Sultana in Raktabeej 2 has rough sketches of Sheikh Hasina: 'Bandit Queen' actress Seema Biswas on playing political figures

Q. You played PM Basu in The Family Man and now your character in Raktabeej 2 is modelled after Sheikh Hasina (ousted Bangladesh PM). Do you consider yourself as an automatic choice for these roles?

A. Sometimes I think filmmakers love me as a person. I don't know as an artiste or what, but they love me. But I don’t like getting the offers of only political characters, it gives me a feeling of a limited actor.

Q. You were warned of getting typecast soon after Bandit Queen also.

A. When Sanjay Leela Bhansali offered me Khamoshi (Khamoshi: The Musical) after seeing a rough cut of Bandit Queen, everyone including Shekhar Kapur and Ram Gopal Varma discouraged me to do it as they felt I would get typecast in mother's role. As Bandit Queen had triggered controversy even prior to its release, I wanted to accept Khamoshi and prove that I was an artiste and not a controversial item.

Bandit Queen poster. Photo: Wikipedia

Q. How things changed after Khamoshi then?

A. I did nothing for almost three years after Khamoshi released. I suffered from a financial crisis. I was offered mothers’ roles of superstars like Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Aamir Khan but I was not interested if those were not substantive. So I was confused but always listened to my heart. I thought it was better to stay quiet rather than making a wrong decision. Once I was invited by Cate Blanchett to a party where top Bollywood stars were in attendance.

On that occasion, Shekhar Kapur had asked me why I was turning down offers and I had clearly stated the reason. It was a very frustrating phase for me and I thought Bandit Queen was my first and last film (though she made her debut in 1988 with Amshini). I diverted my concentration to theatre then for survival and to pay my rent. I never expected anything beyond that level from cinema because I didn't have the talent of the actresses like Madhubala nor Madhuri Dixit.

Q. Did you question your choices in those difficult years, because money is also important for survival?

A. I was happy for my choices because they allowed me to live on my own terms. Yes, maybe I didn’t have the luxury but I had independence. The kind of life I chose for myself allowed me to work for people like underprivileged children.

Q. Where did you get this kind of a mindset?

A. My teachers used to tell me that I should listen to my instincts, which they felt were very strong. I celebrated my birthdays with disabled people sometimes but I do not publicise them because I am completely against it. I used to travel with my sister for SFI campaigns where I noticed their double standards and how class-based differentiation was prevalent. Upon seeing those incidents, I had decided not to follow Communism or Marxism or Leninism but only humanism. I was brought up in a very humble family but I have seen my parents taking care of people beyond our brood. I was taught how to live for others.

Seema Biswas. Photo: Wikipedia

Q. Did those life lessons and the reality shock on SFI tours influence your work in any way?

A. I am always sincere, honest, disciplined and committed. If someone gives me any responsibility, I will accomplish it for sure. I will immediately turn down if I know I can’t help. Humanism is always my priority. I have focus and clarity of what I want to do or not. I gracefully and in a dignified way go aloof from people whose company I do not like.

Q. Do you believe in God?

A. I believe some positive energy is up there to protect me. But I am not too religious or devoted. I have no demands from God.

Q. Tell us how was your experience of being a part of the recent release Jolly LLB 3?

A. I have come across a fantastic writer, director and narrator (Subhash Kapoor, writer-director of Jolly LLB 3)! We shot with more than 300 members at 52 degrees in Rajasthan but all were so supportive. It was a wonderful experience. I am sure people are loving the film.

Q. What kind of research work did you do to play your character modelled after Sheikh Hasina in Raktabeej 2?

A. My character, whose name is Sultana, is not specifically Sheikh Hasina. She is no doubt a political figure of a neighbouring country. Sultana has rough sketches of Sheikh Hasina. My process of developing a character is from inner to outer. My thought process always dictates the mannerisms of my character. I always think about how the character is supposed to be in a given situation and that dictates the mannerisms automatically. I didn't need to go through a thorough research work for Raktabeej 2 as Sultana is not Sheikh Hasina as a whole.

Seema BIswas as Sultana in Raktabeej 2. Photo: Screen-grab from trailer video

Q. You have explored OTT. How do you view this space?

A. I am not in that way lucky enough as compared to Neena Gupta or a lot of actors who are offered significant roles. But at least, it's offering interesting content and a lot of actors are getting opportunities to perform. Having said that, the audience should not get too accustomed to always watching films at home. They should step out and experience a film on big screens.

I still remember during Bandit Queens, Shekhar Kapur always used to remind me that cinema is 20 times bigger than real life. Later, I realised that cinema gives a magnified view of real life. So the beauty of cinema will always be there.

Q. How would you sum up your career spanning 30 years?

A. I am always busy working for others. I don't mind working till the last breath of my life. I don't want to sit idle. I want to move forward and do more work, be it social or anything related to acting. I even do not have track of how many films I have been part of so far.

(Photos: Wikipedia & Raktabeej 2 trailer video)