The Nandana Dev Sen Chat
Nandana Dev Sen, has it all -- beauty, brains, lots of talent and absolutely no airs. The young actress who appeared on Rediff Chat showed a keen interest in promoting her debut as writer. Read on to discover what the famed Bengali magic is all about.
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 2:53 IST)
Hi everyone! This is Nandana. Profusest apologies -- we got trapped in the many excavation sites strewn all over the streets of Bombay!
hrithik (Fri Feb 18 19100 2:54 IST)
how really has been transition from "gudia" to waiting for the mahatma. n what are your plans for the future. go full steam on direction.
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 2:57 IST)
Hi hrithik. It's been wonderful to be able to pursue all my filmic interests -- acting, writing, directing. For now I'm focusing on acting and screenwriting. Thanks!
kedar (Fri Feb 18 19100 2:55 IST)
hi nandana first of all i would congratulate for all the good and daring movies u have done. Pls let me know what type of roles u like, which is ur best movie till date and if u have any specific dream role u want to enact.
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:1 IST)
Hi Kedar. I like my roles to be as different from each other as possible, so there's no danger of being typecast. Dream role? Let's see. Tough, no-nonsese action woman? Bengali child-widow turned poet from almost 100 years ago (like my grandmother)? The possibilities are endless!
tiara (Fri Feb 18 19100 2:55 IST)
Why do u live abroad -- especially since I believe u want to act in Hindi films? Any plans for doing Bengali movies...
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:3 IST)
Dear Tiara, I'd love to do a Bengali film -- but only if the role is right, and the director is talented.
nirav (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:2 IST)
NANDANA....HOW do u feel as a daughter of..nobel prize winner ?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:6 IST)
Nirav, I'm proud not only of my father, but also of my mother, Nabaneeta Dev Sen, who won the Padmashri and Sahitya Akademi Award this year.
hrithik (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:4 IST)
if deepa mehta did offer u a role in water (now its almost decided to b shot in calcutta). wud u b accepting it? or do u think if she asks to re-script the whole movie. what is the chance of u doing? also what do u think about this whole controversery about water
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:8 IST)
Hrithik, whether or not I accept a role would depend primarily on the character I'd be offered. As for the "Water" controversy, I think it's truely outrageous that Deepa and her team had to leave Varanasi, and I hope very much that they get to make the film in peace.
yummy (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:8 IST)
Ms sen: How was the experience of acting with Mithunda?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:10 IST)
Dear Yummy -- Mithunda is a real sweetheart. It was terrific working with him. Incidentally, are you truly YUMMY?? What evidence can you share with us?
kedar (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:7 IST)
Can u please tell me about ur role in an Argentine political drama Viaje A Iraca
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:13 IST)
Kedar, in Trip to Ithaca, I play an Indian woman (a Manipuri dancer) who moves to Buenos Aires and with her true love (an Argentinian), and starts learning the flamenco.
Venkatesh (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:9 IST)
How did you get into this profession?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:17 IST)
Venkatesh, I'm sorry I didn't see your question. Although I went to film school and made several short features, I got into acting entirely by accident. I met Goutam Ghose to get the rights to distribute "Paar" internationally -- he thought I'd be perfect for "Gudia" and offered me the part.
magic (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:17 IST)
nandanaji namaste, kya aap hindi bhi bolti hain?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:18 IST)
Magicji, main zaroor hindi bolti hoon!
sunaina (Fri Feb 18 19100 2:27 IST)
Nandana: is that true that your film 'Seducing---' is about you having a relationship with your father-in-law???
sashi (Fri Feb 18 19100 1:52 IST)
any plans to work with sci-fi writters like shyamalan or any venture into hollywood
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:24 IST)
Sunaina, Seducing Maarya explores many issues, including a tender relationship between Maarya, whose husband is gay, and her father-in-law. Despite their age difference, they are kindred spirits.
Shashi, I am in fact doing a science fiction film -- with Ketan Mehta. Shyamalan is also very talented; I haven't ever met him, but if the role is right, I'd love to work with him.
naomi okampo (Fri Feb 18 19100 2:29 IST)
recuerdos de (regards from). Argentina. I am visiting India. Victoria Okampo was a grand aunt of mine, and I understand you are from Santiniketan
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:26 IST)
naomi okampo, are you still on? Yes, Shanti Niketan is a big part of my upbringing. Welcome to our beautiful land -- as beautiful as yours! By the way, I visited your great-grandmother's tomb in Buenos Aires.
alby (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:21 IST)
Nandana, qu'est ce que tu penses de Shabana Azmi?
kedar (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:21 IST)
Nandana if the character u performed in Seducing Maarya comes true in ur real life(I mean u discover that ur husband is gay after marriage), what will u do.
hrithik (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:21 IST)
nandana its tooo loud.
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:29 IST)
Alby, I think Shabana Azmi is a wonderful actress.
Kedar, if my husband turned out to be gay, I'd become his best friend and find myself another husband.
Hrithik: What's too loud? My answers?? The films? ME??
sharat (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:27 IST)
Nandana I have heard a lot about your acting in experimaental films . I congratulate u on ur success
sharat (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:28 IST)
Hi nandana ur not acknowledging my presence
nirav (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:20 IST)
who is ur favourite actress....?
tiara (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:20 IST)
Hi Nandana, repeating my qs -- do u ever want to write -- as a journalist or as an author? Secondly, have u read your mother's works?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:36 IST)
Thanks, Sharat, for your congratulations. It's not that I"m not acknowledging your presence; there are so many answers that it takes a bit of time to get to everyone. Apologies.
Nirav, fave actresses are Smita Patil and Waheeda Rahman.
Tiara, I love to write and have always done quite a bit of it. In fact, Forever, one of the films that was at the Delhi festival this year, was written by me, as were all my previous shorts. And yes, I love my mother's writing; I'm one of her most ardent admirers.
sharat (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:36 IST)
nandana please tell me about ur future plans
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:39 IST)
Sharat, my future plans? I'm slated to play the lead in six upcoming films, and am also finalizing the production deal of a feature script I've written.
sasr (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:30 IST)
Hi nandana, how does your nobel winning pop feel about you dancing around trees???
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:41 IST)
Sasr, I haven't yet "danced around trees" -- but if I chose to do so, I'm sure both my parents would support me totally, as they have in all my crazy ventures.
magic real (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:40 IST)
Are there any plans to release 'Forever' in India?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:43 IST)
Dear really magic, Forever will be released in theatres throughout India in April! It'll be seen as a double-bill with "East is East," a wonderful film with Om Puri. Come and check them out, all of you!
Nova (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:36 IST)
would u consider doing a commercial hindi film?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:45 IST)
Nova, there is a lot of talent in the commercial film industry here, so of course I would consider working in it -- but, once again, the role must be right.
kedar (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:35 IST)
Nandana is their anyone who inspires u. And who is the person u love a lot.
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:48 IST)
Kedar, I have always been deeply inspired by my family; everyone has followed his or her dream 100%. I have learnt much from all the women in my family: my mother, grandmothers, sisters.
magic real (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:46 IST)
can you tell us more about FOREVER and the director of the film?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:54 IST)
Really Magical One, Forever is directed by an amazing Indian-Canadian director, Srinivas Krishna (who previously directed the films Masala and Lulu which opened at Cannes, Toronto, and Sundance film fests). Forever is about the huge contrast between the fantansies we nurse and the choices we make. It explores the inner lives of a few characters just before a wedding is about to happen -- and how those private muses contradict their public roles.
Thanx Nandana for answering my qs...now what is your definition of a good director, in the Indian context?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:1 IST)
Tiara, a good director is one who is honest, brave, innovative, and authentic; one who doesn't get trapped into doing the same film over and over; who keeps reinventing herself; one who makes his or her film for the whole world and not just a small section of it; one who is not too concerned about being "cool" but is totally committed to making films that are moving, thought-provoking, and inventive.
naomi okampo alive (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:59 IST)
Nandana, I imagine you could be like the "Girl from Ipanema" in Brasil. you look SO GORGEOUS!!!!
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:4 IST)
Naomi, I'm very flattered that you can see me as The Girl From Ipanema (although I can't do so myself) -- the Gilberto version of this multi-incarnated song is one of my all-time favorites.
magic real (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:0 IST)
do you plan to cast MOHAN AGASHE in WAITING FOR MAHATMA? or any other indian actors?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:6 IST)
So Magical that it's Unreal: Indeed, Waiting For The Mahatma will include several great Indian actors, including Om Puri.
Victoria (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:2 IST)
i second naomi okampo on the gorgeous bit
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:9 IST)
Thanks so much, Victoria. You're very kind!
magic real (Fri Feb 18 19100 3:44 IST)
aapnader uttar dekhe khoob bhalo lachhe, apni bangla film keno koro na?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:12 IST)
truly, deeply, madly magic -- aami khoobi chai BHAALO bangla chhobi korte, kintu ekhon obdhi jei offerguli peyecchi ta bhaalo lageni.
naomi okampo alive (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:6 IST)
Nandana, I am so impatient now to talk to you. I went out for a cappucino and got REAL homesick.And someone tells me tjhat you actually visited my aunt's tomb in Beunos Aires. besame mucho to you for visiting my country.
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:13 IST)
Naomi, yes I did indeed visit your aunt's grave in Buenos Aires. I was very moved by your beautiful city.
magic real (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:13 IST)
thanks for your answers! here's one more Q please, when you judge your work are you very harsh on yourself?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:16 IST)
Magician Hyper Real -- I have indeed been told often that I tend to be overly self-critical. The thing is, I am sort of kind of a perfectionist, so it's hard for me to be absolutely pleased with my work. There's much for me to learn before that can happen. Incidentally, thanks for your excellent questions.
kedar (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:14 IST)
Please answer this question without fail. How do u want ur huband to be? Can u describe.
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:22 IST)
My husband must love all my eccentricities -- all that is not so obvious (or loveable) to the rest of world. I want my husband to have a great sense of humour, loads of self-confidence so he is not easily threatened, and to love my whole family to distraction, and to be absolutely honest with me. His shoe size must be 10 and a half (just kidding)!
naomi okampo alive (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:16 IST)
Nandana, I know just one line from Bangla: aami tomaaye bhalobashi........have I written it correct? ;)I had a great Bengali boyfriend who looked like Antonio Banderas and danced like Banderas as well. And I taught him the samba and the tango. And he taught me to say this line to him in turn.
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:25 IST)
Naomi, I love jazz and blues and soul. And Rabindrasangeet. And vintage rock. And old Hindi film songs (S D Burman's era). You are very lucky to have been with a Bengali man who danced like Antonio Banderas! What more could a woman want?
tiara (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:25 IST)
I'd given up...but I'm back now...who is your idol in cinema? Do u like Satyajit Ray's films -- have u seen them?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:27 IST)
Tiara, of course I've seen Satyajit Ray films. I was weaned on them. My all-time faves are Goopi Gyne Bagha Byne, Samapti and Charulata. What about you -- do you like them?
keyur (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:27 IST)
Hello Ms Sen, How does it feel to be doing so many different things at such a young age?
Ms Nandana Dev Sen (Fri Feb 18 19100 4:34 IST)
Keyur, "How does it feel to have done so much at such a young age?" I am delighted to have had the opportunity to follow my passion, but there still a long way for me to go, and much to learn!
Bye, Everyone! You were a terrific group to chat with. Please see Forever, and send me your comments via Rediff! Would love to know what you think. Cheers, Nandana
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