'Working in Marathi film was a challenge'

Noted actress and censor board Chief Sharmila Tagore says that she is not attached to her image and was capable of taking risks.

Tagore, who is making her debut in Marathi film opposite actor-filmmaker Amol Palekar in Samantar (parallel), told reporters that regional cinema has strong roots. "Being a Bengali, I have kept in touch with the cinema of my mother tongue. Besides having lived and worked in Maharashtra for several years, working in a Marathi film was quite a challenge," she added.

About her association with Palekar, Sharmila said, "We worked in a Bengali film several years ago, which he happened to direct as well. When Amol approached with this subject, I was taken aback and asked him why he wanted me in the film when a Maharashtrian actress could have done the role. But, he convinced me that I was best suited to essay the character."

"We are likeminded people who believe in good cinema," she added. She said working in Samantar which has been shot near Kolkata, has been a positive experience.

"My role turned out to be better than what I had expected. There was dignity and depth in it which I identified myself with. I like playing such kind of characters. Amol was supportive and it was a role where there was nothing I should not be doing. I am not playing a teenager in it," Sharmila said.