Little steps lead to lasting success, as does virtues of honesty and sincerity: Sharmistha

Some of the plays in which I have acted in are "Boroxa Jetiya Name" by Rajdeep Dey, Champak Sharma's "Draupadir Bostro Horon" and "Mur Tejot Tumar Naam" by Abhijeet Bhattacharya. In last year's theatres, the dramas in which I have performed are "Bhul Nubujiba Bhupen Da", Dhrubojyoti Sharmah's "Bridha Asramot Jui" and "Hunor Kharu Nalage Muk". For this year Abhijeet Bhattacharya's "Morom Bisari Jaon Bola" has been receiving utmost love and acceptance. We even bagged the highest sales for "Morom Bisari Jaon Bola".

Please Introduce Yourself

I am Sharmistha Chakraborty and I am from Guwahati. I am married and I have a daughter of six years. I completed my graduation in the year 2012. After that, I started my journey in the TV industry.

Tell us about your journey in the TV and theatre industry.

I participated in Miss Northeast contest in the year 2010, which was organised by Darpan. After that, in the year 2011, I participated in Miss India Worldwide and I was among the top 5 participants.

After that, when I came back to Guwahati, I was featured in the cover pages of magazines like Nandini and Maya. Rajesh Bhuyan, the renowned director saw my covers and contacted me for "Tumi Dusokute Kajol Lole," which was my first TV series. Prior to that, in the year 2011, I was also part of a short passing shot of the popular VCD Janmoni. In the year 2012, my journey started with "Tumi Dusokute Kajol Lole" by NK Production. Rajesh Bhuyan, the renowned director directed the series. I completed 100 episodes in the series and then moved over to my next TV series, which was "Meghronjoni" in Rang channel. Some other TV series in which I acted is "Jibon Noir Duti Par", "Hunor Hongkhar" and many others. After that when the channel Rengoni launched the series, "Behorbari Outpost", Rajesh Bhuyan provided me a break again by offering me the role of Tutumoni, who is a widely popular character now. I worked in Rengoni channel from 2013 to 2015. After that, I became a mother on 17 December 2015. I was continuing my work even while I was pregnant. However, when my daughter was born, I took a break of for 8 months. After 8 months, Manoj Saikia and Rajesh Bhuyan called me and asked me if I would be able to continue with Behorbari Outpost. I confirmed it and continued with Rengoni. In 2018, they started "Aparajita", a mega-series family drama for one and a half year of which I was a part of.

After that, from the year 2019, I associated myself with Mobile Theatre. The first approach was from Kohinoor Theatre. I signed with them for a lead character. The play's name was "Draupadir Bostro Horon" which was directed by Champak Sharma. I have received the name of Tutumoni from my performance in Rajesh Bhuyan's Beharbari Outpost and Draupadi from Kohinoor Theatre. I will cherish these two names till my last breathe. Hearing about tags like "Draupadi Khyato Sharmistha Chakraborty" or "Tutumoni Khyato Tutumoni Chakraborty" gives me satisfaction which money or other pleasures can never provide.

After Kohinoor I associated myself with Itihakh Theatre and still continuing my journey with them. For 2023 and 2024, I have signed with Luitporia Theatre.

The play, "Morom Bisari Jaon Bola" is receiving immense amount of love, which has been directed by Abhijeet Bhattacharya. I want to prove that audience is my God. I like to perform with the same amount of dedication and energy, irrespective of whether it is the first show, second show or the third show. Everyone from the tea vendor to the drop boy to the fellow performers, everyone is my audience. I can die for my passion, which is acting. The name Sharmistha Chakraborty is known to many only because of the audience. I desire that I can always prove myself worthy to them.

Bhramyaman (Mobile) Theatre runs for 9 months. It starts from July to next year's April. This session will wind up on 11 April 2023.

For two years I have been involved with Itihakh Theatre and my co-artist is Mridul Bhuyan. In Kohinoor Theatre my team was Debajit Majumdar, Arup Baishya. Even for Lutiporia, my co-actor is Arup Baishya. Some of the upcoming dramas in Luitporia Theatre are directed by Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Dhrubojyoti Sharma and Kobind Raj.

Tell the names of some of the plays in which you have performed.

Some of the plays in which I have acted in are "Boroxa Jetiya Name" by Rajdeep Dey, Champak Sharma's "Draupadir Bostro Horon" and "Mur Tejot Tumar Naam" by Abhijeet Bhattacharya. In last year's theatres, the dramas in which I have performed are "Bhul Nubujiba Bhupen Da", Dhrubojyoti Sharmah's "Bridha Asramot Jui" and "Hunor Kharu Nalage Muk". For this year Abhijeet Bhattacharya's "Morom Bisari Jaon Bola" has been receiving utmost love and acceptance. We even bagged the highest sales for "Morom Bisari Jaon Bola". "Moi Gandhir Putro" and "Jibon Yuddha" are two other dramas by Abhijeet Bhattacharya which I am a part of.

What are the challenges that you face on a daily basis?

Every day is a challenge for me. We have to perform 3 plays continuously with breaks of 10 minutes in between. A particular play lasts for about 2 and half hours. I try to keep my energy and performance consistent throughout the three shows. At times, someone from the audience would come up to me and point that I performed with the same amount of enthusiasm in the first and the last show. That is when I realise I have given one of my best performances. In Bhramyaman Theatre we travel after three nights to different places. We don't get any day off. As an artist, we have to sacrifice a lot. Even when there are situations in our home where our family members need us, we can't go back. There have been times when artists have lost their loved ones and still couldn't go back to their home. This is because thousands of people have booked the shows and neither the committee nor the audience would agree to a last minute cancellation. There might be times when I miss my daughter or she is sick and even then I don't have the option of visiting my family. Irrespective of everything, you have to perform in the evening. This profession demands a lot of craze and sacrifice. Sometimes a character like Devika in "Morom Bisari Jaon Bola" demands a lot of emotion modulation and thus it is very challenging. This is why every day and every night is a challenge for me.

What is the difference between a TV actor and a theatre artiste?

In TV, you have the option to rectify your mistakes as the option of multiple takes exists. However, in Theatres that doesn't exist. You have to give the perfect performance in one go. In TV you will have the option to give time to your family as you have to work from 8 to 8. This is not the case in terms of Theatre. I consider the stage as my Guru. I believe without stage, drama or acting I wouldn't be who I am. The stage is a different world. You have to cry, laugh or breakdown at once. In TV you have the option of dubbing and editing. I might or might not be able to present the same amount of emotion in a dubbing session.

How much is the scope in the Mobile Theatre industry?

There's a lot of scope but it depends on you how you want to go about it. It depends on whether you are talking about livelihood or the art. As an artist, you shouldn't be focusing on the remuneration in the initial stage. What matters is the growth and lessons which your seniors will be able to provide you in terms of opportunities. In terms of livelihood, it is possible to take this as a full time work if you know how to manage well. Theatre is a big industry in Assam. The money management factor depends on each individual. The way I manage with the money I receive might be different from the way another co-artist would manage. But at the end of it, it is manageable and one can base their livelihood on theatre, if they are determined enough. It depends on an individual's lifestyle. Someone like Mridul Das has been working in mobile theatre for 30 years. Therefore there's surely a lot of scope.

What are the qualities required to be a theatre artist?

Time maintenance is a must in theatre. Secondly, there is the respect. You have to know how to respect the people involved. This also includes the lower hierarchy workers like the people who set up the stage, the vendors etc. Thirdly, you have to respect the script and be determined and disciplined while working for the same. Performance comes prior to money. Don't chase the money, if you present utmost dedication towards your work, the money will come by itself.

Tell us about some of your memorable experiences.

I had a show in Kukurmara last year. I had to travel from Guwahati to Kukurmara. My driver black listed my number. Apparently he got a new job and asked me to search for a new driver. The new driver said that he will be able to join from Day 5 and I had my show before that. So I called my previous driver to ask him to come for two days. However, he blacklisted my number in the hour of need, while not being aware of anything. I was returning from a parlour and I was calling him to pick me up at 3.30 pm. I had to reach by 4.30 pm and he was not picking up the call. So I requested the cab driver in which I was returning from the parlour to help me. I was very anxious about the situation and felt like I might have a heart attack. The road seemed longer and time felt slower. The anticipation to reach the venue was killing me. My mind was continuously reminding me of the possible consequences if I don't reach the venue on time. However, with the cab driver's and God's blessings I reached the venue on time. The next day I treated the entire family of the cab driver who helped me. So that is one of those memorable experiences.

In another instance, I was supposed to perform at Ganeshguri. I felt that since it was near to my house, it won't take me much time. However, I got stuck in a jam and when I finally reached the venue, I had to get up on the stage without any makeup. So I guess we learn through our mistakes. We learn the importance of time and sincerity through such instances.

Have you faced any kind of prejudice or harassment in the theatre industry?

No I haven't faced any such kind of difficulty or harassment. The journey has been smooth and I am quite satisfied with.

How did you deal with the pandemic?

During the pandemic, photographers were doing a lot of photo shoots. So I resorted to the same. I did some designer photo shoots. In addition to it, most importantly I gave time to my daughter. Even now when I am off the Theatre I don't take up any serials or other work. I make sure to give three months' time to my family.

Have you acted in any films?

I have acted in films like Priyadarshini, which was a feature film, "Soi Gaonor Champa", "Rod Hoi Aha Tumi" and a few others.

What are your awards and achievements?

I was among the top 5 of Miss India Worldwide. Along with it, I have also received the subtitle of Miss Beautiful Eyes. Other than that, I have received appreciation mementos in various award functions and programs. I believe these were my achievement. This is because, it was only after coming back from Miss India Worldwide that I got featured in the cover page of a magazine and NK invited me.

What are you working on currently?

Currently, I'm working for Itihakh Theatre and for the 2023-2024 session I am looking forward to perform in Luitporia Theatre.

What advice would you like to give to other aspirants?

The only advice I would like to give is to work with utmost determination in the respective work that you are involved in. In today's date I believe it is not necessary to be disheartened if one's work suddenly gets disrupted. I believe destiny has something planned out for everyone. Even I never thought that I would become an actress. I was preparing for banking exams after my post-graduation, which I didn't complete. Secondly, there's no shortcut to anything. I believe that whatever proceeds slow lasts long. A journey that proceeds on with little steps will lead one to success. Lastly the virtues of honesty and sincerity are a must.

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