have tried my best to think if I can leave the kids and till now, I am not getting the answer. I am getting a lot of offers but I am not ready yet. Maybe not for another year.

Are you planning to do something else, like writing a book?

I was offered a book about two years ago but I will be very honest, I am very greedy of spending time with my kids. Whatever time I get I make fun videos and the rest of the time goes in managing a household which is extremely exhausting. In the middle of the shoot, I will get calls for things like: ‘What to make for dinner? Or milk has exhausted or biscuits are not there and it’s very strange how these small things can exhaust a person. Between all that and my kid’s homework and trying to have me-time I don’t think I have the bandwidth to do more.

What kind of roles are you looking forward to?

Very women-centric and powerful roles. I definitely want something to come through which has a touching point that no one is willing to do. If somebody is not willing to do it, I am willing to do it. I definitely think my mindset has changed. It’s less about glamour and more about being real. And I think that lots of women are struggling with many issues and the more we speak about it the more we can bring about some kind of healing.