I don't know any actor on a par with Uttam Kumar or Amitabh Bachchan: Lily Chakraborty

Though roles have come and gone, Lily Chakraborty, who is returning on the big screen after 11 long years, says she has no complaints with the industry she belongs to
Your last film, Chokher Bali, was way back in 2003. After 11 years you are back on the big screen with Kaushik Ganguly's Khaad. What made you say yes to the film?
I am very choosy when it comes to films.The role has to be meaty enough for me to say yes and to sum up in one word, the character I essay in Kaushik's film is mindblowing. Any actress would have given an arm for it. When Kaushik narrated the script, it took me a second to give my nod. I had even told him that I was willing to do the film without any remuneration as the character was very strong and suited my age and personality. I play Sabita, an elderly Bangladeshi woman, who is suffering from cancer. She doesn't let anyone know that she is unwell. Despite knowing that she would die, Sabita remains positive ' her energy is infectious. She even dresses up to look nice. Sabita's last wish is to see Kanchenjunga and her only son, Khokon (Kaushik), whose entire life has gone into taking care of his ailing mother, is all set to fulfill it. I worked with Kaushik in telefilms and the way he handles emotions is praiseworthy. The mother-son relationship is also explored well in this film.
You speak in Bangal all through the film. Was that a problem?
Not at all! In fact, I loved it. I am from Dhaka and my parents, especially my father, used to speak in Bangal at home. So, I am used to the language. I still remember meeting Kaushik at a function, where he asked me whether I could speak in Bangal and I told him, 'Bangalermaiya, bangalbhashakoiteparumna, heitaabaarkikotha?' He laughed and said, 'Lilydi, tumi-iSabita!' In fact, I didn't need to rehearse the scenes. I turned into Sabita without any effort.
The director is all praise for you...
(Laughs) I am 73-plus, but when I am working, I forget everything else and focus on my character. We shot against all odds. But then, you can't make a good film without hard work. Being the senior-most cast member, I was pampered by the whole team. There is a point in the film where Sabita says, 'Ami hokolermashima' and it turned out to be true in real. We had to climb hills to reach the shooting spot, but the unit took care so that I could rest at regular intervals. After pack-up, we used to eat together and sit for hour-long addas, where everyone would want to know about my experience of working with Uttam Kumar, AmitabhBachchan and a lot more.

Lily Chakraborty and Amitabh Bachchan in a still from Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Alaap
How do you relate to the film?
In every possible way' People from varied backgrounds come for a trip to north Bengal. Their roads meet when they land in a difficult situation at Maldah station. They discover that there are no vehicles available to the hills due to a strike. Father Samuel, who's part of the group, comes up with a solution. He arranges for a missionary bus to take the group to a more well-connected spot in the hills. On its journey, the bus loses control and falls right into an abyss. Though the passengers are saved by god's grace, they get stranded in the dense jungle. That night, everyone comes to terms with the 'khaad' (abyss) in their hearts and dark secrets come tumbling out.
You have completed 56 years in this industry. Do you have any regrets?
There's no point in talking about what I haven't got, but this industry has given me a lot too. I believe, face is the mirror of one's heart. If you are unhappy, it's bound to reflect on your face. By god's grace, I have worked with directors like Satyajit Ray, RituparnoGhosh, Gulzar Saab, HrishikeshMukherjee to name a few and never for once did I have to request them to cast me. I didn't even have to ask Kaushik, who offered me this role. But yes, I should have got more challenging roles. At times, meaty roles came my way but I don't know how they went away too...
Heard you are part of a play along with SoumitraChatterjee?
Yes, I am part of Attokotha along with SoumitraChatterjee. That apart, I did a cameo in MainakBhaumik'sFamily Album and Shekar Das's next.
You have worked with some of the giants of the Indian screen. What do you think of today's actors?
(Laughs) The actors today have changed with time and there's no harm in it. Till today, I can't think of any actor who is on a par with either Uttam Kumar or AmitabhBachchan. I don't watch too many Bengali films. ApurPanchali was the last Bengali film that I watched in the theatre. I like ParambrataChatterjee, AbirChatterjee and Soham's style of acting. Even Srabanti is a very talented actress.

The actress with Uttam Kumar and Tarun Kumar in Deya Neya