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The Moon that hoped to be a star

Firdaus Ali

Moon Moon Sen may not be the big draw she once was but the husky-toned voice, dark kohl-lined eyes and a delicate shapely hand, smoothing those dark tresses still can stir something in your memory.

Of a young and glamorous Moon Moon dabbling with a career in Hindi films. Sadly her good looks weren't enough to make her a box-office hit for people often compared her to her mother, the legendary actress Suchitra Sen.

While mum Suchitra wowed audiences with performances in films like Bambai Ka Babu, Mamta and Aandhi, won the first international award for an Indian actress and, more recently, the prestigious Padmashree award (the highest award the Indian government bestows on artistes), Moon Moon could not quite measure up.

"Comparisons are almost always drawn when you are the child of a famous personality. You have to live up to expectations and never get the chance to be yourself," says Moon Moon, who was in Toronto recently being invited as a special guest for the Miss India-Canada Pageant held on July 29. Looking dazzling in a black and gold ethnic sari, you can't quite believe she has two grown-up daughters making their way into films.

Moon Moon Sen's career spans over 60 films and 40 tele-serials. And, if the mother Suchitra Sen preferred emotional anchor roles, Moon Moon opted for either glamorous or light roles in the Bombay film industry. Establishing her presence with her vivacity, sunny disposition and flashing an easy smile, she took whatever roles came her way.

Early films includes Kissa Kathmandu Mein with Shashi Kapoor, Andar Bahar with Jackie Shroff, Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe with Mithun Chakraborty, Bahar Aane Tak with Tariq Shah, 100 Days with Madhuri Dixit and Jackie Shroff and Vishkanya.

She has also acted with co-stars Mithun Chakraborty in films like Sheesha, with Naseeruddin Shah in Surkhiyan and Dharmendra in Waqt Ka Badshah.

"Being the daughter of a great actress like Suchitra Sen, I was warmly accepted by co-artistes and filmmakers in the industry," says Moon Moon of her early days.

Few know that before she took to films, she worked as a graphic artist, taught in a high school and did some programmes for the All India Radio. Having made her debut in Bengali cinema, she is proud of having performed in over 20 languages and having won awards like the Nandi State Award, the Kalakendra Screen Award and the Bharat Nirman Award.

She's done serials and films in 20 languages including Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Marathi, Manipuri and Sindhi.

"I have no problems speaking the language because I am given cue cards plus I listen to others speaking, understand the meaning and go on," she says. But, she nurtures a strong passion for the Bengali jatras and till a year ago, was an active participant of this popular form of folk theatre from Bengal. This theatre becomes active during the harvest season and tours the countryside.

According to her, folk theatre has done its bit to wipe out commercial theatre. Moon Moon Sen is married to Bharat Dev Varma, a member of the royal family of the erstwhile Tripura state.

"It is now my daughters turns to hog the limelight," she says. The elder girl, Raima, has just completed her first Bengali film, besides appearing in music videos and commercials. Her music video, Valentine's Day, has become a big hit and has made her a celebrity of sorts in the modeling and film circuits. She has also acted in Godmother and makes an appearance in Kalpana Lajmi's film Daman, co-starring Raveena Tandon.

Younger daughter Riya Sen is causing a sensation with her music video, Yaad piya ki aane lagi, and has a Bangladeshi film, Money Porey Thomakey, and Tamil films Taj Mahal and Good Luck in the pipeline.

"I am involved in my daughters' career the way a mother should be. I am not the kind to go on the sets but, yes, I look after their hair and make-up without being a preacher mum. I like to give my girls the freedom to choose, think and make decisions on their own," says Moon Moon.

So, when she's not helping "her babies" she's busy shooting for television serials and is terribly excited about a new serial, Neeyat, in which she plays a well-heeled socialite. It's based on the real-life role of a popular Bombay socialite, she says.

Another venture that has her elated is a forthcoming Bengali film based on a Marathi novel and film Tu Tithe Mee . There is still time for a few "quick" Hindi films that is, when she is not jet setting between Bombay, Calcutta and Madras, where her daughters are busy shooting.

Moon Moon Sen has no regrets of the way about her career. After all, she has acted in films of a variety of languages, travelled all over India and abroad.

"The best part of my life has been meeting people from different walks of life," she says. "And, Toronto is a beautiful colourful city with so many vibrant cultures. I'm happy to see the people of India here keep our rich culture alive."

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