By her own admission, Seema Biswas is feisty like the screen counterpart she played in 1994. “I enjoy a good challenge and for me, a good role is more important than its hype – commercial or otherwise,” maintains this actress whose portrayal of Phoolan Devi in the ‘Bandit Queen’ won her the National Award for Best Film Actress (1996). But even for one so bold, there were initial reservations. “When I first read the script, I was not scared about it. However, I did raise the query about the need for bold nude scenes in the film. But Shekar Kapur explained to me that the humility Phoolan faced must be portrayed in all its ugliness and not disguised,” explains Seema, who continues to choose women-centric and strong characters to portray in both art and commercial cinema.
The ensuing controversy terrified her, but she stood her ground. Her biggest support came from within her own family. “I recall when this huge storm began, I asked Shekar for a VCD of the film so that I could show it to my parents. For a few minutes after they saw the film, there was absolute silence. And then my father turned around and said, ‘my daughter has given such a fantastic performance’. There could never be a better endorsement of my choice. I have never had any regrets doing the film,” she reiterates.
In comparison, today, she points out, nudity is not an issue either with the actress or the audiences in India. “You have to be very clear first in your mind as to the kind of film you want to make or role you want to do. If the role demands it, there is nothing wrong with nudity as long as it is portrayed in the right manner and context,” she maintains.
A theatre actress for whom the stage has lost no shine, Seema is currently directing and enacting two solo plays based on Tagore’s stories. “Both roles are women-centric. ‘Streer Patra’ is about a woman of substance. We have staged around 50 shows now, mainly in the villages. I love to stage my plays in various corners of the country and draw audiences, particularly young people to it,” says Seema who is elated that many from non-artistic backgrounds are being drawn to the medium.