Exclusive: Mimi Chakraborty on Mahalaya: Every day is Debipokkho for me as I celebrate womanhood every moment

The actress opens up about her new song, Puja's plans, and a lot more.

Mimi Chakraborty

Mimi Chakraborty is engrossed with her works. After working in the Bengali film industry for more than a decade, the actress is all set to debut in Bollywood. She has completed working with Paresh Rawal in the Hindi adaptation of Shiboprosad Mukherjee and Nandita Roy’s Posto. She may also finalise her debut in a web series by Gulab Gang-fame Soumik Sen. As per reports, Ali Fazal may also work in the series. Meanwhile, the actress has released her Pujor Gaan and shared some exclusive photos with us. In a candid conversation, she opens up about her new song, her works, Puja plans, and a lot more. Read on…

Your music video has set the spirit of Durga Puja. Tell us about the song.

Many people kept on telling me that I should come up with a Pujor Gaan. But I could never focus because of the time crunch. One day, I was randomly thinking about this and decided to do it. It took us seven days of planning. Lincoln, the music director, has sent a number of scratches. I cancelled a couple of them and then I liked the beat of this one. We then put everything together and this is the result.

With Mahalaya, Debipokkho has started. What is your resolution for this Puja?

I celebrate womanhood every day. Hence, like International Women’s Day, every day is Debipokkho for me. I try to work towards that. From a food delivery person to a CEO of a company, I will do everything to empower and uplift women. I also believe that if you clap at others’ success, they will clap at yours.

Meanwhile, Debipokkho initiates Ma Durga’s agomoni. The entire city and our surroundings light up. You feel the power from within. There comes a hope that everything will be fine. That makes this time of the year so special.

The pandemic dampened the Puja spirit in the last two years. People are gearing up to celebrate this year with full gusto. Are you preparing too?

I know the intensity of Covid is gone and people have stepped out after two years of the pandemic scare. I am sure this year people will leave no stone unturned to make it up for the last two years. I also know that people are often avoiding masks. But I will still emphasise wearing masks in crowded places. Keep a sanitiser handy. I wear a mask at crowded places like airports, shopping malls, or hospitals.

Tell us about your Pujaa plans…

I can’t step out at all during Puja. I stay at my complex and take part in the celebration. My friends come over in the evening. I end up watching all the Pujas during inaugurations. I visit Pujas in my constituency before the Puja officially starts on Shashthi. My Puja is all about my family, including my babies (pets), friends, and parar mandap.

How many new saris did you get this year?

This year my Puja wardrobe is sorted. I don’t count my new dresses. However, I can tell you that in other years I usually get confused about what to wear and when to wear it. This year, I am totally sorted. Ma is here and she brought dresses and saris. Like every year, I will be wearing my mother’s gift to offer Anjali.

Also read: Mimi Chakraborty sets the Puja fashion goals right

With Bollywood and OTT – is 2022 a new beginning for Mimi Chakraborty?

I have been working in the entertainment industry for 12 years. Why should this be a new beginning? For me, good works matter – be it in Bengali Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, or whichever language. Yes, new opportunities came. And I agreed because it is good to work. If it is not good work then what’s the point?

You have been very busy working all the time. What about falling in love, et al, as Puja is the season of love?

(Laughs) The future is unpredictable, you see. Like right now I am stuck in a traffic snarl and I just can’t predict when to reach my destination, similarly, I don’t know what will happen and when it will happen. I am focussed on shaping my future.

Several members of the political party you represent are currently marred with corruption cases. How are you dealing with the allegations against your party workers?

I don’t see myself as a politician. I am here to serve people. I don’t think about politics and politicians much. I guess the people who are investigating will be more suitable to talk about what’s going on.

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