PremiumBoka Bakshote Bondi actress Solanki Roy: Will never glorify domestic abuse on TV for the sake of my character | Exclusive
Solanki talked about her journey as a TV actor, how she connected with her character in Boka Bakshote Bondi, her time in Mumbai, and her rumoured relationship with Soham Majumder.
Last Updated: 08.06 PM, Jun 19, 2024
Years after her serials were over, Solanki Roy is often called by her character names – Meghla, Kadambini, or Khori from the serials Ichche Nodee, Ichche Nodee, and Gaatchora. In Debaloy Bhattacharya’s Hoichoi series, the actress will play the character, Apala – a television actress who gets trapped in her character Sandhyamoni. The web show that also features Shoumo Banerjee, Neel Bhattacharya, and others will be dropped on June 21. In a candid chat with OTTplay, Solanki talked about her journey as a TV actor, how she connected with her character in Boka Bakshote Bondi, her time in Mumbai, and her rumoured relationship with Soham Majumder.
Solanki is back with Hoichoi with this show after five years. Earlier, she worked in Montu Pilot, Dhanbad Blues, and others. “Not just Hoichoi, I’m back with Debaloyda also after many years,” she said.
Solanki Roy and her journey in the television industry
In this series, Solanki – a seasoned television actress – plays a character that is close to her in real life. Do her TV characters stay with her even after the show is over? “Of course, fragments of Khori, Meghla, or Kadambini are there in Solanki, whether I want it or not. While playing a character, it becomes an exchange between an actor and the character. I make the character alive and the character stays with me even after the show gets over,” she said.
Solanki Roy talks about Boka Bakshote Bondi
Is Apala more relatable to Solanki as a character? “Apala wants to give up acting and settle down in her life. But I want to continue with my acting. So there is a difference. Also, I never get trapped like her. However, I can see her intense wish to give everything up. Television work can be gruelling and working on the same character and following the same tropes can be monotonous. I personally like to explore many characters. For example, I have taken a break from television and am trying to explore other avenues. TV work is long and gruelling. I was unwell during Gaatchora,” said the actress
Solanki Roy wished TV audience to be more responsible
Solanki admits that the current Bengali serials are largely regressive in nature. “When I work on a project I follow a few rules. I will never portray a character who promotes or glorifies domestic abuse or any emotional violence. For that matter, I will not agree to promote or glorify any form of violence. I have no problem with fantasy if that justifies the narrative. But I try not to promote regressive ideas. I believe TV impacts a lot of people. When you work on a film, it stays with you for a couple of hours. Television serials hammer in the thought, story, characters in the audiences’ heads,” she said, editing that along with her co-actor, she forced the writers to change scenes. “There was something utterly derogatory. My director, co-actor, and I made that scene rewritten. This also happened,” she said.
Solanki further mentioned that the viewers should also take responsibility. “It is important to be careful – as makers, artistes, and viewers. The makers and artistes will have to be careful. However, in our experience, we have observed that regressive content generates more TRP. That becomes problematic because the makers will aim to generate TRP. It is an expensive art form. They cannot ignore the money-making aspect. Hence, viewers also need to embrace good content over regressive content,” the actress said.
Solanki’s Mumbai Diary
The actress has been living in Mumbai, as well as in Kolkata, for a while now with her rumored boyfriend Soham Majumder. Talking about the new city, Solanki said that she loves it. “Mumbai has loved me too. I used to go there to my jethu and jethima’s (uncle and aunt) house in Colaba. In my childhood, I used to think that it was Bombay. Now I see the vastness of the city. It loves me and I love it back. I love the rhythm and chaos of the city. There is an order in that chaos. When I feel sad I go to the sea. It is very safe for women. I also believe that Mumbai has a place for everyone. It may take time but it will make a place for you,” said the actress.
Solanki has been a popular face in Bengal and hence she couldn’t move freely in Kolkata. “In Mumbai, I can roam around. When I miss the attention, I come back to Kolkata,” she said.
Solanki Roy on her rumoured relationship with Soham Majumder
In Mumbai, she lives with Soham. However, Solanki, as well as the actor, keep their private matter away from the media. Nevertheless, they are more candid on their social media. Will she get married anytime soon? “Definitely not so soon. I just got out of one marriage. Let me chill for a while,” she quipped. Talking about her relationship, she said, “There is nothing to hide, not anything to declare. After years, I am focusing on my career and happy about it. When the time comes, everyone will know. I want to take my time. There is no age limit for marriage. I might wish to marry when I am 50,” she said.