Nandana Sen feels like a woman in 'Rang Rasiya'

"One of the things that I loved about Rang Rasiya was wearing those extremely long nauvari saris. While doing the film, I started feeling like a woman because of those saris. Until then I always felt like a girl as I wore skirts or pants all the time," Sen told PTI here.

The actress, who made her Bollywood debut as Rani Mukherjee's sister in 'Black', plays muse to legendary painter Raja Ravi Verma in the period film, directed by Ketan Mehta.

Although she had worn saris on earlier occasions, the actress had to struggle handling nauvari saris initially.

"Wearing a sari is not a very difficult task for me because after spending all my holidays in Santinekatan, I can even cycle while wearing a sari. But wearing a nauvari sari is a different thing as it has to be worn like a dhoti. But I have become an expert now," the actress said.

The Maharashtrian 'nine-yard wonder' Nauvari is worn like a dhoti at the bottom while the upper portion is worn like a normal sari with the 'pallu' tucked in the waist.
To get used to the sari, Sen started wearing them months before the film's shooting began.

"I kept wearing it around the house and even went to watch movies wearing them."
Describing her style statement as very easy-going and casual, she said that wearing a sari makes her feel more responsible.
"But most of the time I end up not wearing a sari because I just don't have enough time," Sen regretted.

In Ketan Mehta's 'Rang Rasiya', based on a biographical novel of the 19th century painter Raja Ravi Varma, Sen plays a 'devdasi' who was sold when she was just 14.
As the painter's muse, Sen poses for the painter dressed in the form of different goddesses.

"The colours in my saris are fascinating and extremely Indian. They range from forest-green to white, fuchsia to lemon and yellow. I pose as the Goddess Saraswati in white and Laxmi in red," she said.

Though not too much of a fitness freak, Sen has maintained a near-perfect figure and a flawless skin.

"I do yoga, go to gyms, do a lot of cycling. Pranayam and meditation are very important to me, so do that whenever I get the time. But I can't diet because I love food too much," said Sen, who would be seen in the Vivek Oberoi starrer 'Prince- Its Showtime' this January.