Good work leading to more work is a myth: Brishti Roy

Brishti Roy, who won hearts as Heera in Puratawn, spoke to us about working with Sharmila Tagore, the unpredictablenature of the film industry, and why she prefers authenticity — on screen and in life.You worked with legendary actress Sharmila Tagore. Tell us about your experience.I was nervous — Sharmila ma’am has a timeless grace — but she instantly put me at ease by holding my hand and saying, “Such a sweet girl you are.” It felt like fantasy blending into reality. One chilly shoot day by the Ganges, she saw me trying to warm my hands and wrapped them in her shawl. Another time, she noticed me knitting and said, “Show me? You’re quite good.” Our bond was quiet, warm, and genuine. Watching her taught me how to act with ease and make strangers feel like family.After 14 years of struggle, I’ve finally received recognition. But even then, no major offers have come in since Puratawn. That’s the reality here. You just have to stay patient and keep going : Brishti RoyI want to chase roles that move me: Brishti RoyHow did you bag Heera’s (the caregiver of Mrs Sen’s played by Sharmila Tagore) character in Suman Ghosh’s Puratawn?I came on board purely through auditions, which I take pride in. I’ve always preferred earning roles over using references—it strengthens my confidence. Sabarni Das had mentioned me to Suman da, and his assistant soon called me in. I had no clue about the film’s scale or that Sharmila Tagore was making a comeback. Only after two rounds of auditions and being selected did I learn who else was involved. Since the release, the response has been overwhelming.You were a familiar face on television for nearly a decade. Why the shift?Television pays well, but it demands long hours. It’s hard to juggle other work alongside. Had I been locked into a serial, I might’ve missed out on Puratawn. I’ve chosen uncertainty over comfort, chasing roles that move me. I’m also excited to explore more layered roles on OTT.Do you watch a lot of movies?All kinds — good and bad. I actually learned English by watching subtitled films. Coming from a Bengali-medium background, Hollywood classics helped me grasp the language.Tell us about your next projects. I’ve completed Kalponik by Arko Mukherjee, which is part of this year’s Kolkata International Film Festival. I’m also in The National Furniture Since 1935 by Ajay Kanujia, where I acted alongside Sanjay Mishra—I play the only female character in the film.‘I brought Heera to life with gestures and details that felt personal and familar’When I got the script, Suman da (Ghosh) encouraged me to rewrite Heera in my own words. I added small gestures and mannerisms to make her feel real. It was my idea for Heera to call Sharmila ma’am “Thammi,” which Suman da liked and added to the script. My college days at Bangabasi were invaluable. I used to commute by local trains and would often overhear conversations between domestic workers heading home. That’s where I picked up the dialect, body language, tone, and rhythm — and wove those details into Heera.I love spending time with my bird, Jojo, talking to my orchids, and cycling. Jojo roams free and travels with me. We went to the mountains together and it was so peaceful : Brishti RoyPix: Anindya Saha