Konkona Sensharma, one of Indian cinema’s most acclaimed talents, recently revealed that she never initially envisioned acting as a career. Despite growing up in a film background and performing in college plays, she thought her future lay elsewhere. “I thought I would get into something like advertising, journalism, or publishing—things that people do after doing their English honors,” she shared in a conversation with mid-day’s Sit with Hitlist.
Konkona’s reason for being a snob
The actress also recounted her early experience with the Bengali film Ek Je Aachhe Kanya, which she shot during a college summer vacation. “I was so unhappy the whole time,” she admitted. “Even though the director, Subrata Sen, was so sweet, I was such a snob. I was unhappy with this kind of film because it was an adaptation of The Crush, which was like a Hollywood B film. I didn’t really empathise with my character and thought she was so silly. I couldn’t care less about the film or the part at that time.”
Konkona reflected on her evolving self-perception, saying, “I think I’m a nice, good human being, but I still think I’m a bit of a snob. I have high standards for myself.”
Konkona’s breakthrough in Indian cinema
Her breakthrough came with Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, directed by her mother, Aparna Sen, which won her a National Award. Yet even after this recognition, Konkona wasn’t immediately serious about acting. “I remember looking at classifieds for jobs, going for interviews in Delhi. I even gave an interview for a sales job,” she revealed. “It was only after the National Award that I got attention and offers from Bombay. I thought, let me just try acting for a few years and see before getting a real job—that was always my attitude.”
After her breakthrough in Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, Konkona Sensharma took on diverse projects, including Chai Pani and Amu, gradually finding her footing in the industry. Her big commercial breakthrough came with Madhur Bhandarkar’s Page 3.
Reflecting on her journey, she said, “Madhur had just made Chandni Bar, which I loved, especially Tabu, whom I adore. I was very excited. Then I came to Bombay and did films like Rajat Kapoor`s Mixed Doubles and Naseeruddin Shah`s Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota. I was constantly in and out of Bombay, living out of suitcases.”
She added that settling into her own apartment marked a turning point: “Then I thought, let me just rent an apartment for a few months. Today, I’m very grateful for my journey. I’m very happy and fulfilled.”
From hesitant beginnings to becoming a celebrated figure in Indian cinema, Konkona’s journey is a testament to patience, persistence, and discovering passion unexpectedly.
