Tannishtha - from repressed Bangladeshi wife to pole dancer

Mumbai, Aug 16 (IANS) Actress Tannishtha Chatterjee, who won rave reviews for her performance as the sari-clad, repressed Bangladeshi housewife in 'Brick Lane', is set to stun audiences as a pole dancer in a new British film.

'Hard to believe, isn't it?' Tannishtha said from London where she's rehearsing for the film.

The yet untitled chick flick about two immigrants in London is directed by 'Brick Lane' director Sarah Gavron.

'It's the story of two pole dancers in London - one from East Europe and other from Mauritius. It's about these two women's contrasting attitudes to life. They're friends in the beginning and then through time, different situations and hardships in their respective lives, they fall apart.

'It is about that dark side that we have in us. My character is really interesting. She's someone who lives in a false world. Nothing she says about herself is true. She is a compulsive liar.'

While Tannishtha plays the Mauritian pole dancer, Romanian actress Anamaria Marina of '4 Months 3 Weeks & 2 Days' fame plays the European dancer.

Tannishtha is researching and practising hard for the role.

'We're rehearsing for the film and evolving the final script through the process. It is really interesting. I'm working with the same director as 'Brick Lane'. So there's a comfort level.'

So will Tannistha strip, a la Demi Moore in 'Striptease'?

'Not much. Pole dancing doesn't necessarily mean stripping. Is that a disappointment?'