Roja Paromita Dey is neck-deep in conversation with her tailor when we call her for a chat. Her brand Fanush by Roja, which she launched in the middle of the pandemic, is busy meeting the Diwali deadline, always a good pressure for a homegrown venture. Roja has more reasons to be excited as multiple acting projects of hers will hit streaming platforms this festive season and she also has a film releasing next year. In a chat with t2, Roja tells us about her projects and why she is relishing her 30s.
This is a special festive season for you with multiple projects releasing…
Parnashavarir Shaap, a horror-thriller web series, is the first to release, which will stream on Hoichoi from November 10. It’s directed by Paramda (Parambrata Chattopadhyay). And there was this amazing cast that I shot with which included Surangana (Bandyopadhyay), Anindita (Bose), Gaurav (Chakraborty) and Arna (Mukhopadhyay). I knew all four of them beforehand, so we had a blast shooting for it in Darjeeling. The character though was very challenging. I thoroughly enjoyed that experience.
At the end of November, I have Raja Chanda’s Picasso coming up on KLIKK. This is also a web series, a murder mystery, thriller. That is opposite Totada (Roy Choudhury). I am playing his wife. Saurav Das and Srijla Guha play important parts.
Incidentally, these are Raja Chanda and Paramda’s first web series as directors.
And then I have a film coming up with Anikda (Anik Datta) called Joto Kando Kolkatatei. We wrap up the shoot this month. The story is about a girl searching for her roots.
The time around which I had started out as a model, Bhooter Bhobishyot had released and I had told Dodo (then boyfriend and now husband, Indraneel) that I wish I could work with Anikda someday and exactly 10 years from then, I am living my dream because I got to work with Anikda. It’s a dream come true. In Bhobishyoter Bhoot, I had a tiny role, but this is more meaty. I have also shot many TVCs with him.
Tell us about the characters you have played...
I had almost given up hope that aami aar acting korchhi na, but then these characters were so interesting that I had to play them. These are no longer model, pretty-face urban characters. They are complex ones with shades of grey. They evolve and transform.
Neat sophistication makes this one a great Diwali puja-to-party look. An elaborate necklace and a couple of bangles complement the green pure silk Benarasi and the simple ponytail and dewy look. "I have always wanted to buy a green Benarasi, which I never did. I think it looks fabulous. A decade of modelling but I barely have any pictures in a green sari. So, I thought it would look different. This shoot is festive, glam and chic and it has to be a little different from what I usually do in my personal life," says Roja
Both Sita in Parnashavarir Shaap and Ananya in Picasso... their contribution is important to the story. You might think they are black or white in the beginning, but that changes once the story unravels. This was the most challenging part for me, but this also attracted me most at the same time. There was so much I could do with it and it was relatable.
Was Parnashavarir Shaap more challenging to shoot?
The challenge was we shot in the hills and it was raining at the same time. Many of my scenes were right in the middle of the forest. It was physically challenging for the entire team.
I get allergies from moss and mud, but doing Parnashavarir Shaap made me forget it all. This was the first time something like that happened to me. I wasn’t Roja. I had become Sita.
A mix of drama and tender femininity makes this dual fuchsia pink pure silk Benarasi look so beautiful. "I had not decided on a pink sari. It is only after seeing the sari that I chose to do pink. I am extremely fond of saris without a border. It’s a classic festive colour. The moment I saw the sari, I knew the look I wanted. I am sure of the drama that I want. I love flowers in my hair and I have experimented with every kind of flower, but never Baby's-breath. It looks really nice," says Roja. The bold eyes, the small bindi and elegant jewellery play perfect co-stars
Why didn’t you take up that many acting projects in the last few years?
Since starting my acting career in 2015, I have done a film a year. That is also quite a slow pace, but they were all with good directors, fantastic production houses and amazing cast. So, I was damn lucky.
My last film was Bhobishyoter Bhoot in 2019 and my last web series was Roktopolash on KLIKK (written and directed by Kamaleswar Mukherjee), last year. After Bhobishyoter Bhoot, I got married and then there came the pandemic. I think we were at our lowest low during the pandemic. I can’t dwell in uncertainty for too long. So, I decided to start with my brand (fashion label Fanush by Roja) and keep myself busy with some kind of creative exercise. Also, I believe I can do things simultaneously.
A mix of drama and tender femininity makes this dual fuchsia pink pure silk Benarasi look so beautiful. "I had not decided on a pink sari. It is only after seeing the sari that I chose to do pink. I am extremely fond of saris without a border. It’s a classic festive colour. The moment I saw the sari, I knew the look I wanted. I am sure of the drama that I want. I love flowers in my hair and I have experimented with every kind of flower, but never Baby's-breath. It looks really nice," says Roja. The bold eyes, the small bindi and elegant jewellery play perfect co-stars
This year, however, was a surprise (laughs). I wasn’t in touch with any of them but I have known them for a long time. All the characters were so good. An actor can only perform if you are given the chance. I had a lot to bring to the characters. I have given them my best.
Also, many people feel that models can’t act well. So, they won’t even explore. I realised this when I saw the surprise on the faces of my directors after the first shot: ‘Aare tumi toh bhalo acting paro!’ (Laughs) I think they were pleasantly surprised and I have had the scope of learning from them too.
Do you love acting?
I had always thought of exploring acting but didn’t know how to approach it. I did an acting workshop with Sohagdi (Sohag Sen) and within six months I got Katmundu (directed by Raj Chakraborty). Maybe I manifested it and I fell in love with this. I think I am the happiest and at my best when I am on the sets.
Are you more settled in your mind now about the choices you make?
I am way more confident than I ever was. I was confused between 2015 and 2017 as to which way I should drive my career. I didn’t feel I was in control, but right now I think I know myself better. I can approach someone and say that I am a fan and that I want to work with him or her.
How was it working with Parambrata Chattopadhyay?
He has a clear vision of what he wants, communicates that with ease, and is also open to ideas. Since he is a brilliant actor himself, he adds a lot to his actors’ performances.
And, Raja Chanda?
He is very sorted as a director. Calm and composed, and creates a very comfortable space for his actors. We didn’t have much time to discuss my character, but he showed so much confidence in my understanding of Ananya, it was very encouraging for me.
Finally, how are your 30s treating you?
My 20s were a roller-coaster ride. Though I had a long list of achievements during that phase, I felt scattered. Forget giving myself credit, I would often be my harshest critic.
I think that has changed. In my 30s, I feel more self-assured. I am very comfortable in my skin and I am kinder to myself. That is very liberating. Don’t always look at the big picture. If you zoom in, you end up enjoying the small things. I love spending time with my family and I know who my friends are. If I am feeling a certain way, I know what to do about it. I am more productive with this approach and it’s helping me a lot.
Hair and make-up: Abhijith Chanda
Saris: Rangoli (Park Street)
Jewellery: Bhuramal Rajmal Surana: Johuree — since 1735 (Vaibhav Shopping Plaza, 4 Lee Road)
Location: IndeModerne (12/E Park Street, Queens Mansion)