Sen & sensibility

MAYUKH MAJUMDAR TALKS TO KONKONA SEN SHARMA, WHO IS WINNING PLAUDITS FOR HER BRAVURA ACT IN THE GRIPPING SERIES MUMBAI DIARIES

- MAYUKH MAJUMDAR

Konkona Sen Sharma’s latest web-series, Mumbai Diaries, has been earning rave reviews on social media and has already become a critics’ favourite. Mumbai Diaries deals with the plight of medical professionals during the 26/11 terrorist attacks in the city. Along with the Taj Palace and Leopold Café, Mumbai’s CAMA hospital had also witnessed the worst of the 26/11 attacks. There was news at that time about doctors and nurses delivering babies in silence while the hospital was overrun by terrorists. Konkona plays the role of the hospital’s social services director, Chitra Das in the show. Konkona’s character is the victim of domestic abuse which leaves her almost crippled with fear and trauma. At the same time, she regularly puts herself in her patients’ shoes and helps them lead happier lives. And then, of course, 26/11 happens and Chitra Das has to rise to the occasion alongside her colleagues. In this candid interview, Konkona talks about her character’s growth, the attacks on doctors in government hospitals, the politicisation of the “spirit of Mumbai” and how it is only in moments of fear, that one can show courage. Excerpts…

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER, CHITRA DAS?

Chitra Das is the social services director of a hospital. She has a medical background but she is not a doctor. As we know, on 26/11, many people went out of their way, to help others. She is one of these people. She is also someone who is dealing with a lot of emotional baggage from the past.And interestingly, what I liked about her, is that she is someone who is vulnerable and through the course of time has to overcome it. And she goes through a certain growth where she is able to show tremendous courage by the end of the season.