'I want to do what Rani did in Black'

She has an illustrious legacy to carry forward, but she doesn't let that weigh her down.
Raima Sen. Model, actress, granddaughter of legendary Suchitra Sen (her films with Bengali matinee idol Uttam Kumar created history) and daughter of the sizzling Moon Moon Sen.

Raima seems down-to-earth and easy to talk to. She has no starry airs and handles her stardom with ease. Having garnered critical acclaim for her role as Ashalata in Rituparno Ghosh's Chokher Bali (2003), she will soon be seen in Ghosh's new venture Khela, starring Prasenjit Chatterjee and Manisha Koirala.

In an informal chat with rediff.com, Raima speaks about her life, films, dreams and her illustrious grandmother.

Has there been any recognisable change in your career post Chokher Bali?

Chokher Bali was one of the most important films of my career. It was an enriching experience to be part of such a professional unit. People [read: those who matter in the industry] liked me as Ashalata, I suppose, and began considering me for more such serious roles. You mean Ashalata got you Parineeta and Eklavya? Partly, yes. With substantial roles coming my way, I can't be happier. These roles will help me grow as an actress. Tell us about Eklavya. The role (Vidhu Vinod) Chopra has offered me is one of the most difficult I have ever played. I play a woman who is different. She is not mentally challenged, as some reports claimed, nor is she insane. She is just weird and off the beaten track. Chopra has woven the plot in such a way that my character's existence becomes questionable. I refuse to say anything more about it. Watch the film when it releases. You are sure to find it aesthetically inspiring. Is it true that you play a costume designer in Khela? The film deals with a film within and I am cast as a member of the unit. In fact, I am the sole woman in the film crew. I play a costume designer whose task is attending to the makeover of the child artiste with whom the filmmaker Prosenjit Chatterjee shares a warm relationship. Khela attempts to explore their ties. Did you feel any difference working with Ghosh after Chokher Bali and Antarmahal (2005). You had a small, yet sensual role, in the latter. While acting in Chokher Bali, and to some extent in Antarmahal, I was young, almost a newcomer. I used to be intimidated by Rituda (Rituparno Ghosh) and his unit. But, now that I am two films old, I can understand him better, communicate with him more freely and read his mind well. Therefore, shooting for him in Kolkata and at Chalsa in North Bengal was almost like going back home. Khela, in Bengali, means 'game'. Shooting for the film was an interesting game for the entire unit. You are constantly shuttling between Kolkata and Mumbai. Which city do you prefer?

I have made homes of both cities. I love Mumbai for its outgoing nature, its gyms and nightclubs, for being a home to many of my friends and, of course, for Bollywood. I dislike Kolkata for not having developed a gym and nightclub culture as yet. However, while I am here, I miss mom (Moon Moon Sen), dad (Bharat Dev Barman) and dida (Suchitra Sen), who all are in Kolkata. I also miss my puppy, Cuddles. Also, Mumbai can't offer mouth-watering dishes like jhalmuri and aloo chat that are almost synonymous with Kolkata. I will always be grateful to the latter for having offered me Chokher Bali.

Don't you feel weighed down being the granddaughter of one of Bengali cinema's all-time greats?

Not at all. My sister Riya and I share a warm relationship with dida and never allow her fame to come in the way. She is a very sweet person and the best dida one could have. In fact, whenever I am in Kolkata, I have to have lunch with her. We discuss everything under the sun, films topping the list. What do you feel about Suchitra Sen being a mystery to the media ever since her retirement? Dida is a very private person. She doesn't want the media to intrude and we respect her for that. In fact, no matter how friendly we are, I am not supposed to ask her anything about why she stays away from journalists. You resemble her more than Riya does, and people probably talk about it a lot. How do you handle it?

It is a huge compliment for me. I really don't mind people discussing it. What I do mind, however, is when people try to weigh my skills against hers. I feel that's unfair. Dida is a legend and I have just completed the first lap of my career. I would rather be evaluated for who and what I am.

Does Riya being in the same industry lead to any sibling rivalry?

Not at all. I don't understand why the media insist there should be. We are sisters and, whether the media like it or not, very much in love with each other. In fact, we always inspire each other. The question of rivalry, therefore, doesn't arise. Will a safe berth in films mean the end of modelling? Of course not. Modelling has always been my passion. I have a lot of assignments lined up this year, especially for Lakme.

If films satiate my creative urge, modelling makes me feel alive. It offers me variety and gives me scope for experimentation.

What is your dream role?

I dream of being at the top rung of Bollywood someday. I am yet to get over Rani Mukerji's performance in Black.

I look forward to the day when a similar role comes my way. Though I can never compete with Rani, I will give it my best.