The Eken – Ruddhaswas Rajasthan actress Sandipta Sen: People are working on more projects in Hoichoi than me. Does nepotism work there too?

After a 15-year-long career in acting on TV and OTT, Sandipta Sen is finally all geared up to debut on the big screen with The Eken – Ruddhaswas Rajasthan. Directed by Joydeep Mukherjee, the popular Eken Babu franchise film features Anirban Chakrabarti as the lead. Besides, Suhotra Mukhopadhyay, Somak Ghosh, Rajatava Dutta, and others will also be seen as pivotal characters. Produced by SVF, the film will hit the theatre on April 14. Before the release of her debut feature, Sandipta talked to OTT play about the film, working with Anirban, and how she deals with the gossip mongers in the Bengali film industry.

It is hard to believe that this is your debut. That took you so long?

I have done a cameo in Ekannoborti. But yes, I got my first feature film break after 15 years of work in the industry. Somehow it never worked before. It is not that I did not get film offers. But a good script, director, and dependable production house never coincided. I did not want to work in a film that would be released and tank and no one would notice. Also, when I decided to take a break from the mega serials, I told several directors to consider me for their projects. That never happened. Sometimes I felt bad a little as I could see I was eligible for many roles. Anyway, I am glad that it is happening right now. I started my TV journey with SVF production. My OTT works are with Hoichoi and now again my debut on the big screen is an SVF production.

I realised that waiting for a perfect role is important. And God has given me a lot of patience. I had my share of heartbreaks. Sometimes I felt why I did not get any offers in some of the good films. I also approached directors. But I never gave up. I worked on the projects that came to me and waited. I am blessed with the audience’s love and I am a patient person. I finally got a good film. Meanwhile, in 15 years, I have delivered a lot of successful characters in mega serials on television. 

Are you nervous about your debut?

I am a little nervous. I will see myself on the big screen for the first time. Until today, whatever little work I have done, my audience showered love on me. I want that love to continue. This is a film about a character, Eken Babu, who is immensely loved by the audience.

Did you ever consider that your performance may be overshadowed by Anirban Chakrabarti’s popularity as Eken Babu?

I accepted this offer for three reasons. First, we shot in Jaisalmer and paid homage to Satyajit Ray’s Shonar Kella. That’s a huge thing for me. Second, my character Rajyoshree Sen is an important person in the film. And lastly, I accepted this offer also because I am proud of the success of Eken Babu as a Bengali. This is perhaps the first case where the success of a character on the OTT platform forced the makers to bring it onto the big screen. After the success of the first film, now we have the second film. So, no question of being overshadowed by Eken Babu. Rather we all celebrated the popularity.

Meanwhile, another additional reason for my excitement is I love working with Joydeepda. He is chilled out and full of fun. I first worked under his direction in Tumi Ashbe Bole.

How is Anirban as a co-actor?

Anirbanda and I knew each other. He said he would like to work with me. In fact, he is one of the people who called me to appreciate my work. This is the first time we worked together. In Rajasthan, whole our schedule was slightly less stressful, Anirbanda, Suhotro, and Somak were constantly shooting. I used to explore the place, eat good food, and used to come back and give a vivid description of the delectable things to Anirbanda. And he used to be furious. He had no luxury to savour local food like me. I teased him throughout our shoot.

Will you ever be back on TV?

Television gave popularity. My viewers constantly sent me messages on Instagram, even mail me. To be back on TV. I may not get back in a couple of months, but I will be back on TV in in near future.

Do you have any offers right now?

I am in touch with the Channels and they keep on asking me for my time. I say not right now but soon.

And how is your love life going?

It is going well, thanks. Soumya (Mukherjee) and I are mature individuals and we are similar in nature in many ways…

Was maturity an issue with your previous relationship?

Which one do you mean?

With Rahul (Arunodoy Banerjee)...

We were never in any relationship. We were very good friends.

Are you still friends?

We did not work together for a long time and the communication faded a little.

People within the film fraternity bring allegations that you get roles in Hoichoi since your boyfriend is an influential honcho in the management. Are you aware of that and how do you handle it?

When I used to work in Star Jalsha, I heard people saying I bought shares in the channel (laughs). What can I say? When I started working with Hoichoi, Soumya and I were not in a relationship. How did I get those offers then? Moreover, I work on probably one project every year in Hoichoi and some people work on three/four projects per year. How do they get their work? Are they in any relationship too? Soumya looks after the business side and has no saying in the casting department. Shrikantda (Mohta) looks after it. People often don’t understand that. Also, do I not have any credible acting skills to bag the roles? I have been working in the industry for pretty long though. The problem is we find gossip behind every success story. I cannot change that. I can only feel happy that people talk about me during their chit-chat time. Let it be.