Rituparna Sengupta opens up about her decades-long screen chemistry with Prosenjit Chatterjee, their 50th film Ajogyo, and playing a mother in the sports drama Dabaru.

Your and Prosenjit Chatterjee’s 50th film Ajogyo has just released. How do you feel when you look back at your journey?

Rituparna Sengupta: The journey has been magical, extraordinary and not normal I guess! (Laughs) We are here for the deep love we receive from the audience. I think we both have evolved as actors and individuals. We have become better with every film and done some extraordinary work over the years.

Why did you think Kaushik Ganguly was the right person to direct your 50th film with Prosenjit?

Rituparna Sengupta: After so many years, working together on our 50th film marked a milestone. This is something special for all of us, a result of hard work, confidence and commitment. Having Kaushikda (Ganguly) as the director is a blessing. He’s a prolific director, proven time and again through his films, communication skills and rapport with the audience. Working with him on this film is a great association, especially after our previous success with Drishtikone, which was a superhit with Surinder Films.

Which are your favourite films co-starring Prosenjit?

Rituparna Sengupta: I think every film has its own charm and each offers something unique. There’s a change in the mindset, rhythm, locations and energy with each project, and the energy for Ajogyo was fantastic. The films I’ve done before have taught me a lot about myself and how to be an actor, providing invaluable mentoring along the way.

I have many favourites, such as Prabhat Roy’s Tumi Ele Tai, Khelaghor and Shudhu Ekbar Bolo; Swapan Saha’s Abujh Mon and Baba Keno Chakor; Haranath Chakraborty’s Sasurbari Zindabad and Aasroy; and Rituparno Ghosh’s Utsav. We have worked on plenty of memorable projects.

From Praktan to Ajogyo, how have you and Prosenjit evolved as a lead pair over the past eight years?

Rituparna Sengupta: This has been an interesting journey. After a long gap of 14 years, Praktan proved how much the Prosenjit-Rituparna pair means to the Bengali audience. The bond of this pair was rekindled with that film. With each film, there is new involvement and communication with the audience. Despite not working together for 14 years, our connection has not faded. There is a magical enigma in our pairing, which has always worked, and with god’s grace this will definitely cast a spell on the audience.

What made you take up Dabaru, your other film which released in May and is running at the theatres?

Rituparna Sengupta: It was a unique script and a new endeavour from the team of Shibu and Nandita-di (Shiboprosad Mukherjee and Nandita Roy). They always try to do something different. This time it was a sports film. Dabaru is a wonderful concept. Though my connection with sports is very weak, a mother-son connection is always eternal and a mother’s contribution to her child’s life cannot be described in words. My role as Karuna and Surya’s mother was a power-packed one.

A mother often faces a lot of criticism and negativity from society for how she raises her child, as we see in Dabaru with regard to your character…

Rituparna Sengupta: Mothers are created and wired in a completely different mould. They become immune to criticism and turn a deaf ear to everything that is detrimental to their child. A mother throws light on everything, be it good, bad or ugly. Emotional turbulence would be there while raising a kid but their sheer focus, confidence and sacrifice makes them mothers. In Dabaru, all the emotions are concentrated on the mother and son, as in real life Surya’s mother plays the guide in his life.

When a child finds their passion, it often clashes with the parents’ desire. Did you face any such difficulties as a mother while dealing with your children?

Rituparna Sengupta: They are still kids. I have never tried to interfere. I want my kids to go with the flow and the priorities of life. If I ever object to anything with regard to my son, that will be for rock climbing.

How was it working with director Pathikrit Basu on Dabaru?

Rituparna Sengupta: Pathikrit is a young, talented director. He is very wise and sorted. He has the calibre to become a more mature director. He is patient and hardworking and will go a long way. Dabaru is a great stepping stone for him.

How was it to reunite with Chiranjeet Chakraborty for this film?

Rituparna Sengupta: He is such a dignified person and so multitalented. I have always loved working with him. I have many superhit films with him. I have worked in three productions where I was his heroine and all of them are superhits. He is a wonderful family friend too… I love Boudi and his daughter very much.

What is next for you?

Rituparna Sengupta: I am currently shooting for Madam Sengupta and have finished the shoot for Puratawn.