Raima Sen who is fast becoming an alternate filmmaker’s dream, swirls the silver spoon around her tongue. This is her 3rd lick of Bournvita straight from the jar. She is in the moment: her eyes closed, her lips curled in ecstasy. it’s a childhood habit, she can live on this says her maid of many years. Launching into what could possibly be the popular subject in the world among women & actresses in particular, she goes on about her various intriguing attempts to knock off the extra kilos and the General Motors diet that went out of control. “I kept at it for 3 days, but the 4th I ate 6 bananas & 2 bowls of magi noodles. That was the end of that,” she grins. Also exceptionally ridiculous according to Raima is how she always gets linked with her co-stars just when the film is up for release- Kaykay Menon while shooting for Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye & now Tusshar Kapoor just around the release of CKKompany. “Why only during the release & why only my co-stars? Its very boring. Tusshar & I are good friends but Randeep & I haven’t even exchanged phone numbers.” Despite the odd ball commercial films she dabbles in. (the most recent being CKKompany) Raima is still largely considered a champion of sensible or niche cinema, a label she neither she cares for nor believes in. yet it is her niche outings that have earned her accolades. The actress’ Japanese Wife is slated for release sometime in the coming months & director Aparna Sen is more than impressed with her young actress going to the extent of remarking that Raima suited the role so much more than her original choice her own daughter Konkana Sen Sharma, would have done.
Raima admits that her role in Aparna sen’s film has been one of the most challenging ones she has ever played. “I play a widow who does a lot of homework, so I needed to be comfy doing the chores. When Aparna Sen realized, I couldn’t even differentiate between a broom and a swab she devised a plan. I had to go to Konkana’s house everyday & sweep & wipe the floor & also wash her clothes. Everyday till it looked as if I’d been doing it all my life,” she says with a satisfied smile. The director & the actress get along like a house on a fire; by their own admissions.