In Premendu Bikash Chaki’s romcom Alaap, Abir Chatterjee and Mimi Chakraborty play characters who work in different IT companies. They cross each other’s paths in the professional sphere where a series of events unfolds. The film deals with the intricacies of relationships. A t2 chat...

When did your ‘alaap’ happen?

Abir: Mimi had started working in television, and I already knew people from that team. I spotted her at a workshop. Later, I saw her at the rehearsals of Gaaner Opare. It was a very prestigious, important project and she was under some pressure.
Mimi: The environment was new for me.
Abir: ‘How’s it going?’ I asked. And she was like, ‘I am feeling tense.’ I told her to calm down and have her lunch.
Mimi: I had started work around 8am and Abirda had come around 3pm. And I had not had any food till then.
Abir: She had almost accepted the situation without any complaints. You’ve heard Mimi’s recent song, Bhallagchena. Well, that was her then!

What was your impression of her as an actress?

Abir: I knew that she was talented and very sincere; she had that hunger to do well... she needed a bit of guidance then and she was a fast learner. She has been very consistent.
Mimi: I tasted fame at the age of 20. It was difficult to grasp the meaning of it.
Abir: But she did not let fame go to her head. She enjoyed her work.
Mimi: Exactly. And my dream was to become an actor. But then I did not know the details of building a career. When I started shooting for my first film, I would see crowds gather to watch me on the sets. Many would also greet me as Pupe (her character from Gaaner Opare).

Was Abir like a friend, philosopher and guide for you?

Mimi: I remember Abirda’s film Cross Connection released during that time. We would always have a great time when we met. We spent a lot of time together while we were shooting for Bojhena Shey Bojhena. Abirda helped me with technical details during the shoot. He was a constant support. I knew that he was someone from the industry who I could rely on. I have discussed a lot of things about my life. He would cheer me up when I was not going through a good time.
Abir: It came very naturally. It is beyond cinema. And we do not have any hidden chambers.

Mimi, Abir was like your teacher then. And now you are the teacher off the camera!

Mimi: Not at all.
Abir: See, I have not said anything. You have given this impression.
Mimi: I was only hurrying up and telling everyone to finish the shoot quickly... because I know my energy levels will drop after 4pm. I woke up very early today and then hit the gym.
Abir: During Bojhena Shey Bojhena, it was my responsibility to take her to the sets from the make-up van.

Is it possible to remain friends in this industry?

Mimi: Abirda is everyone’s favourite.
Abir: That’s like #favourite.... only for social media. Thankfully, no one has tried to break our friendship or spread rumours against each other. And we are very protective of each other. And when it comes to trolling, I have gone into the non-reactive mode. I have a very selective number of friends and I am very happy with that.
Mimi: We have never consciously tried to create chemistry for us in films.

Have you had arguments or disagreements?

Abir: I will share one incident! For the first time. This happened during Bojhena Shey Bojhena. I had dozed off in my van. Suddenly I hear Mimi’s voice. ‘Wake up,’ she says with an urgency. When I open my eyes, I see that Mimi has put nail polish on my toenails.
Mimi: Abirda was angry!
Abir: Yes... and then we were supposed to go home in the same car.
Mimi: We got into the car and then we kept quiet.
Abir: Suddenly, I spotted a guy wearing the same shirt that Mimi was wearing. I took her picture, and then his, and sent both pictures to Mimi. We both started laughing after that!

At one point in time, both of you starred in different or parallel streams of movies. Would you discuss details, and share pointers?

Abir: I had seen her in Posto, and really liked the film. And I told her to do more such films. But this came from a very sincere position. I was not trying to give her unsolicited advice or be patronising. We always had that healthy exchange.
Mimi: By that time I had realised my work is everything. That is what I had ever wanted from life. I was doing four films a year, doing shows.

It is the norm now for Abir and Mimi to star in a film. But eight years ago things were different.

Mimi: I never knew that I could balance both. But I got the offers and made the most of it.

After all these years in the industry, how do you motivate yourself?

Mimi: The drive comes from within. I need to motivate myself.
Abir: I love my work... but at times I feel irritated. I don’t expect anyone to praise me or write good things about me. If somebody does, I get apprehensive and worry that he or she might ask for a favour since that person has written good things about me.

Why did you decide to do the film Alaap?

Abir: It is like a cool breeze. I can identify with the idea of romance.
Mimi: The film is made up of some lovely moments. It is a soft, sensible film.

Hair: Sarmistha
Make-up: Babusona
Styling: Sumit Sinha
Mimi’s outfit: 85 Landsdowne
Location: Novotel Kolkata