I had a lot of fun shooting for Aari after a 12-year gap : Mousumi Chatterjee

Aari, directed by Jiit Chakraborty, is a family drama that explores the intricate relationship between a mother and her son, delving into the highs and lows that define familial bonds. The highlight of this film is the return of legendary actress Mousumi Chatterjee to Bengali cinema after a 12-year hiatus, portraying the role of the mother. Yash Daasguptaa plays her son, offering audiences a chance to see him in a more nuanced and emotionally driven role. Nussrat Jahan takes on the character of Aditi, a writer, adding depth to the narrative with her performance. Calcutta Times spoke to Mousumi, where she shared her thoughts on Aari, her equation with Yash and Nussrat, and much more. Read on...
Tell us about the film—Aari.
Aari is a joyride of emotions, navigating the simplicity and complexities of everyday life. The film beautifully captures universal experiences and feelings, weaving a narrative that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect. What makes it truly special is its relatability—every viewer will find a part of themselves in the story. Aari, a true slice-of-life tale, blends nostalgia with contemporary storytelling, offering a cinematic experience rich in emotion, drama, and authenticity.
What made you say ‘yes’ to this film after such a long hiatus from Bengali movies?
Jiit came to Mumbai to narrate the story, and he was adamant about casting me as Yash’s mother in the film. After my elder daughter Payal passed away, I confined myself to my home, as I still haven’t been able to get over such a huge loss. In the meantime, many offers came my way, but I refused them all. This time, however, my younger daughter Megha insisted that I hear the story before deciding. It was both the story and Megha who convinced me to do the film. And I’m happy that I agreed, because working with Yash and Nussrat was truly a pleasure. As producers, they are marvellous and took great care of me. Also, I must say, my chemistry with Yash is something the audience will love watching on screen. Yash is extremely composed, quiet, and well-behaved, while Nussrat is beautiful, chirpy, and always smiling. With them around, it felt more like fun and a picnic on set.

Share your working experience with Yash, who plays your son in this film.
Do you know that Yash and I both close our eyes when we laugh? That’s something we have in common! Nussrat knows that the camaraderie between Yash and me is fantastic—better than with her at times (laughs). On a serious note, what I liked most about Yash and Nussrat is their sincerity and empathy towards the team. There are emotional scenes between Yash and me where he bowled me over with his acting and body language. The key to emotional scenes is restraint—avoiding going over the top—and Yash did that perfectly.
We heard you enjoyed having taaler bora (sweet palm fritters) while shooting for the film?
Oh yes! While in Kolkata, I love having bhaat, daal, along with gondhoraj lebu. One day, I asked the team if I could get taaler bora, and I couldn’t believe that Yash made sure I had it. The team sourced the taal and made bora on set. I enjoyed having it even more because of the sweet gesture behind it.
You were the leading actress in the 70s. What differences have you observed while working in films now?
I feel that discipline is lacking in many people nowadays—‘short cut’ has become the mantra. We used to consider our director as our guruji. Working with responsibility is something that’s missing in today’s generation. I see most of them busy with their phones, whereas in our time, we used to observe others acting so that we could learn and grow as artists. But believe me, I’m still learning—from the director to the spot boy—because that sincerity is ingrained in me.
Were you nervous when you gave your first shot for Aari after so many years?
Not at all—once an actor, always an actor. I was more curious to see how today’s teams operate and shoot scenes. Many people ask if I missed the limelight during these years. Honestly, I didn’t, as I was too involved with my family and dealing with the grief after losing my elder daughter.
Is the character you played similar to you in real life?
Yes—except that she suffers from dementia in the film, and I don’t in real life. Otherwise, we are very similar—always laughing, enjoying life, and full of positivity. In real life, I want to live happily and focus on the positive side of everything because ups and downs are part of everyone’s journey. I learned this from my parents, who were spiritual by nature. They taught me to enjoy every bit of life, as no one knows what tomorrow holds. I always say, I am God’s special child who has received a lot from the Almighty. So, no regrets in life. Sobar shonge bhaab, karo shonge aari noy. (Stay friendly with everyone, hold no grudges.)
You’re still known as Balika Bodhu and for your infectious smile...
Thank you to my audience—it is their love and appreciation that have made me who I am today. Everyone used to adore Uttam Kaku’s (Kumar) smile. But he once told me, “I get confused—whose smile is better, yours or mine?” What more could I possibly ask for?