Frankspeak is her forté. TOI gets Riya Sen to confess on sibling rivalry, sibling revelry and her much-talked about singleton status
This is your first film with sister Raima. Who will you give the credit for bringing the two of you together, the director, your mother or simply the wishes of the two sisters to be paired together?
The credit goes to everyone who has been a part of the making. My producer, for agreeing to make this
project possible, my parents for planting the seed of thought that it's inevitable that Raima and I should come together. We're just a year apart and belong to the same industry at the same time. And, of course, the director, who author-backed us.
The two of you have no scene together. But once back home, were there any sisterly squabbles over the day's shoot?
Rightly so, we don't share screen space together. We have never even shot on the same days. And when we met, we never really discussed our scenes. We talked about, just maybe our work experiences and what a great time we had being part of the unit.
Since this is your first with Rituparno and Raima can be said to be a veteran in this department, did she try to take an upperhand when it came to giving tips on the way to conduct oneself with the director?
Yes, she is a veteran. She called up the crew on the first day of my shoot and would ensure that I'm taken care of, in terms of my make-up, hair, clothes and food. I was simply pampered throughout — being Suchitra Sen's granddaughter, Moon Moon Sen's daughter and, of course, Raima's younger sister.
Pampering apart, who got scolded more by the director and who managed to get away?
We were both equally scolded and loved by him. I love him as a person. He has a fantastic sense of humour. I can spend hours chatting with him.
Rituparno has said that you are capable of doing things with such a straight face that people won't even know it's you. Any particular prank that you managed to get away with?
My pranks were never-ending. I was never stopped by the unit and, so, carried on. Actually, I do have a knack of pulling things off with a straight face, guess it runs in my family.
Did you go through the Tagore novella after you were roped in for the part?
Yes, I read it after I got the script. It's quite different from the film. My character, Kamala, is supposed to be quite a looker, whereas, in the film, I'm not portrayed so.
There are two women who come into Jisshu's life. In reality, have there been occasions when Raima and you have fallen for the same guy? Or a case where the same guy has shown interest in the both of you?
Well, we have very different tastes and my principles wouldn't allow me to like the same man as her. It would be terrible to have compromised in liking someone who has liked her too. And there's plenty of fish in the sea. Why target one? (Laughs). I get enough attention. I can't believe you popped this question at me.
Will it bother you if one sister gets more accolades than the other post-release?
Nothing really bothers me. I'm too engrossed in my own world to care less. Raima and I are sisters! Come on. Obviously we will always want the best for one another. We've grown up together.
Fair enough. Filmwise, why don't we get to see you in more Bengali films? Do you think directors here have a set image in their mind about you? Or would you blame it on yourself?
I have been offered several Bengali films. Due to destiny and good luck, "Noukadubi" will be my first. About impressions, I don't know and don't care. This is definitely setting all records straight as my director willed it to be.
Your Hindi projects...
My next release is " Tere Mere Phere", opposite Vinay Pathak and directed by Deepa Sahi. It's a romantic comedy that has me playing a very different role than my earlier ventures.
Films apart, you are the brand ambassador of Team Kochi. But had you been present at the match between Team Pune and Team Kolkata, who would your loyalty be with considering how Sourav is playing with the former?
I have been for many matches for Team Kochi, Pune and the Royals. I go at my convenience and depending on my work schedule. I love the game.
Rubbishing rumours of you dating Sreesanth, what would it take to woo Riya Sen?
Yes, I am single. Why is it that in every interview I'm asked this question? Does it matter?
