Reeth Mazumdar

For the lucky kids who have parents or other family members making their mark in Bollywood, a career in films is the most obvious choice, and so was the case for this Bong babe whose national award winning grandfather, Nikunja Bhattacharya is quite an inspiration for Bengali filmmakers. Reeth has carved a very inspiring niche for herself on the international platform as most of her films to date that have been foreign collaborations have garnered widespread critical acclaim. In 2008, she even travelled to the Cannes Film Festival to showcase two of her films – Visible Bra Straps and The Au Revoir. However, it's time for the lady with a billion dollar smile to take the big leap and join Bollywood, but before that FHM decided to grill her.

FHM: So why can't star kids explore anything apart from films – the easy life?

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Please don't make it sound that easy. We have hurdles too, and really terrible ones.

FHM: Like?

The biggest hurdle for me was not in getting a dream launch pad, but my father who insisted that I study and pursue a career in law just like him. However, I had my way.

FHM: You always wanted to be an actor?

Not always. I was a bright student in history, so I had once seriously considered a career in Archaeology.

FHM: What about history amazes you so much?

I think the discovery of Mohenjo-daro was one of the best chapters in the field of Archaeology. To carve out an entire city from below the ground can't be anything less than amazing.

FHM: Are you really as boring as you sound or did we miss something?

I’m certainly not a boring person. It's just that I take time to open up, so maybe the next time you guys meet me, I will be the coolest girl to hang out with.

FHM: With a bod like that, you already are.

Am I blushing?

FHM: Maybe! So tell us about the kind of guys you prefer and please avoid clichés...

He has to have a good sense of humour.

FHM: Now that's the baap of clichés!

Okay, I will try again. He has to be well read, look good and not be overfriendly. I think you should prompt me for the right answer because this is my first big interview and I’m kind of nervous.

FHM: Okay, no more torture. What's kinky to you – sex or the thought of it?

I think thought because it can let you imagine things that even sex can't deliver.

FHM: Are you okay with random proposals?

Completely, but it has to come from a handsome guy, not someone who looks like a crackpot.

FHM: What exactly do you mean by crackpot?

Someone who is not well read, is too friendly in the first meeting and doesn't dress well.

FHM: Media reports say that you dropped out of a prominent acting school…

Yes. However, it was not just because of boredom. I also felt like the odd man out at the training institute that was owned by a prominent character actor in Jollywood (Bengali film industry).

FHM: Why is that?

When I was appearing for a sort of admission test at this institute, they asked me how well I know Bengali literature. I told them clearly I didn't know jackshit because I always studied in an English medium school and Bengali was not my language. They didn't appreciate my ignorance and the interviewer insisted that to work in the Bengali film industry, one must be thorough with its literature. I was confident that I won't clear the test, but to my surprise I was selected. However, I didn't really enjoy the process of training and decided to drop out soon after.

FHM: Then what happened?

A few years later when I was shooting for my first Bengali film, Antarghaat, I met the owner of the same institute who was also playing a vital role in the film and asked him if it’s at all important to be a trained actor. He told me that the experience gained while shooting surpasses any academy training!

FHM: Is it time for Bollywood then?

I’m currently working on a mockumentary that will be directed by Ishaan Trivedi, the guy who wrote Aamir Khan's Ghulam and Imtiaaz Ali's Socha Na tha, and directed the Juhi Chawla-Irrfan Khan starrer, 71/2 Phere.

FHM: What's a mockumentary?

In mockumentaries, even though the story is fictional, it's shot in the same manner as documentaries, so it's very close to appearing real.

FHM: What's the storyline?

It's a supernatural thriller and I play a microbiologist. I can't really talk anything more about it because my lips are sealed. But oh yes, I’m learning to play mouth organ for the film.

FHM: What else are you learning?

French. It's for an upcoming Indo-French venture that spins around an Indian girl and a French boy.

FHM: Interesting. So do you believe in supernatural powers?

Of course I do. Just the other day while I was sitting with Ishaan and my co-actor, I discovered a few notes in my mobile phone that I had not written. My phone is mostly locked, so there was no way someone could write something in it. Then a few people said that when you are shooting for a horror film, certain unexplained things do happen.

FHM: Scary! Let's switch topics… Do you like to enjoy on your dad's money?

Always. He’s an ATM.

FHM: What's the flipside of being so hot?

The unnecessary attention!

FHM: Just from guys or even girls?

Even from girls. I had a tough time with a girl who used to workout at the same gym as mine. I could sense that she was trying hard to get close to me and even though she knew I was dating a guy, she would invite me to her home and insisted I come alone. She would say things like – Come home na. I will cook for you. The entire situation got really uncomfortable.

FYI

1. She is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer

2. She is translating her grandmother, Durga Bhattacharya’s novels into English.

3. At the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, her Visible Brastrap was showcased and she was hailed as the most promising Indian actress.

From the March 2013 issue of FHM India.