Sohini Sarkar is soaking in the praise coming her way for her performance in Byomkesh Hotyamancha. The Telegraph chat with Sohini.

What was your first reaction when you were approached for the new Byomkesh film, Byomkesh Hotyamancha?

We have a deep connection with Byomkesh. People have showered me with so much love for playing Satyabati... they somehow connect me to Satyabati. I was really happy.

How do you look at Satyabati? How would you describe her?

I am thankful to Satyabati for giving me this kind of popularity. From the first film itself Satyabati has a distinct identity. She is a modern woman who is well-read. She has always introduced herself as Satyabati and never as Byomkesh’s wife. Of course, she feels proud of the achievements of her husband but she never shows off. Whenever a crime takes place, she is there with Byomkesh. Satyabati is involved in every investigation, and Byomkesh gets one of the final clues from Satyabati only. That’s there in every film, and Arindamda (Sil) has kept it like that. He has also nicely defined the nuances of their relationship, their love for each other, chaoya paoya, maan obhimaan, khunshuti, in every film.

Satyabati is pregnant in this film. Is she more careful, concerned and protective throughout the film?

Yes, and they are really concerned about life around them. Since she is becoming a mother, she is more caring, ekta shutor opor mon ta jeno thakey. If Byomkesh comes home late at night, she gets worried. She knows that her husband is a detective but still she is concerned. It is 1971, and the time of Naxal uprising. We have all heard about these turbulent times. So, Byomkesh and Satyabati are thinking about the future of the child... how safe will it be for the child.

Sohini in Byomkesh Hotyamancha

Theatre forms a backdrop in the film. How did it feel to shoot in a similar space?

It is a really interesting premise. The shoot has been done in a cinematic way. The set is beautiful, and, in fact, I was discussing with Arna (Mukhopadhyay) that it would be wonderful if we could get a set like this for our plays. A lot of actors from theatre were also shooting for the film and the process was really nice. And in the film, for the first time a crime happens in front of Byomkesh, Satyabati and Ajit when they go to watch a play.

What was it like working with Abir Chatterjee and Paoli Dam?

Abirda is a fantastic co-actor, and I have learnt a lot from him. It feels great working with him and the shoot happens really smoothly. Paolidi amar khub pochhonder ekjon obhinetri but we didn’t have any scenes together. Hopefully, we will get to work together in a film soon.

What is the best part about Byomkesh Hotyamancha?

It feels great that a Byomkesh film is releasing after four years. And that we could do a film from an incomplete story. It is a whodunit in the real sense.

Pictures: Rashbehari Das

Location courtesy: The Astor

Styling: Abhisek Roy

Outfit: Bohurupi Santiniketan

Jewellery: Earthaments

Make-up: Sanu

Hair: Supriya Mondal