5 Konkona Sensharma Characters That I Love

Konkona Sensharma is a terrific actress whose creative ability, I feel, is still underrated in the film industry. Here are 5 roles played by the unconventional performer that are my favourites:

Sona Mishra (Luck By Chance)

One of my favourite movies about the Hindi film industry, Luck By Chance portrays Sona Mishra as an aspiring actress who hopes to get a big break in films with the help of a producer. I love how her character develops through the film: she evolves from being someone emotionally and professionally dependent on others to someone who has taken charge of her destiny and accepts life as it is. Konkona brings the perfect degree of optimism, confidence and gullibility to the character of Sona.

Bharti Mondol (Geeli Pucchi in Ajeeb Daastaans)

Konkona plays the role of Bharti Mondol, a Dalit factory worker in Neeraj Ghaywan's Geeli Pucchi, my favourite segment from the 2021 anthology film Ajeeb Daastaans. Bharti is fierce, independent and strong, but also vulnerable and helpless at times. Her character has a hint of masculinity about her and Konkona effortlessly portrays her on screen. Her performance never borders on caricature. Watch out for the scene where Bharti sips the tea that is served to her in the steel cup (because of her caste), as she looks at Priya (Aditi Rao Hydari), while convincing Priya's family not to let her work after she has a baby. It's almost as if she wants Priya, who she feels has betrayed her, to understand and reflect on how she has used the entire situation to her advantage.

Titli (Titli)

This 2002 Bengali film directed by Rituparno Ghosh portrays the story of Titli (Konkona), a teenager who has a crush on movie star Rohit Roy. As she travels with her mother to the airport to pick up her father, their car is stopped and they are requested to pick up a co-passenger whose car has broken down. Titli is pleasantly surprised as the man turns out to be none other than Rohit Roy. Her happiness is short-lived, however, as she learns that Rohit and her mother were lovers in their youth. She feels her mother has betrayed her and is heartbroken. The movie also explores the dynamics of a mother-daughter relationship and Konkona portrays Titli with the same immaturity, restlessness and curiosity that we all have as teenagers.

Also read: The Trailblazing Miss Konkona Sensharma

Meenakshi Iyer (Mr. and Mrs. Iyer)

Meenakshi, a married woman and mother, is joined by Raja, a wildlife photographer, as she embarks on a bus journey with her child to return home. She is a Hindu orthodox Brahmin and he, a Muslim. Meenakshi is initially furious when she comes to know of Raja's identity, but nonetheless protects him when a Hindu mob enters the bus. As they continue their journey, they develop an unconventional relationship. When it's time for the two to part ways, both of them realise that they have left a much more lasting influence on the other than two random strangers who met on a trip.