Waiting for a comedy

LOOKING BEYOND

An actor of exceptional calibre, Seema Biswas, is known for her challenging roles in theatre and films which have set a standard for the industry

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In the City recently for a solo show Streer Patra as part of the 14th Bharat Rang Mahotsav, Metrolife tries to know the versatile actor beyond her “banditry.”

Over the past three decades, this National School of Drama (NSD) alumnus has left the audience spellbound with her performances. Seema said, “I am fond of acting be it in theatre or films. I want to be known as an actress and that has always been the aim of my life. The rest is to be decided by the audience as they are the ultimate decision makers.”

Recollecting her journey from Assam to Delhi, she said, “I was 19-year-old when I appeared for my last graduation exam and came to Delhi by train. Once here, my life was limited to Mandi House. I still remember travelling on bus number 501 and 502.”

Talking about the days when she was at NSD, she said, “I was living all alone in a rented room in Delhi and earned Rs 700 per month, yet I was happy doing theatre because I was so much in love with acting. The room that I lived in was part of a minister’s bungalow.”

When asked about her journey from NSD to films, the “Bandit Queen” of Bollywood said, “I was a playing the role of protagonist in Khoobsurat Bahu those days when Shekhar Kapoor asked for my photographs, which I finally gave after a month. There were issues about my shyness which was in total contrast to the demand of the role.
Thereafter, I lost sleep because what I had wished for had finally landed my way but Shekhar was firm about his decision and rest is history.”

The controversy associated with the film, still upsets Seema. She shared, “The way the film was opposed was pitiable. I don’t understand why people made a hue and cry about the nude scenes, especially since they were performed by a dummy actor.

I was so sad about the way the film was treated that I locked myself in the house and didn’t talk to anyone about it.”

Later, Seema kept accepting challenging roles such as the one in Khamoshi. “I was told that I would be labelled as a “mother” if I accepted that role, still I went ahead because I wanted to prove myself as an actor. Also, the combination of actors in Khamoshi was so interesting that I could not resist myself,” she informed.

While talking about the state of theatre, the actor enquired, “When government can give a grant for cricket then why not for theatre?

And just when every Bollywood actor is turning towards the small screen, Seema has kept herself away from the rat race. She said, “I haven’t found anything interesting though I get offers every week.” But for future, Seema is waiting for some comedy role to come her way.