‘I’m not going to do B-grade films just to get the Bollywood actor tag’

Primarily known for her work on the small screen for almost a decade, actor Pooja Banerjee is content with the opportunities coming her way. However, she now wants to explore and take up more substantial work in films and on OTT as well. Asserting that she’s in no hurry, she adds that she “never saw television as a stepping stone to get into films”, neither does she feel that it’s anyway lesser than any other medium. “I’m comfortable doing TV shows. I know people here, right from those working behind the camera to my co-stars. TV feels like home. The industry

Pis warm and giving. There are abundant opportunities for everyone. I know many would say you get stereotyped on TV easily, but then that happens in films as well,” says the Swim Team actor, who made her Bollywood debut with Love Ke Funday in 2016 and has done two web shows, too. While she keeps giving auditions for films, she has not signed anything else after her debut project. “I did a film and realised I’m not happy doing it. I’ll do films only when it’s a great character. I’m not going to do B-grade films just to get the tag of a movie actor,” she shares. Banerjee confesses that the not-soencouraging response to her first film taught her a lesson for life. “A good banner, director and co-stars are pertinent factors. My screen time matters least compared to the impact and importance of my part in the narrative. You can leave an impression even with a small role. After the past experience, I want to cross-check a lot of things before making a decision,” she explains. The actor is aware that it takes time to build a name and she doesn’t want to harm that by choosing a wrong project. “I’ve had my share of ups and downs and have seen people around go through a lot for their wrong choices. So, I’m just being careful,” Banerjee ends. the past After want I experience, cross-check to before things decision. a making

Shreya Mukherjee