Raima Sen; recreating her grandmother and actress Suchitra Sen’s look and paying a tribute to her
Despite being legendary actress Suchitra Sen’s granddaughter, and Moon Moon Sen’s daughter, Raima Sen, admits that paving her way into Bollywood wasn’t easy. In a chat with BT, the actress opens up about constant comparisons with her grandmother, her struggles, recognition, and what she is looking for in love.
You have featured in several content-driven films. With OTT opening up a plethora of choices for actors, do you feel your career has changed gears after long?
OTT is a new medium but good content was always there, earlier too. During my grandmother’s time, the Hindi film industry made very interesting and progressive films. My grandmother has essayed strong roles in
Devdas
, Aandhi and films like Bambai Ka Babu. Bengali cinema always offered me strong roles, so there was no paucity of good content. In Bollywood, I never got quality roles. However, I am glad that the Hindi film industry is changing and apart from women, every character is playing an important role now. Even supporting actors are playing meaty roles, and the digital medium is not just a hero-based platform. Having said that, I don’t think that people will stop going to the theatres. People enjoy watching films and even Hindi films have interesting content. My film Aliya Basu Gayab Hai with Vinay Pathak is a thriller and just has three characters in it. It was a challenge shooting for the film.
Would you agree that though you have done quality work in Bengal, you are underrated in the Hindi film industry?
I started very young, when I was only 17. At that time, I just went with the flow. I did not organise or strategise my career well. I had no PR manager to guide me, like these young actors have now. I did make a few mistakes. I always wanted to work with filmmakers like Karan Johar or Sanjay Leela Bhansali. In those days, I did hang out at parties and network, too, but it was not done the right way. Maybe that’s why I did not bag the right films in Bollywood.
Did the constant comparison with Suchitra Sen affect you?
Initially, it was tough. There were huge expectations, and especially in Bengali cinema. As a star kid, I got work for the first few years, but then I struggled to get work. I was thrown out of auditions and for almost a year I did not have work. It was my own struggle then. After
Choker Bali
, things changed for me. I also decided that I would never work in any of my grandmother’s remakes because that would mean people would have tremendous expectations.
There are talks of a biopic on Suchitra Sen..
Yes, if a biopic is planned my family will be totally involved. We don’t want anyone to sensationalise her life. And I would love to act in it. My grandmother lived a very private life and even her neighbours did not know her. She wanted it that way after she quit films. So, the script would have to be a tribute to her professional career and not something that would upset her.
On the personal front, you are single. What are your thoughts on marriage?
I did have my share of relationships, but they didn’t work out. I need something solid now, a relationship that will sustain everything. In recent times, I have seen that people don’t have time or patience to work on a relationship. It is not easy to find someone understanding and loving. I would be happy working, if I don’t find someone like my dad or the kind of companionship that my parents have.
When is Raima Sen getting married?
