'She (Suchitra Sen) gave us her blessings': Raima Sen

Slowly but steadily Raima Sen has made her mark as a 'director's actor'. Sreya Basu caught up with the actor in-between shots on the sets of Bengali film 'Natobar Not Out' in Kolkata

While your sister Riya is strictly into Hindi films, we see you more in Bengali films. Why?

I am an actor and my priority is scripts. I only do films where my character has a realistic approach. The script and screenplay have to be really strong...Bollywood, Tollywood (Bengali film industry) , I will work wherever my criteria is fulfilled.


Riya is younger to you, but she entered the film industry much before you...

Yes, that's because I wanted to stay in Kolkata and complete my graduation. And it also took me a longer time to decide on the move. My sister was more spontaneous in her decision.


Your mother (Moonmoon Sen) said you always wanted to be an actor, while Riya was doing fashion designing. So what took you so long to decide?

I never thought of pursuing any other career than acting. But I didn't want to make a hasty decision. I didn't want to do brainless roles.


You didn't go for a formal training in acting?

No. But I believe in getting trained through experience. My directors have always helped me with the nuances of acting. I am much better an actor now than I was in my earlier films.


Initially you had problems in speaking Hindi as well?

Yes. I hired a tutor to teach me the right diction and dialogues. The tutor also used to accompany me to the dubbing studios.

While now-a-days heroines mostly go for frivolous roles, we see you more in serious films...

It was not a conscious decision to choose serious films, but a decision to choose the best of the lot. But I love doing the 'frivolous' roles you are talking about...it will be fun to try those as well (smiles).


What did your grandmother (Suchitra Sen) say when you and your sister decided to join films? As far as we know, she was not very willing to allow your mother join films.

She (Suchitra Sen) gave us her blessings. I think she was not strict to us as she was with Mummy because we are her granddaughters. She lets us do whatever we like. And also, may be because, she doesn't care about these things any more.


Suchitra Sen watches your films?

Not really; may be at times when they are on television.


People compare you more with Suchitra than Riya...

Yeah! May be, because I look like Suchitra Sen (smiles). And hence, they expect me to catch up with her acting stature sometime in future.


When do you plan to get married?

Marriage can wait for a long time now. But I will definitely get married in future.