Her acting prowess in films with hard-hitting storylines has been lauded at foreign film festivals -- “Talvar” being the latest example -- but Konkona Sen Sharma has evaded the silver screen of Hollywood so far. The acclaimed actress says she is not averse to the idea of being a part of international projects, but that has never been her top priority.
“I have not done it (worked in films abroad) so far, and I have been working for over 13-14 years. I don’t have any plans as such. To begin with, there is not a burning ambition to work in foreign projects and secondly if these things have to happen, they happen,” Konkona told.
The “Wake Up Sid” actress is content after hearing about the rousing reception that Meghna Gulzar-directed "Talvar" got following its screening at the 40th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Busan International Film Festival.
An investigative thriller, the movie, releasing on October 2, is based on the infamous Aarushi Talwar murder case.
"I'm so happy to hear about the appreciation," said Konkona, who plays the mother of the murdered character in the film.
Also starring Irrfan Khan and Tabu, the film unfolds the case file of the 2008 murder of 14-year-old Aarushi Talwar and her family's domestic servant Hemraj on the big screen.
Konkona believes it is the room for ambiguity in the Aarushi Talwar murder case, with its missing chunks, that makes the film interesting and grips the audience's attention.
“This is not an open and shut case. Since there is mystery and intrigue regarding this particular case, with so much interest around it, now books and films are being made on that. There are missing chunks.
“There is a room for ambiguity and it is what makes the film interesting as it is an investigative thriller,” said the daughter of filmmaker Aparna Sen.
The 2008 case created ripples in society not only with the seriousness of the crime, but also its twists and turns. Aarushi's dentist parents - Rajesh Talwar and Nupur Talwar -- were blamed for killing thier own daughter.
Konkona, who was last seen in "Gour Hari Dastaan: The Freedom File", asserts that her character has more than what meets the eye with hues of grey in it. And that's what made her say 'yes' to the project.
“It's not a flat character. There is a certain ambiguity to it and many shades of grey. Because it is not an open and shut case and the way we have presented it, where audience views the characters with doubt -- as guilty, not guilty, as accomplice or not... I felt all of that will be quite challenging as a role,” she said.
The murder case still grabs headlines with the investigation still underway, but Konkona also firmly says that "the film is not solving the case".
"It is putting up three different scenarios during the investigation and holding them up and then it is for the audience to decide," she said.
Being a mother herself, was the role of a mother of a murdered daughter emotionally draining?
“I would not say that because I'm a mother, it was emotionally draining... because we don't always identify with our characters as our real life scenarios don't mirror what we are playing on screen,” Konkona said, adding that she tried to enter her character’s mind by assessing her “point of view”.
The “15 Park Avenue” star, who is also known for her work in the Bengali film industry, has a four-year-old son Haroon with estranged husband and actor Ranvir Shorey.