New Delhi, July 9 -- "Do you have a dream role?" we asked Satakshi Nandy over the phone. "I still don't have the privilege to choose my roles," she said with quiet honesty. But if she ever gets that chance, she'd love to portray an influential figure from history. She doesn't name anyone in particular but said it could be a celebrated singer or dancer. We mention 'Eetha', in which Shraddha Kapoor plays Lavani legend Vithabai. "Yes, I am interested to watch her," Satakshi said. It's during this conversation that the correspondent is reminded of the lyrical, fearless and raw performances she delivered in the web series 'Birohi' and later in 'Nadharer Bhela', both directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Pradipta Bhattacharya.
Perhaps that lyrical quality and raw expressiveness stem from the fact that Satakshi is a trained dancer and theatre actor. She spent a year in Bengaluru attending workshops in movement arts. She also trained in martial arts, boxing, wrestling, 'Kalaripayattu' and various dance movement forms. Laughing aloud, she said, "I am a jack of all trades, master of none." Well, perhaps it was this command over physical acting that landed her Tuhinabha Majumder's 'Aamaar Katha: Story of Binodini', a docu-fiction based on the life of pioneering Bengali theatre actress Nati Binodini. The National Award-winning film saw Satakshi playing the younger Binodini. 'Aamaar Katha' marked her film debut. Since then, she has appeared in several short films and web series, including 'Rati Chakravyuh', 'Gudiya', 'Jhalagan Palagan', 'Indu' and 'Felu Mitter Lane'.
There was a phase in her career when she was repeatedly offered the role of a domestic helper. Yet, each time, she found a way to bring something different to the character within those boundaries. Her next release is 'Pinjar', a Bengali film directed by Rudrajit Roy, which reflects on human confinement and empathy. Fittingly, Pinjar also means trapped or caged. So, did she ever feel trapped in an image herself? "Yes, I did and it took me some time to come out of those stereotypical roles. For that, I had to sit at home for a few days and refuse work. In the Bengali film industry, if you keep saying no, you might end up getting less work. But I took that chance. Films like 'Nadharer Bhela', 'Felu Mitter Lane' and now 'Pinjar' have helped me move away from that stereotype. Pradipta da is someone who has given me such great roles. I think it's only in the last two to three years that I have started breaking away from that image. Now, if I feel I am being stereotyped, I politely explain why I feel that way," she said. She recalled playing an urban character in 'Kalponik', a Bengali political thriller that unfortunately never saw the light of day.
In 'Pinjar', she plays Paramita, a young widow. Through her journey, the character eventually discovers her freedom and becomes a free spirit. "After reading the script, I really liked the way the story had been woven together. The film has also been shot beautifully, capturing both the peace and the chaos of urban and rural life," she said.
A 1990s kid, Satakshi is a fan of Dibakar Banerjee, Kani Kusruti and Anjan Dutt, among others. She hopes to collaborate with directors and filmmakers who are willing to cast her in layered, interesting and strong roles. And she said with pride that she already works with many independent filmmakers.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.