Preparation matters a lot in perfecting a role, but cinema offers less time for an artist in this regard, said actress Seema Biswas.
“When compared to theatre, film artists get less time to prepare himself. But in some works like Deepa Mehta’s Water, I got ample time which really helped,” the actress said during a chat with film critic Baradwaj Rangan on the sidelines of the IFFK here on Monday.
The actress who shot to fame after her role as Phoolan Devi in Bandit Queen said all on screen appearances of an actor are to be planned and executed as per the director’s wish. “Even if you are crossing a road you can have emotions - depending on from where you left or the destination,” she said.
On her feelings after the overnight fame through “Bandit Queen”, she said, she was applauded by many, including Bollywood directors. “But I told them not to praise me as if I’m a god, but consider me as a human being,” she said.
“Ultimately, I’ve to perform as a human being and not to as an intellectual,” she added.
Acting in other languages have always been a tough task, according to Seema who donned roles in many languages, including Tamil and Malayalam.
“Every time I would think not to do any more role in languages which I can’t comprehend. But the experience with Jayaraj’s Shantham was different for Malayalam film locations are more disciplined,” she says.
Compared to Bollywood, Malayalam film sets are less noisy and give more respect to actors. She said her first stage appearance was for a folk dance at a young age. “My mother and sisters used to perform on stage and hence acting was quite a natural choice for me,” she said.