Ra.One director Anubhav Sinha believes Kolkatans don't need Bollywood to prove their talent.

Addressing a press meet in Kolkata on Monday, Sinha said: "Kolkata people are already talented, they don't need Bollywood to promote themselves."

The director was in Kolkata to attend the montage shoot of upcoming Bengali serial ‘Shibani' directed by his nephew Anshuman Pratyush.

"I saw the first four episodes of the serial and didn't believe he is doing such good work. So, I thought of seeing it personally, said Sinha.

Commenting on Indian serials, he said: "I don't have a clue what is going on in national and regional serials but I think they are doing pretty good."

When asked Sinha about his opinion on the future of Indian animation cinema, he said: "It will take some time to flourish here as we lack expertise who can create such movie. Even, when we did Ra.One we had to import expertise from abroad."

The story of Shibani revolves around a female rebellious journalist played by Sayantoni Mukherjee.

Sayantoni said: "She is a rebellious girl. But after her marriage she faces problem while protesting against wrongdoing."

"The character is made to inspire people to stand for justice, " she said.

When asked how much she is like Shibani in real life, the actor said: "I am very jaunty in real life. But this is not possible to show in the serial as my part is of rebellious girl."

For the montage shoot Sayantoni was seen clad in a Bengali bride's attire (red sari with heavy gold jewellery).

Commenting on her look, she said: "This is the fifth time I am wearing this look for the shoot and who doesn't like to look like a Bengali bride. Especially, the vermilion makes every girl look beautiful."

The reel life bride may soon transform into a real life bride this year. Asked if would she repeat the same trousseau in her wedding, she said: "I will opt for something white or lehenga."

Ratul Bhattacharjee, who is enacting the role of Shibani's husband, said about his character: "He is the youngest son of the royal family. He returns from abroad after completing his higher studies. Here he finds Shibani and starts liking her. Gradually, the likeness transforms into love."

"He is a person of liberal mentality. He supports his wife when he thinks she is fighting for a right cause, " he added.

The serial, to be aired on Bengali channel Rupashi Bangla, also stars Subhankar Saha, Rupa Bhattacharya, Ashok Kumar, Deb Shankar Haldar, Nandini Ghoshal, Saptarshi Roy, Indrani Basu and Debdut Ghosh.