Sushmita Mukherjee: Humour is an extension of me

Sushmita Mukherjee on perfecting her comic timing for the role in Meri Saas Bhoot Hain and surviving in the industry for four decades

There is very little Sushmita Mukherjee hasn’t achieved in her four-decade career. An alumnus of the National School of Drama, the actor had a plethora of options at her disposal — films, television shows and web series. After her last stint on television, Jagannath Aur Purvi Ki Dosti Anokhi in 2022, it took a lot of convincing to get Mukherjee on board a new television show.

“I was not keen on doing television because I had just wrapped up a sweet show, which ran for four months. When they came to me with Meri Saas Bhoot Hain, I immediately said no. Despite their repeated efforts, I didn’t give my nod. Then the [channel’s] creative head asked me to reconsider the role as it was based on Aparna Sen’s Bengali film Goynar Baksho [2013]. That had me hooked,” says Mukherjee, adding that the daily soap is more mainstream, while loosely following the arc of the Bengali film. “I am playing the character originally [essayed] by Moushumi Chatterjee.”

The comedy-drama has Mukherjee playing a spirit who haunts her daughter-in-law. Mukherjee says comedy comes easily to her. “Being a theatre artiste, I have explored several genres. [With comedy], I am being myself. My family and friends call me a clown. My son tells me to behave, but why should I? I believe humour is an extension of me,” says the actor.

The veteran actor has witnessed the transition of showbiz, as television went from black-and-white to colour, from Doordarshan to digital entertainment. She says the key to sustaining a successful career is adaptability. “Change is the only thing constant. It is important to adapt with time, or you will be left sitting by the shores of the sea. I never chased money or fame. It was about experimenting with different roles. I didn’t come to become a heroine, so I didn’t have to compromise for quality [roles].”

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