'I always had a feeling that interesting projects will happen to me': Chitrangada Chakraborty

After Samapti in Anurag Basu's TV series Stories of Rabindranath Tagore and Aditya Kripalani's Netflix film Tikli And Laxmi Bomb, Chitrangada Chakraborty will soon be seen in the latter's Totta Pataaka Item Maal (TPIM). The movie is about four women from the NCR region who are tired of living in fear of being raped and kidnap a guy to teach men what it feels like to be on the other side.

Chitrangada will essay the role of a martial arts expert, for which she underwent gruelling training for three months. That apart, the Bengali movie Ahare Mon actress also went bald as part of the character. Originally a theatre artiste who has worked with Manav Kaul and Makrand Deshpande, Chitrangada talks about her career in films and more.

What appealed to you about Totta Pataaka Item Maal?

It raises a valid question and a thought that every woman goes through. However, the story is not entirely black and white. It’s a grey narrative about what put you in a position to question the right and wrong. That moved me.

You went bald for the role. You've said that it seemed super exciting a day later, but how did your parents react?

My mom is always very supportive and cool with all my adventurous decisions. She herself is experimental in life, so my family and friends were as excited as I was.

You also trained in martial arts for a couple of months. Have you kept up with the practice? 

I have and also have not. I haven’t continued karate classes but have been practising a different form of martial arts for another project by Aditya. So, I've been in touch with the art in a different way.

You've been part of niche projects like Tikli, Stories of Rabindranath Tagore, and now TPIM. After theatre, did you expect to bag such work on screen as well?

Theatre has made me thoughtful and comfortable as an actor. Whatever plays I have done are a niche in their own way. Somehow, I always had a feeling that interesting projects will happen to me. 

What are your upcoming projects?  

I worked on a cineplay directed by Nikhil Mahajan. It’s an adaptation of Vijay Tendulkar’s Sakharam Binder and will be up on an online portal soon. I am doing another project with Aditya, which starts filming next year. I’m absolutely optimistic about this journey.

Do you think the web is a blessing because it's more open to bold and out-of-the-box content? 

Yes, it is a blessing. Not just in terms of content but also for actors. A lot of work is happening and it’s a great time for performers. I really look forward to new energies on screen. Hopefully, such opportunities for new talents will just grow with time.