She belongs from a family of magicians and is a boxing champion yet she has left an impressive foot mark in Tollywood. Yes we are talking about Mumtaz Sorcar. During an exclusive conversation with our journalist Moumita Sarkar she unravels various aspects of her life and career. Here is the full conversation.
Moumita: First of all on behalf of the whole team of Bengalimovies, I would like to congratulate you on your latest film, Koyekti Meyer Golpo.
Mumtaz: Thank You.
Moumita: Was it your childhood dream to join the film industry or it just happened?
Mumtaz: Joining the film industry has never been my dream, it happened suddenly. Actually what happened you know, like every other child I used to copy my parents, in dressing or behaving; later on my focus shifted on my teachers. From then only, I realised that I am going to be a performer but I was not sure what will be the stream. (Smiles)
Moumita: So, your elder sister, Moubani showed the way?
Mumtaz: Yes, you can say so. Moubani was the first person from our family to be associated with the industry, it was new for her but for me it just to follow her. Even during my initial days she used to guide me.
Moumita: How did you bag your first project?
Mumtaz: When I was in first year of my college, Deboleena of Tara Music was making a music video, for which she needed an athlete. And she knew that, I am a boxer and this made her mind to tap me. Gradually I started receiving offers for films but I denied because I knew that it would be impossible for me to carry on both the stuffs (study and acting) at the same time.
Moumita: Tell us one such incident which was a turning point in your life?
Mumtaz: There are lot of turning points in my life. God knows how many more to come but I like it as it is good. Good in the sense, it does not allow me to be bored.
Moumita: As a film actress, how would you like to describe a film?
Mumtaz: Film is a medium of expression. Apart from actress I am also a magician so I would like to be a magician on screen, coz a magician is nothing but a wonderful actor, who with his convincing acting mesmerizes the audiences for some hours and forces them to believe what he is saying or doing.
Moumita: For the last 9 generations your family is associated with magic and now you two sisters are working in the film industry. Does this two diversified profession contradicts in your soul/mind?
Mumtaz: Well, both the professions basically deal with entertainment and I am an entertainer. In this world when everything is so harsh, I would like to do something which brings smile on people’s face.
Even, if I am offered a movie by Steven Spilberg and on the very same day I get a chance to perform with my parents, I would opt for the second one as it is more entertaining.
Moumita: You have acted with several actors; now with which Tollywood actors you would like to work?
Mumtaz: First of all, I don’t want to pin point someone, coz I am not that much experienced. Secondly, I would like to work with all of them because I believe each of them is unique in some angle.
Moumita: Apart from Bengali film industry are you interested to work in any other industry like Bollywood, Kannad, etc?
Mumtaz: Absolutely. In fact I got offer from Hollywood before Tollywood offered me. I auditioned for Darjeeling Limited by Wes Anderson and I bagged it. But when they elaborated me the character and the scenes, where I had to shade my clothes, I denied.
Even, I got offer for ‘Choli ke peeche’. Though I liked the script very much, I denied it just because of excessive nudity.
Moumita: Do you ever feel regret for refusing those films?
Mumtaz: No, never. Actually I believe whatever happens it happens for good.
Moumita: Are you going to do bold scenes, in future?
Mumtaz: Well, what I believe is that every woman is endowed with some sanctity and it should not be jeopardize. On the other hand, at the end of the day I am an actor so I will not mind to do bold scenes but one condition is there i.e. it should be shot aesthetically.
Moumita: Till date you have played different kind of roles, are there any specific roles you want to play?
Mumtaz: In fact there are two. As I am a boxer, I always wanted to play a character of an athlete and mine this wish is almost fulfilled in Bappaditya Bandopadhyay’s next, though the role is not of boxer still it is ok. Another one is of dancer.
Moumita: (Interrupted) But you have danced in lots of film.
Mumtaz: No, not those. I mean a dancer in a film which is entirely dedicated to the dancers. In Indian film history no such film has been made on this topic, there are lots in Hollywood.
Moumita: Like, Step Up?
Mumtaz: Absolutely. Even films like ‘Dil to pagal hai’ will do as it gave a lot of scope to dance.
Moumita: Are there any specific form of dance, you want to dance?
Mumtaz: Though I am trained in Kathak, I would love to dance in any form.
Moumita: What was the reason behind your signing of your recent film, ‘Koyekti Meyer Golpo’?
Mumtaz: Firstly, the script, it is very different. It is like ‘Sushi’, as the sushi-lovers love sushi in any form, similarly those who like the topic will like it and others will not.
Secondly, I wanted to work with Subrata da. These are the two reasons I signed for the film.
Moumita: You are a boxer. Have you ever faced any situation where you have beaten up a guy?
Mumtaz: (Laughs) There are lots.
Moumita: Share one?
Mumtaz: During my school days; on a strike day I went to school, while returning back I along with my friends could not find any transportation, so we decided to walk all the way. The journey was enthralling but in between some rowdy boys started to tease and follow us, I just turned around and punched one of the boys. My friends started to pull me back and the boy who got hit just got dumb stuck. (Laughs)
Moumita: Does this kind of self defence still continues?
Mumtaz: No. Later one I understood that it is not right to take the law and order in your own hand.
Moumita: Ok, now a personal question. Do you believe in love marriage or arrange marriage?
Mumtaz: Both. It depends on mood.
Moumita: Favourite food?
Mumtaz: There are lots. Basically, I am food loving person. I don’t believe in hard crash dieting, I love to eat a lot and along with that workout is must for me.
Moumita: Favourite outfit?
Mumtaz: Saree. Woman looks awesome in saree but not the western women. Saree does not suit them, they looks good in jeans and tops.
Moumita: Favourite hero?
Mumtaz: There is one. And he is my favourite not just for time being but for eternity. My FATHER.
Moumita: How would you define yourself in one word?
Mumtaz: Tags are given by people, some call me over smart, some idiot, etc. But I would like to tag myself as ‘Jhalmuri’. (Smiles)
Moumita: What are your upcoming films?
Mumtaz: Jala, Kanchanjuengha Express, Bappaditya da’s next one (may be it will be titled as China Town, but am not sure).
Moumita: Thank you so much for giving your valuable time to us.
Mumtaz: You are welcome.
