People think a girl has to compromise to be an actress but that’s not true: Falna actress Roshni Tanwi Bhattacharyya

It’s been a roller coaster ride for Roshni Tanwi Bhattacharyya, who never in her wildest dream, thought of becoming an actress. But destiny had some other plans for the girl with a cute smile. Courage and strong determination helped Roshni overcome the hurdles on her way. The girl next door, who started her struggle as a junior artist, paved her way to bag the lead in Raj Chakraborty’s 'Falna'. From highlighting wrong notions about the entertainment industry, narrating her struggling days to bagging ‘Falna’, Roshni caught up with ETimes TV in an unplugged conversation… (Photo: Facebook)

“I used to sing. My mom took me for a voice grooming session. Interestingly, the director asked me to try my luck in acting. Pretty soon he asked me to join the workshop he had arranged for an upcoming movie. At that time, I didn’t even know how to put kajal. I never thought I was presentable either. Moreover, we didn’t have any idea about the entertainment industry. But after giving it a thought, I decided to attend the workshop. A few days after joining the workshop, Roshni realised her passion. “During the workshop, I realised acting makes me happy,” says the actress.

Things didn’t turn out the way newcomer Roshni had imagined. “Soon, the director offered me the lead role but with a condition. He asked us to pay Rs. 5 lakh. I was young and didn't realise he was fooling us. I kept asking mom to pay the money so that I could get a break. She told me, money can’t buy talent. That time, I didn’t realise what she meant but later, I understood what she tried to explain,” the actress shares.

“By that time, I had fallen in love with acting. I started approaching directors for work. People promised me a role but I ended being a part of the crowd. I worked without pay, too. Projects changed, sets changed but I remained a part of the crowd. Interestingly, in this industry, once you are a part of a crowd, you are stuck! Just like how you get negative roles once you play an antagonist. I had to break it and I am lucky that I made it so far,” says the actress. (Photo: Facebook)

Roshni has been a part of several TV shows as a junior artist. There have been episodes that made her feel humiliated during her struggle as a junior artist. Though the actress doesn’t want to speak about it much, she shared a few instances. “Just like many other actors, not all my memories as a junior artist, are beautiful. Not every time, junior artists are being treated with respect. While lead actors and other artists have separate washrooms, junior artists are entitled to a certain place to seat, a common toilet that is full of dirt and then, there are other issues as well. Things have changed though. I still remember how I used to look at the room assigned to the heroine, how the hairstylist uses tong while doing their hair. One day, I looked at the mirror of such a make-up room from a distance and promised myself to earn it. I told myself you are the captain of your ship,” Roshni’s voice reflected different emotions as she took a walk down the memory lane. (Photo: Facebook)

Roshni played a brief role in ‘Kajal Lata’ which was incidentally produced by Raj. She played small roles in ‘Adorini’ and ‘Baksho Bodol’. ‘Satyameva Jayate’ was the show which saw her playing a prominent role. Soon, she landed the lead role in ‘Hriday Haran B. A Pass’ which made her a household name. (Photo: Facebook)

During the conversation, the actress shared how people have certain notions about the entertainment industry. “People have wrong notions about the entertainment industry. They don’t consider it as a profession and rather say- ‘Ei line ta bhalo na’. They think, entertainment industry is not for educated people. It’s wrong. I have done B.Pharma and I am an actress. There are many others who have strong educational backgrounds, too. People also think, a girl has to compromise to be an actress. That’s rubbish. I can share my experience. I have never compromised anything and will never bow down.” (Photo: Facebook)

The actress is currently playing the lead in ‘Falna’, produced by Raj. The show has a strong cast including Laboni Sarkar, Saptarshi Roy, Reshmi Sen, Pushpita Mukherjee, Debojyoti Roy Chowdhury Meghan Chakraborty, and others. Roshni hailed Raj for mentoring her and shared the first time she met him. “A few years back, I had attended an audition for a film which was being produced by Raj da’s house. I still remember the day when I reached Raj da’s old office. Mom sat inside the car while I rushed to his office. It was summer and I was all perplexed. I gave the audition though I couldn’t make it. That was the day I first met Raj da. I told him about the day recently,” Roshni shares. (Photo: Facebook)

The actress is playing Beni’s character in ‘Falna’. Beni wanted to be a magician just like her dad although she wasn’t allowed due to the fact that she is a girl. “Such gender bias is prominent in our society in 2021. And Falna is narrating it in the most hard-hitting way. At times, it gives me chills the way the story is being told,” she says. The actress shares how Beni has become a part of her life. “Though we have started shooting recently, Beni has become a part of my life already. There are times when tears start rolling down my cheek while acting for certain sequences. I can feel her pain,” the actress adds. (Photo: Facebook)

Bagging the lead role in Raj Chakraborty’s show is a dream for many actors and Beni aka Roshni is living it already. “I have earned it. My path has never been easy but my determination was strong and I kept on marching. When I look back to the day I started, it gives me more power. I have some bigger dreams and I will march on until I achieve those,” Roshni signed off on a positive note. (Photo: Facebook)