WATCH! EXCLUSIVE | Konkona Sen Sharma on ‘Search: The Naina Murder Case’: ‘Parenting is tricky; there is no right or wrong…’

It is difficult for a woman to do the balancing act and who knows it better than Sanyukta Das, the character played by Konkona Sen Sharma in  Search: The Naina Murder Case.

In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Firstpost’s Lachmi Deb Roy, Konkona talks about her role, being a mother and why there is no right and wrong parenting. She believes building a level of bond and trust in the relationship is important. Surveillance is not the answer all the time.

WATCH the interview of Konkona Sen Sharma & Surya Sharma, along with director Rohan Sippy

Edited excerpts from the interview:

How was your experience of working on the show? Were you finding it difficult to let go of the case?

My character Sankyunta was finding it difficult and I was able to understand that and relate to it. It’s a difficult position for her to be in, because she can do her job and she’s meant to do a lot of other things too. Simultaneously, she has a domestic and personal life, both of which are important. It is difficult for any woman to strike that balance.

How much do you relate to the character because you are a mother in real life, and you have a child who is at an impressionable age?

I do relate to the challenges of the character. My child is younger than a teenager. I do relate to it to a certain extent. I relate to a lot of different aspects of my character. It is not only about the fact that she has a teenage daughter. It was easier for me to relate to Sanyukta than a lot of my previous characters because there is a lot of situational commonality.

There are instances when you play a character you are completely removed from your real self. Even if you are playing a serial killer, you have to find some point of connection. Also, this was way easier because there is a pre-established format, it has been adapted so well for the Indian context. The writers have done their part so well that it helps.

What is it that plays in your mind when you pick a topic as an actor as well as a director?

I played a mother very early in my career in Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. That is a part and parcel of being an actor. You cannot play parts that are close to you all the time. The major thing is how easily I am able to read the script. If it’s a chore to read the script and I am not able to read it because it has not been written well, that is the first red flag for me.

If I cannot read it only, it is going to be difficult to watch. And I’m used to reading and imagining. I like to read a lot and appreciate the details that have been put to the character. I love it when my character is going through some sort of transition. And then I also have to look at the director, if I will get along, if I can have a rapport with him or not. These are the questions I ask myself before taking up a role.

Parenting as a job can be very taxing and exhausting. How do you navigate through it and your tips so that it can be helpful for other mothers? And how much of a hindrance is the internet?

It would be lovely to ask Rohan Sippy (director of the show) the same question because he also has a daughter of an impressionable age. We should always ask questions about parenting to both men and women. It’s a tricky thing and many people can do it in different ways, there’s no right or wrong. It’s a constantly shifting thing because your child is growing. One always has to adapt to the level of understanding. We have addressed these questions before when we were letting them out in the real world. Building a level of bond, trust and connection always helps because of how much you can do surveillance. Surveillance is not the answer all the time.

WATCH the trailer of ‘Search: The Naina Murder Case’: