Had received Best Actress Critics Choice Award for 'Sir': Tilottama Shome said – People thought that one cannot become an actress in mainstream cinema.

Actress Tilottama Shome is known for her different roles. Recently, the actress was seen in the role of Bindi Jain in the series 'Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper' released on Netflix. Recently, during a conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, Tilottama said that people had the impression about her that she could not become an actress in mainstream cinema. But after 40, she proved that age does not matter by winning the Best Actress Critics Choice Award for the film 'Sir'. During the question-answer session, the actress revealed some more stories related to her career.

Question: Why is an artist restricted to an age limit?

answer- It is people's own thinking that makes such assumptions. It was often said about me that I could not become an actress in mainstream cinema. People think that if you don't get a break at the age of 20, then it is difficult to get a break at the age of 30. Forget about getting a break at the age of 40. This pressure was always there. But I got maximum work at the age of 40.

Question- By the way, you got your first opportunity in 'Monsoon Wedding'?

answer– 'Monsoon Wedding' came to me suddenly at the age of 20. But I had to complete my studies. At that time I was told that the life of an actor is very short. If you don't focus on acting from now on, you won't be able to become a heroine. But I listened to my heart. The plans I had made for my career. Thought of moving forward on that. I completed my studies and completed a course in drama therapy.

Question- When did you return after 'Monsoon Wedding'?

answer- Monsoon returned to the industry after eight years of wedding. Didn't understand where and how to start. At that time people were giving various types of suggestions. Someone used to tell me to get my teeth straightened. People were also commenting about age group. I didn't deal with my life by reading someone else's story. Even though there was less work at that time, it had its own fun. There was time for friends and family. I gave him full time.

Question: What did you do to get rid of the perception people had about you?

answer– People find it very comfortable to express their opinion about someone. But it depends on yourself how to get out of it. I had understood that there is no shortcut to success here. Time had explained this thing. I chose the path in which I felt comfortable.

Question- When you entered the industry, what was the most difficult thing for you?

answer- We ourselves have chosen this industry knowing that it is very difficult here. The work phone did not ring even once in three years. It seemed as if time was slipping away. Books were my friends at that time. My parents had great emotional support. Never did anything wrong for money.

Question- How do you look at success and failure?

Answer: PI am getting more work than before, but I still have to struggle. I never felt like a failure. I was successful then and am successful even today. Success for me is that I am fulfilling my dream. I am not financially dependent on anyone. My needs are very few. Therefore, even though I was getting less work earlier, I did not face much trouble. Before coming to Mumbai, I had saved enough to meet my expenses for a year. We are complete experts on how to live with less money. I didn't have to borrow money from anyone.

Question- Okay, tell me, how did you get inclined towards acting?

answer- I was not good at studies at all. But she was very hardworking. Was studying in Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi. One day Piyush Mishra came to perform a play. Watching the play she wondered who the person was. I was so impressed that from there I also got inclined towards drama. I started doing plays in college. The benefit of this was that my stuttering went away. After that she joined Arvind Gaur's Asmita Theater Group. Then she went to New York University to pursue a master's in drama therapy.

Question- You taught drama therapy to murder convicts in the jail there, tell us something about it?

answer- After studying drama therapy at New York University, I worked in Riker's Island prison for two years. It is a high security prison for men and women. She used to go there to teach twice a week. By working with students and prisoners there, I understood the complexity of crime and its punishment. There I got a lot of help in acting. I never thought that I would come back to acting. But from there she came to Mumbai in 2008.

Question- After coming to Mumbai, you did many films, but 'Sir' has been the turning point film of your career, how did you get the opportunity in this?

answer- The husband of the film's director Rohena Gera used to make Prestige. My husband started a coffee company. Both of them had stalls in a market. Rohena had come there to help her husband. I also went to help Kunal. Rohena had seen my film 'Monsoon Wedding'. He had told about 'Sir'. After two years, when Konkana was doing the film 'A Death in the Gunj'. Then Rohena sent the script of the film. That was a very exciting moment for me.

Question- When you received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress Critics Choice for this film, did you feel that after so many years you have finally got the results?

answer- The biggest thing for me was that after so many years of hard work, I got a good job. After this film, good work started coming. Got the job in 'Tribhuvan Mishra CA Topper' without audition. Director Puneet Krishna had seen the film and was confident that she would be able to play the role of Bindi Jain.

Question- Before this, you had done an amazing job with Irrfan Khan in 'Qissa'. Did films like 'Hindi Medium' with him. How was the experience of working with him?

answer- Even after 'Kissa', one had to wait for good work for a long time. I don't regret it, because I got to learn a lot from that film. Irfan Bhai used to say to concentrate on your work. It doesn't matter what others think. Even today I follow his words.

Question- How did your love story with Kunal Ross begin?

answer- We met for the first time over lunch at my cousin's house through a common friend. He had come from Dubai. I liked it at first sight, but I didn't think anything like this at that time. He went to Dubai and sent an email from there, I replied. For months we kept talking over email. We tried to understand each other and got married in 2015.