Playing Nupur Talwar was a challenge: Konkona Sen

“As a performer every time I do a film there is a responsibility to do justice to the task. However, playing Nupur Talwar has been most challenging as unlike other films I have essayed a real-life character whom I have never met,” says actor Konkona Sen on her role in ‘Talvar’, based on one of the most mysterious and controversial crimes in the country. The ‘Aarushi Murder Case’ would be reopened on screen when Meghna Gulzar’s film ‘Talvar’ hits the theatres on October 2.

“As a performer every time I do a film there is a responsibility to do justice to the task. However, playing Nupur Talwar has been most challenging as unlike other films I have essayed a real-life character whom I have never met,” says actor Konkona Sen on her role in ‘Talvar’, based on one of the most mysterious and controversial crimes in the country. The ‘Aarushi Murder Case’ would be reopened on screen when Meghna Gulzar’s film ‘Talvar’ hits the theatres on October 2.

“It was very different to work in an investigative thriller because at times I had to act as if the character was guilty and at times as a mother who was shattered,” she says.(HT Photo)

Aarushi, daughter Rajesh Talwar and Nupur Talwar, was murdered under mysterious circumstances in 2008 in NOIDA and even today after the couple has been convicted with life imprisonment there are still many aspects that call for investigation. The film would be unfolding these aspects and talking in detail with HT about her role, Konkona says, “All I know is that I worked on a well-researched document that has been treated beautifully by Meghna and Vishal Sir (Vishal Bhardwaj).”

“I don’ know my role owes responsibility or not but I felt responsible to do justice to the film. It was very different to work in an investigative thriller because at times I had to act as if the character was guilty and at times as a mother who was shattered because of her daughter’s murder and also portray her not guilty,” says Konkona, who is known for her brilliant performances on screen.

Playing a real-life character, would it not have been better for her to have met the character? To this query, the actor replies: “This is not a biopic but an investigative thriller which would show the audience different investigative aspects and reportage done in this case. The film is being handled by an intellectual like Vishal Sir and I believe a film totally depends on the treatment given to the script. I did not feel any need to meet a family member.”

Talking about the film and her personal take on the verdict, “After working in this film all I can say is evidences were completely contaminated. There has been incompetence by the NOIDA police as they failed to seal the crime scene. It is very difficult to imagine and say what actually happened that night in Aarushi’s room but I just pray that tragedies like this should never happen again.”

Konkona also clarified that it isn’t an emotional drama rather it would be a thriller which would again capture the imagination of the people. The actor also holds that everyone in the film industry should make all kinds of films should be made given the freedom of expression.

“Now, in this film we are not solving the case but just showing what happened and as an actor I am doing the work I have taken up – in fact I feel more than me the investigative officer role played by Irrfan Khan was more demanding,” says Konkona who is a national award-winning actor having worked in subject-driven films like ‘Metro’, ‘Page 3’, ‘Traffic signal’, ‘Wake up Sid’ , ‘Mr and Mrs Iyer’ , ‘Omkara’ and more .

Talking about the 100-crore clubs of Bollywood, she says, “Neither have I ever aimed to be a part of a 100-crore club nor will I ever do that, I don’t aim to work in blockbusters, my league of work is completely different in fact I don’t even do that much work.” She smiles and adds that she is a firm believer of balancing work and home.