It's Riya versus Raima Sen

Actress sisters Raima and Riya Sen will soon be seen in a Bengali flick together. Though the sisters don't have any scenes in the film together, it is the first time that they are cast in the same film and as expected, they are excited about this.

One gets to hear that when two female actors are cast together, one can expect a lot of problems because each one tries to outshine the other. But ask Raima if the case was any different considering that they are sisters and not just colleagues and she gives a positive nod.

"Riya is the surprise packet in Noukadoubi and not me," she says taking us by surprise. "She's playing a character like she's never done before and it is that innocence that I think works in her favour. It could be the turning point of her career," says Raima wide-eyed.

Raima admits that she is aware of constant comparisons between Riya and her — both professionally and off-screen too. Does it ever bother her? "Not at all! I'm used to being compared to my mother and grandmother too. I think that comparisons are bound to happen, especially since we are all part of the film industry. But really, nothing affects either of us," she smiles.

So, how similar or different are the two sisters off screen? "We are actually very similar, even though the common perception is that our natures are poles apart," says Raima adding that the only difference probably is that Riya is the shy one of the two. "People usually think that Riya is an extrovert — perhaps because of the kind of characters she takes up. But if you compare, I am more gregarious than her," says Raima.

She explains that while Riya keeps to herself on the sets and takes time to bond with people, she (Raima) befriends most of the crew in the first few days itself. In fact, Raima says that the sisters even have the same circle of friends and prefer to go with each other for holidays too. “And while we are holidaying, we end up picking the same destination too!" says Raima.

And considering that Raima is more aware of the Bengali film industry than Riya, the former, like a responsible older sister, did her best to make sure that Riya got the best of everything. "I suggested which make-up artist to go to and things like that. Honestly, I'd love Riya to do more Bengali films in the future, just as she would want me to do more Hindi films. But we are there for each other when I come to Mumbai or when she comes to Kolkata," concludes Raima.