She loves being pushed out of her comfort zone and that’s the kind of role that Parno Mittrah is looking forward to. The actress spoke to us about the character she plays in Haranath Chakraborty’s Tarokar Mrityu, her equation with co-star Ritwick Chakraborty and her other projects.

What have you been doing between Dharmajuddha, which released last year, and Tarokar Mrityu?

Parno Mittra: I have been travelling, shooting other films and chilling at home. I did an OTT project called Homestay Murders for Hoichoi. I have done two Bangladeshi films — Sunetra Sundaram and Bildakini. Right now I’m shooting for Onko Ki Kothin with Saurav Palodhi.

We don’t see you much in films. Is it because of a lack of good scripts coming your way?

Parno Mittra: Yes, but there is also a lack of directors coming to me (laughs). As an actor, I look for something exciting. I don’t like to portray the same kind of roles again and again. A painter will not paint the same picture all the time. I want to experiment with roles and add new elements. I like being challenged.

What was it about Haranath Chakraborty’s Tarokar Mrityu that made you say yes?

Parno Mittra: Haranath Chakraborty and Ranjit Mallick, both. The film has a horror element to it, which is quite exciting. It was a nice, good script.

You play Ritwick Chakraborty’s wife in the film…

Parno Mittra: She suffers from mental health disorders. She hallucinates. It is not the type of characters I usually play. I am usually like the stronger, fierce, feisty woman in films. In Tarokar Mrityu, my character is weak and naive. My husband gaslights me. He is toxic. It is interesting to be on the other side of the spectrum.

It is after a long time that you paired up with Ritwick. Your chemistry with him has always been appreciated by the audience.

Parno Mittra: I love working with Ritwick. He is very chilled out, an easy person. It is always fun to collaborate with great actors. It is always fun to work with artists who want to give that extra something to the role and add spark to the film.

How has it been working with Haranath Chakraborty?

Parno Mittra: He is the sweetest person on the set. I would love to work with him again. He is very clear in his vision. He tells you what he wants. He just expects actors to deliver what is written in the script.

Which of your roles do you consider outstanding and why?

Parno Mittra: I loved playing Rittika in (Mainak Bhaumik’s) Bedroom. It is one of my favourite characters. I will do better justice to it now because back then I was very young. But I feel I still did a good job.

I loved playing Ashima in (Kaushik Ganguly’s) Apur Panchali. I also loved playing Shabnam in (Raj Chakrabarty’s) Dharmajuddha. It was very challenging; I didn’t know if I would be able to pull it off. When I finally saw the film, I was quite impressed. I love working hard and exploring new identities. I hope more such roles come to me.

Any role that made you feel ‘I wish I could do that’?

Parno Mittra: I would have loved to be in a film like Monsoon Wedding. What a brilliant film! Tillotama Shome is brilliant in the film Sir. I would have loved to portray that role. Konkona SenSharma’s role in Ajeeb Daastaans and Radhika Apte’s in Lust Stories made me feel the same. I am a greedy actor. I want to do many roles.

What challenges you as an actor?

Parno Mittra: Interesting and nuanced characters. I should have something new to do. I want to do roles where I need to prepare hard and become someone else. I should be able to convince the audience that it’s not me, it’s the character. That is what excites and challenges me. I wish there were better opportunities for all of us. Most of the roles are repetitive.