Actress Tilottama Shome is known for her varied roles. Recently, the actress was seen in the role of Bindi Jain in the series 'Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper' released on Netflix. Recently, during a conversation with Frontpage Insights, Tilottama said that people had an impression about her that she could not become an actress in main stream cinema. But after 40, she proved that age doesn't matter by winning the 'Best Actress Critics' Choice' award for the film 'Sir'. During the question-and-answer session, the actress shared a few more things related to her career.
Question: Why is an artist restricted to an age limit?
Answer: People have their own thinking, they make such assumptions. It was often said about me that I cannot become an actress in mainstream cinema. People think that if they didn't get a break in their 20s, it's hard to get a break in their 30s. Forget taking a break at 40. This pressure was always there. But I got maximum work at 40.'
Q- By the way, did you get your first chance in 'Monsoon Wedding'? Answer: I got a sudden 'monsoon wedding' at the age of 20. But I had to finish my studies. At that time I was told that an actor's life is very short. If you don't focus on acting anymore, you won't be a heroine. But I listened to my heart. The plans I had made for my career. Considered moving on to it. I completed my studies and completed a drama therapy course.
Question- When did you return after 'Monsoon Wedding'? Answer- Returned to the industry after eight years of 'Monsoon Wedding'. Didn't know where or how to start. People were giving different kinds of suggestions then. Someone was telling me to straighten my teeth. People were also commenting about the age group. I didn't judge my life by listening to someone else. Even though the work was less at that time, it had its own fun. There was time for friends and family. I gave it full time.
Question: What did you do to get rid of the perception people had about you? Answer : People feel very comfortable expressing their opinion about someone. But how to get out of it is up to you. I realized that there is no shortcut to success here. This was revealed at the time. I chose the path in which I felt comfortable.
Question- What was the most difficult task for you when you entered the industry? Answer- I myself chose this industry knowing that there is a lot of trouble here. In three years there was no call for work even once. It seemed as if time was slipping away. Books were my friends at that time. My parents had a lot of emotional support. Never did wrong for money.
Q- How do you view success and failure? Answer: We are getting more work now than before, but we still have to struggle. I never felt like a failure. I was successful then and am still successful today. Success for me is fulfilling my dream. I am not financially dependent on anyone. My needs are very few. So, although I used to get less work, I did not face much difficulty. Before coming to Mumbai I had saved enough to cover my expenses for one year. We are absolute experts on how to live on less money. I didn't have to borrow money from anyone.
Q- Okay, tell me, how did you get inclined towards acting? Answer- I was not good at studies at all. But was very diligent. Studied in Lady Shree Ram College, Delhi. One day Piyush Mishra came to perform a play. Watching the drama, he wondered who this human was. I was so impressed that I also got inclined towards drama from there. I started doing plays in college. The benefit of this was that my stage-hesitation went away. She then joined Arvind Gaur's Asmita Theater Group. Then went to New York University to do a Masters in Drama Therapy.
Q- You used to teach drama therapy to murder convicts in prison, tell us about that? Answer: After graduating from New York University in drama therapy, I worked at Riker's Island Prison for two years. It is a high security prison for men and women. Went there twice a week to teach. Working with students and inmates there, I understood the complexity of crime and its punishment. There I got a lot of help in acting. I never thought I would get back into acting. But came to Mumbai in 2008 from there.
Question- After coming to Mumbai, you did many films, but 'Sir' was the turning point film of your career, how did you get this opportunity? Answer- The film's director Rohena Gera's husband was making 'Prestige'. My husband started a coffee company. Both had stalls in one market. Rohena came there to help her husband. I also went to help Kunal. Rohena had seen my film 'Monsoon Wedding'. He said about 'Sir'. Two years later when Konkana was doing the film 'A Death in the Gunj'. Then Rohena sent the script of the film. It was a very exciting moment for me.
Question- When you received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress Critics Choice for this film, did you feel that you finally got the result after all these years? Answer- The biggest thing for me was that I got a good job after working so hard for so many years. Good work started coming after this film. Got a job in 'Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper' without an audition. Director Puneet Krishna had seen the film and was confident that I could play the role of Bindi Jain.
Question- Before this you did a great job with Irrfan Khan in 'Kissa'. He did films like 'Hindi Medium' with him. How was the experience of working with him?Ans: Even after the 'case' I had to wait for a long time for a good job. I don't regret it because I learned a lot from that film. Irfan Bhai used to say, 'Pay attention to your work. It doesn't matter what other people think.' Even today I follow his words.
Q- How did your love story with Kunal Ross begin? Answer- We first met through a common friend over lunch at my cousin's house. He came from Dubai. I liked it at first sight, but at the time I didn't think anything of it. He went to Dubai and sent the email from there, I replied. For months we kept talking over email. We tried to understand each other and got married in 2015.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
