Rati Agnihotri, who set the Hindi screen on fire with her debut film Ek Duje Ke Liye opposite Kamal Hasan, has mellowed enough to make a graceful comeback 15 years after she quit the scene.

Today, the beautiful Rati, pushing 50, has re-established her footing in Hindi films and is poised to make her debut in Bengali cinema. TWF correspondent Shoma A. Chatterji sits down for an informal tete-a-tete with the veteran actress in Kolkata.

What drove you to act in Bangla cinema so many years after your debut?
The reason is simple. It is not that I did not want to act in Bengali films when I was at the peak as leading lady. No one from Tollygunge ever approached me for a Bengali film.

I would have jumped at the chance had it come my way. My experience with Basu Chatterjee, Shakti Samanta, etc. had made me discover how talented Bengalis are.

Bengali directors are sensitive, can touch their work with finesse and subtlety and have a fine sensibility. I would hear of Bengali films, actors and technicians grabbing many awards everywhere.

Let's hear about this film you are doing.
Veteran filmmaker Dulal De is directing the film. It is called Aaina-te meaning, ‘In the Mirror.' Rituparna Sengupta introduced us. I was a bit hesitant to begin with because the language is new, the scenario is new, etc.

But when Dulal-da showed me the script, Ritu had already given me an idea, I liked it very much. I took on this film as a challenge. I know it will be tough, but I love the challenge.

I play Urmila, a barrister's wife who is known for her determination to work on and find justice for, the right causes. She runs a NGO and goes all out to solve problems of women. It's a very strong character, something I haven't played in a long time.

It is about the bonding that grows between Urmila and Malini, a young photojournalist played by Rituparna. The story is about how Malini meets Urmila and the two bond instantly. The pairing seemed just right for the film.

How close is Urmila Sanyal to Rati Agnihotri?
She is my mirror image. Like me, Urmila is neither completely white nor completely black. Like all of us in real life, she has ample shades of gray.

Like Urmila, I too am involved in social issues. And like her, I am very determined too. Urmila meets Malini (Rituparna) in an ashram, and things take a turn from there. The best part about Urmila is that after a long struggle fighting obstacles, there is a dramatic rise and growth in the character.

There is a tremendous turning point for her and for the story. I have to identify with my screen characters. I think it's important for every actor.

Maybe a small little glimpse, as that helps make the character seem flesh-and-blood.But that is all I am allowed to say at this point.

But how did you manage your Bangla dialogues?
I am known for being thorough in my homework before I come to the sets and listen to the director's commands. I have decided to try my best to do my own dubbing.

So, I have hired a private tutor to coach me in Bangla and if my director is satisfied, it will be my original voice delivering my lines in the film. My director feels the same. Acting is as much vocal as it is ex-pressional. Why should I allow someone else to take away 50% of my acting?

My co-actors, especially Rituparna, have been extremely helpful. Rituparna is extremely versatile. I sat with my director for discussions each time before shooting began.

I even have a tutor on the sets to help me with my accent and my pronunciation. I have so far done films in 10 languages and am very happy doing a Bengali film. I love the language, anyway.

I can't speak the language but I can understand when someone speaks it slowly. I like Bengali music too and I love fish!

Which among your characters as leading lady, would you remember as the most challenging one you have done?
The the most difficult role that I have ever portrayed I have played during my career as the heroine was Tawaif opposite Rishi Kapoor. I did the role of a prostitute and I had to change my entire body language for the film.

I could neither identify with the character nor could I get close to it. It was difficult to get the walk, the talk, the mannerisms right because she was so far removed from what I am and from where I belong.

I had to smoke a hookah and chew paans, two things that were anathema to me. That is why I still find it the most challenging. I have switched over the mother roles now and have taken it in my stride. I like them because I can relate to them as a mother myself.

I have just finished Luck, where I play a mother to Aamir Khan's nephew Imran, and Chal Chale where again I am a mother to a child who commits suicide as he is unable to handle academic pressures.