Bidita Bag has already won many hearts by the character Phulwa from ‘Babumoshai Bandookbaaz’ and her stunning performance in The ‘Sholay Girl’. Now she is gearing up for her upcoming projects. She says “For me acting is my passion and profession both. Acting is where I pretends to be someone else . Its a make believe world. Our life is your greatest acting teacher. It’s all about being an expert at human awareness. I study People.”
RK : First of all thanks a lot for accepting our invitation for an interview. it’s a great pleasure to have you as our Guest. Let’s start from the first question… Let’s have a jump into the past. What was your dream since you were a kid? …what would you like to do?
Bidita Bag : I was jack of all trades. I was good in studies, I used to sing and paint, but wanted to open a roll, chowmein corner or a fuchka stall.
RK : What is that specific moment in your life which lit the spark in you to become a fashion model?
Bidita Bag : One day I was painting some sketches of international models, I saw myself in mirror- am tall and have sharp features - thought I should give it a try. I pitched this idea to my mom. She shot my portfolio with Kodak KB10, she was convinced that I m photogenic. Then she gave 10 thousand to buy clothes and to get a professional portfolio .
RK : Sometimes the modeling industry gets a bad rap with the jealousy and egos encountered between other models and agencies. Was this true for you? Have you managed to tough it out and make good friends?
Bidita Bag : Friends and enemies, both I got from this Industry. Enemies in friend's disguise gave me some worst times of my life...friend came and save me. Though I don’t have much friends, but I keep myself surrounded with positive people. Mumbai advertising industry is quite fair. Auditions are done in organised manner, everybody gets a fair chance to audition and test their luck.
RK : Ever since you made your debut with Shiboprosad Mukherjee & Nandita Roy’s ‘Icche’ in 2011, you have been selective about your films. What guides your choices?
Bidita Bag : My policy is very simple... I ask myself...will I go to watch this film as an audience? If the answer is yes, I do that. I don’t want to do a film just for the sake of doing it unless the money is extraordinarily good. I want to be part of meaningful cinema.
RK : Generally you do challenging roles. How do you prepare for these roles that pose such a contrast to your personal character?
Bidita Bag : For me acting is my passion and profession both. Acting is where I pretends to be someone else . Its a make believe world. Our life is your greatest acting teacher. It’s all about being an expert at human awareness. I study People.
RK : What kind of roles would excite you as an actor?
Bidita Bag : I enjoy doing off-beats films. In off-beat films generally you get to represent real life characters. Real journey, real struggles, real emotions. I want them to feel and think for a moment after watching a film because nowadays I feel people have stopped feeling as human being.
RK : You have earned a lot of critical acclaim for your performances. Which are the roles you look back at with pride and satisfaction?
Bidita Bag : So far my best performance is in "The Sholay Girl". Its a biopic on India's first stunt woman Reshma Pathan. Critics and viewers, everybody praised me. One attribute about Reshma ji that I find in myself is definitely the Fighting Spirit. Never say die attitude.
I am an action chick. Most of the stunts I performed myself... then there are some other stunts which actually require a professional experts. The director and action director did not want to risk my life.
RK : You have also worked with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in ‘Babumoshai Bandookbaaz’ directed by Kushan Nandy. How was the experience working with such a great personality like Nawazuddin Siddiqui?
Bidita Bag : Nawaz is an exceptional actor. The best thing about him is that he makes his co-star really comfortable. We had few difficult intimate scenes but the way he co-operated with me is beyond words. He is very down-to-earth. I have learnt a lot from him. He talks less and acts merely with his body language. Years of struggle has made him this person. It's a delight to listen to him. I am so privileged to have worked with him.
RK : What have been the greatest challenges you’ve faced in your career so far and as per your opinion, what are the main challenges in fashion industry today?
Bidita Bag : I am not an industry kid. I have come from a small town. Not got any support from family. faced opposition's, rejections everyday. Gave 5-10 auditions every day. Still struggling to make a name for myself. Meri picture abhi baaki hai.
Today everybody is an actor on tiktok and with beauty filters, they are Instagram models. Any rich person with DSLR is a photographer. We should identify and respect the real professionals.
RK : Give us 5 fun facts people might not know about you yet.
Bidita Bag :
I comb my hair once a week.
I am a tea fanatic.
I can have phuchkas in breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I’m good at painting.
As a child I used to sing on All India Radio, Kolkata.
RK : What are the 5 Things you want to tell newbies before he/she become a model.
Bidita Bag :
1) A good portfolio,
2) A training in personal grooming.
3) For ramp models- develop a good walking style,
for print models- learn to pose and give different expressions, for Tvc models- learn to emote and act.
4) A professional attitude.
5) Hell lot of Patience!
RK : We (Retro Kolkata) are trying to build one single stage for all the artists, because we believe that artists are the most beautiful creation of God and geographical boundary can never break their unity and harmony. Please say something about our initiative and any special message for your followers.
Bidita Bag : Whatever you do, do with full plan, honesty and passion. Wish Retro Kolkata all the very best for your new venture. I am with you.
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