Tannishtha Chatterjee: I love the madness of Bollywood but, hey, it is madness!
For those with a taste for world cinema and an inclination for art-house films Tannishtha Chatterjee’s restrained performances are an unmistakable delight. In a freewheeling chat the Brick Lane gal talks about her tryst with acting, her upcoming films and why she has remained a not-so-known face for the average filmgoer
It is surprising that actor Tannishtha Chatterjee, often referred to as the ‘queen of parallel cinema’ in India, can walk along a crowded street in Mumbai without getting mobbed. The fine performer has acted in several international films so far, and is currently doing Joe Wright’s ambitious film Anna Karenina alongside global heavyweights Jude Law and Keira Knightley! On home turf, she was seen in Abhay Deol’s Road, Movie, but she has done numerous plays on an international platform, bagged enviable acclaim for her performance in the British film Brick Lane and yet few know here in India. Doesn’t this anonymity bother the performer in her?
“Not really! I love the fact that I am an actor and a very normal human being. So even if mass recognition comes my way, I don’t think I will be able to lead an isolated and enigmatic life like stars do. Just the other day my mother was complaining that she has stopped feeling curious about any actor any more. And she’s is absolutely right when she says that. There was a time when actors were seen only on the big screen and very rarely got written about. So there was a ring of mystery about them. Nowadays stars have become easily accessible. You can meet them in concerts, see them doing film promotions and marketing gimmicks.They’re all around. So there’s nothing unusual for an actor to walk on the street and not get noticed,” says Tannishtha with throaty laughter. After taking a long walk with her we arrive on the sets of BMW.
