Boldness a state of mind: Bengali actress Paoli Dam

She is as bold as one can get. But Paoli Dam, who did a full frontal nudity scene in Bengali movie ‘Chatrak’ last year, says boldness is all in the head.

"What is bold for you may not be bold for me. Boldness is a state of mind," Paoli, now the lead actress of Bollywood film ‘Hate Story’, said to be topped with dollops of sex and violence, told reporters in an interview.

No wonder she picks roles that most other actresses would think about twice before giving the nod to.

"As an actor I am choosy about the script and the projects that I do. But when I take a project, I don`t have any dilemma about it," said Paoli, who plays a sex worker in "Hate Story", which released Friday.

"I want to do good cinema with good directors and banners. Script matters to me. I am a newcomer and different people have their own way of growing. I don`t want to compare myself with anyone. For me bold is  beautiful in its own way," she added.

Her parents aren`t complaining of her choices either.

"`Hate Story` is my first Bollywood launch. My parents and friends are very happy about it. I have been bought up as an individual and my parents respect my decision (to do bold films). I have my own individuality and, besides, I am an actress," she said.

"For me, `Hate Story` is about performance and it showcases the power of women. Yes, there are bold scenes in the film, but it has been shot aesthetically," added Paoli.

"Hate Story", being touted as an `erotic thriller`, is directed by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Vikram Bhatt. The movie, about the transformation of a simple middle class girl to a sex worker to seek revenge, has released with an A certificate.

Paoli plays the lead role of Kaavya, a journalist.

"I had got a call from Vikram who offered me this role. I know Vikram is a sensible director; I liked his script as it`s a very powerful role. It`s a female-oriented film and I had a lot of space to perform.

"My character is shown as a confident and a very today`s girl. The story is about revenge with a bold concept," she said.

Paoli went out of the way to shed 10 kg for the role, which marks her foray into the Hindi film industry.

"I have shed 10 kg for this film. When I had come to Mumbai, I weighed 55 kg. But Vikram asked me to shed weight. He said the script demanded a lean and thin girl.

"I went on strict diet and I used to work out thrice a day. Finally I managed to shed the extra kilos and came down to 45 kg," said the 31-year-old.

Soumitra turns 80

Soumitra Chatterjee, a legend from the Bengali cinemas and theaters has stepped into his 80s today, 19 January. He came into the world on this very dfay, back in 1935.

Apart from being an amazing actor, he is also known as a poet. Soumitra is one of the few people that has set a high benchmark in Bengali movies. He passed his MA from Kolkata University.

Before coming into the movies Soumitra worked at All India Radio. The legendary Satyajit Ray, gave Soumitra his first debut with “The World of Apu” in 1959.

People loved his work. After that, he kept on working with Sattyajit in movies like Debi, Tin Konnya, Oshoni Shonket, Joy Baba Felunath etc, Hirok Rajar Deshe etc.

Stars said about Suchitra Sen

The whole of India has been stunned into silence with the departing of Suchitra Sen. Every star, starlets from both Bollywod and Tollywood has tweeted their tributes. Even India’s prime minister mourned her demise.

Let us have a look at the stars’ feelings about the Wonderful star.

Manmahan Singh

Sen had carved a special niche in the hearts of millions of Indians through her graceful cinematic presence. She was one of the first Indian artistes to win an international award at Moscow in 1963. Sen's versatility and range of performances, in a career spanning nearly three decades, mark a unique contribution to Indian cinema, and to Bengali films in particular.

Amitabh Bachhan

Suchitra Sen, that great talent from Bengal passes away. She was grace, beauty and talent personified. Enigmatic and reclusive, she brought about a certain pathos in her roles which was so endearing. Her pairings with another iconic great. Uttam Kumar, from Bengal is what legends are made of. Prayers and condolences

Supriya Devi

Rama Di and Uttam Kumar is the most romantic couple ever. No one looked so good with Uttam Kumar other than her. Rama Di is my all time favorite. Not because of her acting or her looks, but because Suchitra Sen, as a person is extraordinary.

Madhavi Mukherjee

I thought she will return home. I can’t even imagine Suchitra Sen is no more.

Mousumi Chatyapadhay

I cannot stop thinking about her dazzling smile. I’ve never seen a star as popular as she is.

Mithun Chakrabarti

To me, Suchitra Sen was the number one actress. I’ve seen ‘Harano Sur’ 14 times and ‘Saptapadi’ 11 times. Her acting has a different kind of aura.

Gautam Ghosh

Lost one of my favorite Bengali persons. If she would make a come back, I would love to shoot movie with her. The chance is now gone. The romantisism she created has changed these days. During her time everyone would go to the theters. She will live in our hearts like the movie “Smritutuku Thak”

Aparna Sen

No other artist is even close to her talents, I saw her shooting ‘Uttar Falguni’, I understood then what an amazing actess she is.

Sridevi

Actor par excellence, a divine beauty, a legend, an icon who will inspire generations to come. RIP Suchitra Sen.

Madhuri Dixit

RIP Suchitra Sen. Indian cinema will miss you.

Madhur Bhandarkar

Suchitra Sen will always be remembered for her remarkable performances in ‘Devdas’, ‘Aandhi’, ‘Mamta’ and immense contribution to Bengali cinema. RIP.

Mamata announces gun salute for legendary actress Suchitra Sen

Legendary actress Suchitra Sen, one of the leading lights of the golden age of Bengali cinema, died of a heart attack in Kolkata's Belle Vue Clinic today. She was 82. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a gun salute at the actress' funeral. Ms Sen's last rites will be held in Kolkata's Keoratola crematorium later today.

The actress had been in hospital since December 23, being treated for a respiratory tract infection. She was dependent on oxygen support and grown very weak over the last few days. Ms Sen began her career with the unreleased Bengali film Shesh Kothai in 1952 and is known to Hindi film audiences for her roles in Bimal Roy's Devdas (1955) and Gulzar's Aandhi (1975). With actor Uttam Kumar, she made up one-half of Bengali cinema's most beloved screen couple, delivering hit films such as Harano Sur, Sagarika, Chaowa Paowa and Agnipariksha.

Suchitra Sen most acclaimed performances were in the Bengali films Dweep Jele Jaai (1959), in which she played a psychiatric nurse involved with a male patient, and Uttar Falguni (1963), in which she played the double roles of a courtesan and her lawyer daughter. Ms Sen was also the first Indian actress to be awarded at an international film festival, winning Best Actress for Saptapadi at the Moscow Film Festival in 1963.

Source: Ndtv