On Saturday, a day after the release of the film Manush (starring Jeet, Susmita Chatterjee and Jeetu Kamal), Susmita went for a hall visit with Jeetu. “We quietly entered the theatre five minutes before the end of the film. Once the credits rolled and the lights came on, people started clapping. Then they saw us. They were very happy. Everyone praised us. People there said that they saw me in a new light. The reactions were very genuine and touching,” said the actress. A t2 chat with Susmita.

Do you remember your first hall visit?

My first hall visit was for Prem Tame. The atmosphere was electric and I had experienced the love from the audience for the first time from such close quarters. That was really memorable. And this was my second hall visit. It was really important to understand the pulse of the audience and to connect with them.

How do you look back on your film journey in the last two-and-a-half years?

With each film, my performance is improving. It is an ongoing process. I am a director’s actor and that has always remained the same. The director is the captain of the ship. I feel I have grown as an actor.

Do you have friends in the industry?

No, I don’t have friends in the industry. I have a cordial, working relationship with everyone. By the way, I have stopped going to parties.

Why?

I don’t feel like it. I would rather stay at home and watch a good movie or spend time with family. This is a phase that I am going through right now. Maybe, I’ll start attending parties after some time. Networking, I feel, won’t provide you any work. It is not the way. Your performance speaks for itself. It also depends on the script and director. If a production house sees my potential and has faith in my talent, it will get in touch with me.

You have worked with some of the best in the industry...

I am very fortunate to have worked with the best production houses. I feel blessed. I have started working on my craft. I have started taking acting lessons from Sudipta Chakraborty. I have been attending her workshops.

Why did you decide to do this?

Director Anindya Chattopadhyay had suggested this some time ago... I have the time now to do it. I have never been to an acting institute, and he felt it would do me good. I am passionate about acting, and I felt I needed to learn the grammar of it. I have also decided that I will do less work... I will be very selective about the films I take on. I will only do quality work, and choose it very carefully.

Tell us about the lessons....

I am learning how to do voice modulation... how I can say a dialogue in various ways. I am learning how to control sense organs. I am also learning the behavioral pattern for reaction shots where I have no dialogues. What should I do and not do... where to place my hands when I am in a reaction shot... also, I am learning nuances of character traits... what will be my body language with regard to a character... I am also focusing on the subtext of a scene. I am also trying to improve my Bengali.

Do you keep certain things in mind while performing in a mass film like Manush?

Mass films have a larger audience connect. I am open to all kinds of films, from mass to out-of-the-box to women-oriented films. I would like to know in which genre the audiences love me the most. I’ll gradually know my strengths. Dancing is another passion, and I have also started taking dance lessons. I am learning Bollywood, semi-classical, Indo-Western dance forms.

How did you celebrate your birthday this year?

I went to the temple. I prayed. Later, I cut a cake in Jeet Sir’s office and then another cake with my friends. I am a true Scorpion and I am passionate, determined, brave, extremely honest, ambitious and more.

What’s your fave birthday memory?

I remember giving chocolates, cakes, pencils, erasers, glitter pens, bags and more to my whole class during my school life. Every year my parents used to do that on my special day and that’s what I will never forget because my classmates used to get very excited for my birthday as they knew that it was their gift time of the year.

Why did you say ‘yes’ to Manush?

Because I was doing a film with Jeet Sir as the heroine. Also, I fell in love with my character Kajal. I have action sequences in the film and I got to ride a bike. Kajal also has a different side which I can’t reveal now. Kajal has a lot of shades and that attracted me.

You have done two films with Jeet. What did you learn from him?

A lot... and I am still learning. Jeet Sir is very humble... he has always helped me... guided me. He is very hardworking... and that is very inspiring. Jeet Sir always motivates people. He shares such stories from his life and experiences that really inspire you... you draw strength and hope from that. He is a very helpful, positive human being.

Tell us about Kajal...

She has her own journey... she has her ups and downs. Sometimes she is the protector and sometimes she is the victim. Kajal is a girl with all the love, dreams, and affection.. and she is vulnerable. She has a good heart. I loved shooting my action scene with Ravi Varma (stunt director). It was a blessing. He was very helpful. Also, our director (Sanjoy Somadder) is a very nice, sensible person.

Who is your favourite under-30 actor in Tollywood? Tell t2@abp.in