Konkona Sen Sharma regrets the fact that she can't read Bengali novels as fast as an English novel. Having studied in an English-medium school, Konkona was into reading English literature. So, when you ask the Mr and Mrs Iyer actor - who was recently in Kolkata to promote her first Byomkesh Bakshi film, Sajarur Kanta - to choose between iconic sleuths Feluda and Byomkesh, she candidly admits that she hasn't read much of Bengali literature. "My mother and sister have read so many Bengali novels. But I was more into English literature because I studied in an English-medium school. At that time, English was an easy read and I would get stuck while reading Bengali. I regret not having read much of Bengali literature. It's unfortunate," says Aparna Sen's daughter.
Talking about her favourite reads, her eyes light up when she talks about her favourite genre - mystery and thrillers. Like most, she, too, has grown up reading Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie. "I am more into crime novels. Whether it's crime shows, true crime or forensic television series such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,
The Killing, Missing, Top of the Lake and True Detective, I love watching all of them," she says.
The last time Konkona was seen in a Bengali film was in her mother's directorial, Goynar Baksho in 2013. Ask her why she is seen in so few Bengali films, and she twitches her eyebrows and says, "I took a break after Haroon (her son) was born. Then in 2013 I did Shunyo Awnko, Shesher Kabita, Kadambari, Goynar Baksho and Sajarur Kanta. I don't know when Shesher Kabita will release. How many films should I do? Now, I am waiting for my films to release. Let me see the response and then I will decide on my next project," says the actor, who is also doing Meghna Gulzar's next, Nyodda, which is based on the controversial Aarushi Talwar murder case.
Konkona says she is impressed with the trailer of Dibakar Banerjee's Detective Byomkesh Bakshy. But there's a reason why she agreed to do Byomkesh Bakshi's Sajarur Kanta, which is one of the most celebrated and interesting stories written by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay.
{{/usCountry}}Konkona says she is impressed with the trailer of Dibakar Banerjee's Detective Byomkesh Bakshy. But there's a reason why she agreed to do Byomkesh Bakshi's Sajarur Kanta, which is one of the most celebrated and interesting stories written by Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay.
{{/usCountry}}"Sajarur Kanta has been extensively read and has an appeal of its own. Also, Deepa, the character I play, is interesting. Especially, Saibal da (director Saibal Mitra) has added multiple layers to the character, which isn't present in the original text. In the film, Deepa is associated with theatre and also portrays Nandini in Rabindranath Tagore's Raktakarabi. Just like Nandini, Deepa too is a strong woman and resists the institution of marriage.
The character of Deepa is shrouded in mystery. I have been working for quite some time now and I've realised that it's easy to work with bhadra (decent) people. Saibal da is a learned, sensible bhadralok (gentleman)," signs off Konkona.