"Being Sushmita Sen, I have an intelligent mind and that shows in my eyes" - Sushmita Sen

Courtesy: IndiaFM

Sushmita Sen may not be counted in top five actresses but definitely falls into the category of fine actors. Her charm, beauty and intelligence speak through her performance. Basanti is one of her brilliant performance, where she is plays a prostitute. Shedding her glamorous look to play Basanti in Chingari was not an easy task for Sushmita.

Tribute to my Goddess
When Kalpanji came to me she had a synopsis, rather an idea, which was there with her since long time. It's written by Bhupen Hazarika. I accepted this movie for some reasons. First of all I like the character of Basanti. Secondly, even before Kalpanji reached to the climax I agreed to do it and finally I feel this is not just a film for me but my tribute to my goddess Maa Kali. It's a film, not for me or for my career or displaying my acting abilities. It's a tribute to my goddess. It has Maa Kali and Maa Durga as intrinsic part in it. And so Chingari is not just a film but it's a tribute.

Basanti was a difficult task
As this movie reflects the rural lower calls of the society we shot the film at Satara, Wai and Panchagani. The more I thought about this character Basanti I found it far more difficult to play. Everything from her language, lifestyle and her profession of a prostitute looked so difficult. But when we reached there to shoot the movie, from day one till the last day, we never felt that we had to put much of an effort to make it. It was just love in the character and projecting it onscreen that helped us to get through. Such was the magic!

Journey from a girl to woman
This is a story of a woman and the emotions and feelings of woman are same in every class. I never thought the class I belong to or the character I am going to portray needs any homework for that. But because I was playing a prostitute, for that I had to keep aside some rules and factor. I feel that you cannot prepare yourself for this character because prostitution is a profession that you don't train for. My director Kalpanaji did the home work with help of her assistant. And I shaped my self into the character; rather I molded myself the ways she wanted. It was a journey from an innocent girl to a woman where I can't lie but with me. And to lie with your eyes is far more difficult. I learned it for the first time and I hope I pulled it off to that much of an extent. Being Sushmita Sen I have an intelligent mind and that shows in my eyes, so to act like a child was very difficult.

Speak through the heart
Ila Arun is a fantastic actress. She is playing the role of the madam of a brothel named Lal Batti. She is so talented in speaking languages, which helped me too. The language used in the movie is rural and quite difficult initially. I feel no language is difficult if you speak through the heart. It is difficult when you mug up the dialogues and speak. As an actor you should speak in your own style and that liberty was given by my director to me to speak in my style.

No one can beat Mithun da
As we all know Anuj is a new entrant to the industry, reflects lot of optimism, enthusiasm in him, is a very hardworking boy and childish as well. But you will like him in the film for the reason he was cast for which I must compliment my director Lajmi. She took him the way she wanted. It's a story of a small female child from her early stage of life to becoming a woman and continues till she turns out to be a Chingari. And when an actor holds the character, you find difficult to understand that difference. That's where you cannot beat Mithun Chakraborty. He is so good in the film and 300 times effective as an actor, I ever imagined him.

Chingari has a musical flow
The music is wonderfully done by Adesh Shrivastav. Four songs featured on me have their own value. They go with the storyline. The film is like poetry. It has a musical flow in it. Initially we thought why to keep music or songs. But then we realized that this is not exactly an art film alone, it has its commercial aspect and music is part of that commercial aspect. My favorite song is 'Dulhan Dulhan' which is beautifully sung by Vijayta Pandit and composed by Adesh Shrivastav. It's very special to me. It touched my heart. The ways she represents a prostitute's marriage is wonderful. Though the rituals are quite normal for a common girl, it means a lot to a prostitute. It's about how suddenly a prostitute becomes exclusive only for one man. I always like Sushmita Sen but the one character I like apart from myself is Basanti.

An exhausting movie
It was an emotionally and physically exhausting movie. I was tired. Because it's an intense and heavy film as it is bound to be. I had a wish that the film should be shorter and not to be very long. I have given an honest performance. What's to be seen now is how it touches the audience's hearts.

Director's vision
I have always been called as glamorous and that's how it stuck in mind. When Kalpanaji came to me, I thought why she would want me for this role? But when a director spots you, he or she shows that confidence to use that talent in you. And that is why she is a director and I am an actor. Every actor has a wish to play every kind of role. But that's followed by a fear of reaching to perfection. But when a director keeps faith on you and your abilities that fear is totally vanished. I remember the climax where you will not find me. She is no more Basanti and is totally possessed by Maa Kali or Durga. I have not done anything in that scene, but stood in front of the frame and whatever has happened has happened on its own. I cannot explain it. You have to see it. Chingari is one of my performances which will never be forgotten.