Lipstick Under My Burkha actress Plabita Borthakur was recently in town to attend an event when we caught up with her for a candid chat and exclusive shoot. Following the shoot, in which she sported a dress made from her mother’s 20-year-old Mekhela sador, the actress chatted with us about her career, Rongali Bihu festivities back home in Assam, and her connection with Kolkata and more. Excerpts:
Rongali Bihu memories
Plabita fondly remembered the Bihu festivities back home in Duliajan, Assam, during her childhood. “During Rongali Bihu, groups of 10-15 dancers and singers would go door-to-door to perform. Even members of host family joined them in the fanfare. This practice is called Husori. As a child I used to wait for a group to visit our home. They looked so graceful, dancing and singing in the Bihu outfits,” Plabita said, adding that she misses it now. “When I was younger, I really craved to be part of a Husori group, but it never really happened.”
‘People think Assamese and Bengali are the same’
Being from Assam often comes with its share of amusing misunderstandings, especially in a melting pot like Mumbai. “In Mumbai, when people get to know that I’m from Assam, they suddenly start speaking to me in Bengali. People think Assamese is the same as Bengali, even the food is same, and I tell them it’s similar, but not the same. I understand where they come from,” she said with a smile, adding, “When I was in school, I was travelling from Mumbai to Delhi when a girl asked me where I was from. When I told her that I’m from Assam, she asked me if one needed a passport to go there ( laughs). I was pissed off back then, but it doesn’t bother me much now. Moreover, there’s a lot of awareness now, with many Assamese individuals being part of our industry.”
About how the entertainment industry treats women now
Plabita, who has been part of two major women-centric films, said that the industry has undergone a lot of positive changes when it comes to treatment of women since her debut in PK. “Back then even women directors wanted one male assistant. It was important because a lot of technicians on set were not open to taking instructions from women,” she said, adding that the situation is much better now.
I’m drawn to realistic cinema and like to explore different genres – anything that’s interesting and enjoyable
About Kolkata…
'Once, while shooting in Kolkata, I had ghugni every day! Even now, I ask people travelling from Kolkata to get phuchka for me'
I really like how Kolkata has retained its old-world charm. Nothing much has changed since I first visited the city as a kid. I really appreciate it because we live in a world that’s constantly changing
About Bihu…
My sisters and I stay in Mumbai, and Bihu plans are always last minute. But we surely meet up for lunch on Bihu. Lusi bhaji, kaath aloo and sira doi are must-haves for me
I usually like going to Assam for Bhogali Bihu in January, because it’s all about food and the winter. Rongali Bihu is more about fanfare and dance, and many major Bihu events are held across Assam
Rongali Bihu memories
Plabita fondly remembered the Bihu festivities back home in Duliajan, Assam, during her childhood. “During Rongali Bihu, groups of 10-15 dancers and singers would go door-to-door to perform. Even members of host family joined them in the fanfare. This practice is called Husori. As a child I used to wait for a group to visit our home. They looked so graceful, dancing and singing in the Bihu outfits,” Plabita said, adding that she misses it now. “When I was younger, I really craved to be part of a Husori group, but it never really happened.”
‘People think Assamese and Bengali are the same’
Being from Assam often comes with its share of amusing misunderstandings, especially in a melting pot like Mumbai. “In Mumbai, when people get to know that I’m from Assam, they suddenly start speaking to me in Bengali. People think Assamese is the same as Bengali, even the food is same, and I tell them it’s similar, but not the same. I understand where they come from,” she said with a smile, adding, “When I was in school, I was travelling from Mumbai to Delhi when a girl asked me where I was from. When I told her that I’m from Assam, she asked me if one needed a passport to go there ( laughs). I was pissed off back then, but it doesn’t bother me much now. Moreover, there’s a lot of awareness now, with many Assamese individuals being part of our industry.”
About how the entertainment industry treats women now
Plabita, who has been part of two major women-centric films, said that the industry has undergone a lot of positive changes when it comes to treatment of women since her debut in PK. “Back then even women directors wanted one male assistant. It was important because a lot of technicians on set were not open to taking instructions from women,” she said, adding that the situation is much better now.
I’m drawn to realistic cinema and like to explore different genres – anything that’s interesting and enjoyable
About Kolkata…
'Once, while shooting in Kolkata, I had ghugni every day! Even now, I ask people travelling from Kolkata to get phuchka for me'
I really like how Kolkata has retained its old-world charm. Nothing much has changed since I first visited the city as a kid. I really appreciate it because we live in a world that’s constantly changing
About Bihu…
My sisters and I stay in Mumbai, and Bihu plans are always last minute. But we surely meet up for lunch on Bihu. Lusi bhaji, kaath aloo and sira doi are must-haves for me
I usually like going to Assam for Bhogali Bihu in January, because it’s all about food and the winter. Rongali Bihu is more about fanfare and dance, and many major Bihu events are held across Assam
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