Konkona Sen Sharma on Jaya Bachchan: I love her attitude when she scolds the paparazzi – Exclusive – Times of India

Konkona Sen Sharma is no less than of a fan of Jaya Bachchan. Apart from their Kolkata connection, the two ladies have worked together in Laga Chunari Mein Daag, where their other colleagues were also Bengali – Rani Mukerji and Pradeep Sarkar. Konkona has unforgettable memories of their outdoor shoot, when Jaya Bachchan took care of the young actress like a mother. Speaking to ETimes, Konkana reveals all that she loves about the inimitable Jaya ji and it includes her bittersweet interactions with the nosy paparazzi. Read on…
‘She is still referred to as Jaya Bhaduri in Bengal’

I love her. I absolutely adore Jaya Bachchan aka Jaya Bhaduri, as she is still referred to in Bengal. There’s such a sense of ownership and pride. I’ve heard about her since I was growing up. If I’m not mistaken, her father was a very respected journalist.
‘I call her Jaya di’

I got the experience of shooting with her in Rituparna Ghosh’s film Sunglass, which unfortunately never released. The film was in two versions- Hindi and Bengali. She played my mother in the film. I call her Jaya di. We had absolutely wonderful interactions while working on set in Kolkata with Jaya di and Ritu da. It felt like one family.

‘I felt loved and protected by her warmth’

I also have wonderful memories of her from Laga Chunari Mein Daag. We were shooting in Benaras for so long. It was early in my career and it was one of the longest outdoor shoots. So, I was naturally homesick. She took me under her wings. And I will always be grateful. Of course, Dada (Pradeep Sarkar) and Rani (Mukerji) were fab. But Jaya di was special. I felt loved and protected by her warmth.

‘I love her attitude when she scolds the paparazzi’

She’d tell us a lot of funny stories when we used to chat. I love her attitude even today when she scolds the paparazzi. I love her no-nonsense attitude. I love the way she carries herself with so much dignity, grace and humour. She is one of the gems.

‘Jaya di lets you talk to her as an equal’

I didn’t get intimidated by her because I have often been surrounded by great artistes. I could talk to her easily as a colleague I respect. She has the quality to let you talk to her as an equal. Why are people like Jaya Bachchan inspirational? Because they do their own thing.