When we saw Murder 2, we were bowled over by the performance of a new girl, Sulagna Panigrahi, the actress with the face of an angel (and body of a Khajuraho sculpture!). She has been around for past 4 years and has also done quite a few television shows. Soumil Shukla of FilmiTadka caught up with the young actress and the result was a candid chat.
So tell us a bit about your background.
Well, I was born on 3rd February in a small town called Berhampur in Orissa. Then my family moved to Bhubaneswar and then to Delhi where I spent almost 10 years and did most of my schooling. My dad is a serving Indian Army officer. So we have had to move around a lot. In that sense I am a true Indian!...and now a true Mumbaikar too. I came here a few years back and have just loved the local language and cuisine ever since!!
Image: Sulagna Panigrahi
Your father is an Indian army officer. Was there any opposition when you decided to pursue acting as a career?
Absolutely not. In fact my family proved to be bedrock of support and helped me tide over the initial blues when I shifted to Mumbai. My father was completely chilled out about me acting and he even accompanied me to the city in order to help me settle down.
You have done television before. How was the experience?
Working on the small screen was an enriching experience indeed. I made my television debut with ‘Amber-Dhara’ which was quite a challenge since I played one among the conjoined twins in the show. ‘Do Saheliyan’ was based on the backdrop of rural Rajasthan. And ‘Bidaai’ was a huge turning point. The role of Sakshi had a lot of layers and I really enjoyed doing it.
How different is medium of television from the world of cinema?
Considering the corporate style of functioning in television, I found cinema to be a bit more comforting. It’s a different ball game altogether. There are two schools of acting for each of the mediums and what is ideal for one need not be appropriate for the other.
How did you land up with the role in Murder-2? Tell us a bit more about it.
However clichéd it may sound, but it was purely out of chance. My producer Rajan Shahi asked me to visit the office of Vishesh Films where I met Mohit Suri Sir. At the first meeting itself he told me that I am his ‘Nisha’ (the name of Sulagna’s character in Murder 2). Before I knew it, I had been finalised for the role and had become a part of Murder 2! In the film I play the role of Nisha, a 16 year old college girl.
Wasn’t it a bit risky to debut with a character role, wouldn’t it be better had you waited for a lead role?
Honestly, mine is not at all a character role. In fact, the whole story of Murder 2 revolves around me. So in effect it was kind of a main role and I am happy with the kind of recognition I am getting for it. It was always preferable than running around trees singing songs and making goo-goo eyes at someone.
How was the experience of working with the ‘Serial kisser’ Emran Hashmi? Would you like to work as his leading lady someday?
Actually I didn’t have any scenes with him in the film so can’t really say. He seems to be pretty nice and yes I would definitely like to star opposite him someday.
Ahemm…knowing fully that Emran has a record of kissing almost all of his leading ladies in almost every film of his?
Yes, I am aware of it and despite that I would love to work with him. Doing a kissing scene or an intimate scene isn’t really that big a deal as long as it comes as a part of the whole and isn’t the only thing being highlighted in the movie.
How was it working under the Bhatts and director Mohit Suri?
It was simply delightful. Mahesh Sir and Mukesh Sir are very appreciative and always encourage their actors to do better. Mohit Suri is extremely calm and is always chilled out. There was never any yelling on the sets and he never rushed us through any scenes. It was a pleasure working with such a great guy.
Have you signed any other films so far, any plans of doing films outside the Bhatt camp?
Well they have not offered me any other film yet. I am reading a few scripts but nothing has been decided so far.
Which director would you like to work with next?
I would love to work with Imtiaz Ali and Anurag Kashyap someday. Both are the masters of their genre and have carved a niche for themselves.
Any actor or actress you would like to work with in future?
I don’t know about actresses but among the actors I would love to work with Aamir Khan. He is like the God of acting, marketing, strategising and everything else related to films. Also Hrithik Roshan. He has a raw energy, especially when he does emotional sequences and yes, he looks like a Greek God!
Do you have a role model in the film industry?
Not really. I think it’s too early for me to have a role model in the industry. The problem with having a role model at an early stage of your career is that you tend copy him/her, even their mistakes. So I don’t think I have role model as such. However, I do appreciate the professionalism and the humility of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan.
Do you have a dream role?
Not really. I would rather create new dream roles rather than yearn for old ones.
What do you think is special about you as an individual and an actress?
As an individual, I never limit myself. I always try to outdo myself in everything and I am an optimist to the core. I fear nothing in life. Probably that’s why I could do all those daredevil stunts in Murder 2. As far as acting is concerned, it is like drugs to me. It gives me such a high!
