In a male dominated industry, I'm a shero : Rituparna Sengupta
Rituparna Sengupta
, who is all set to don the director's hat for a documentary on silver screen legend Suchitra Sen, recently took us on a tour of the studio floor where she gave the first shot for her 1992 debut film
Shwet Pathorer Thala
.
Chatting with us during the trip, she reflected on her journey – from facing gender bias and pay disparity to balancing marriage, motherhood, and more. The actress speaks to us about weathering gender bias and pay disparity, balancing home & career, and more.
Excerpts:
'Still fighting pay disparity'
'Pay gaps remain, but I've stood firm for myself and others,' Rituparna said, adding, 'Heroes were long seen as the sole box-office draws, but I gradually earned respect and better pay.
However, there's still a long road ahead.'
Gratitude for the journey
Reflecting on her journey, the actress said, 'From arriving at this studio in a white Ambassador with my mother to now entering in a luxury car with security, I feel blessed. Many families depend on me, and my hard work has enabled employment for others. Every failure was a lesson; every success fuelled my hunger.'
Rituparna shows us the house in which she spent her formative years
Fame: Then vs now
'When I started, no social media existed; fans eagerly awaited magazines and films, creating a slow but magical rise to fame,' she said, adding that fame is instant today, thanks to reels and viral moments.
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'But it's often fleeting. I'm grateful for my steady, meaningful journey and the love from my audience,' she added.
OTT roles: Waiting for the right script
Asserting that cinema remains her passion, Rituparna said she hasn't found a compelling enough OTT script yet. 'I'm open to roles older than my age – if the story is powerful,' she added.
Tollywood's need for visionary producers
The veteran actress said Tollywood needs patient, visionary producers, who are willing to invest and take risks.
'The industry's financial backing is weak, which limits creativity. Filmmaking requires time and belief, unlike instant returns in other fields,' she added.
This is the window where I gave my first shot in my debut movie,' the actress told us at a city studio
Marriage and motherhood: Breaking barriers
The actress revealed that marriage brought along its share of challenges, especially in an industry where married actresses were often sidelined. 'I chose to be open about it, returning to work just a month after my wedding.
I turned what some saw as a drawback into strength – not just for me but for all women actors. Motherhood was a blessing, and though I faced body shaming, I bounced back stronger every time. I embraced both fully and balanced work with life, which I believe is my true strength.
The industry has evolved since then; talent now matters more than body size or marital status,' she added.
This is the office which I often used to do my makeup when the makeup room was occupied by seniors,' Rituparna told us
A male-dominated industry
Revealing that she's seen the male-driven nature of the film industry from close quarters, Rituparna said, 'Heroes always took centre-stage, with stories revolving around their larger-than-life personas.
As a female lead, I was often the hero's shadow, yet I was fortunate to play well-written roles. Today, I'm confident I can carry a film on my own.'
Rituparna is planning to put together a documentary on Suchitra Sen and other yesteryear icons
Quotes:
Male stars once dominated sets and decisions. Actresses struggled for basics like makeup rooms. Over time, I earned my voice and priority dates. Today, they call me a 'shero' – a hero in my own right
My film Sasurbari Zindabad recently re-released to warm reception. Seeing old classics on the big screen connects generations. Uttam Kumar's films still draw crowds and support veteran artistes
I once stopped working with a top star for 14 years, trusting my talent. I stayed focused on my craft and the audience supported me
After becoming a mother, there were no fixed hours or luxuries; we worked tirelessly. I was lucky to take breaks when needed, thanks to understanding producers
This house on Raja Basanta Roy Road is where I grew up, started shooting, and met my husband Sanjay. Ei bari jane amar prothom sob kichu
Pix:
Anindya Saha
Makeup, hair and styled by:
Kaushik-Rajat
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