PremiumKumudini Bhavan-actress Ushasi Ray: Without television work, I get less number of designer handbags, but I am creatively satisfied | Exclusive
In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, the actress talked about the character and her journey from being a TV actress to working on web series.
Last Updated: 05.41 PM, Aug 23, 2023
Ushasi Ray started her career in television with a number of popular serials, including Bokul Kotha. After years of working on TV, the actress took a conscious call of focussing on film and web series. Ushasi worked on a number of Hoichoi series, including Turu Love, Sundarbomner Vidyasagar, Gobhir Joler Mach, Gora 2, and others. Now she has teamed up with seasoned actor Ambarish Bhattacharya in Kumudini Bhavan. Directed by Arkadeep Mallika Nath, the series features Rishav Basu, Anashua Majumdar and will be dropped on August 25.
In the trailer of Kumudini Bhavan, Ushasi seems to play the character of a detective, who wants to ‘solve cases like Byomkesh Bakshi’. In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, the actress talked about the character and her journey from being a TV actress to working on web series.
Are you a detective in the series?
I can’t reveal my character much but I can promise that we have our best shot to make it real.
Who is your favourite detective character?
I would think Enola Holmes. It is simply because of the way she deals with society and its patriarchal norms. This is why I prefer her slightly more than Miss Marple. She has a style of her own.
In Kumudini Bhavan, you have worked with Ambarish Bhattacharya…
I know Ambarishda for a very long time. He was my guiding star in this project. He has always kept track of my other works and used to give me feedback. This is the first time we worked together and he was there like a proper senior who helped us throughout. I used to hang out with him all the time. Rishav used to join us. We had fun.
But you have worked with Arkadeep before…
Yes, he has penned Sundarboner Vidyasagar and Turu Love. This is his first directorial project and he took the challenge quite efficiently. We had a very hectic schedule and yet, the trailer and teaser look fabulous. We have given our best to make the characters leave marks.
You have transited from television to film and web series. How is it going?
Television means regular work and a sense of security. But it was my conscious call that I explore my skills as an actress. On TV, you play a character for days and months and that brings a sense of boredom. In films and web series, you get chances to explore different shades of characters. Yes, there are uncertainties but it has, so far, been an interesting journey. Without television work, I get less number of designer handbags, but I am creatively satisfied
What are the other projects you are working on?
I am working on a webseries by Abhimanyu Mukherjee. Its called Petni, and I play the titular character (laughs). I have completed working in Prantik with Aritra Sen and awaiting its release. Besides, I am also waiting for the release of Chotolok by Kobida (Indranil Roychowdhury) on Zee5.