From her debut in Shieladitya Moulik’s sleeper hit Sweater (2019) to acclaimed performances in Halahal (2020), Niharika (2022), Deep Fridge (2025), The Academy of Fine Arts (2025) and more, Anuradha Mukherjee has quietly carved a niche for herself in Bengali cinema.
'Acting wasn’t planned, it felt like destiny’
Speaking to News Ei Samay, Anuradha looks back at her roots with a smile and admits that acting is something she never even planned to do. “It’s been around 10 years in the industry. Initially, I didn’t plan to become an actor. It was kind of destiny. I was assisting someone, and from there, I realised that this is my passion too. That’s how it all began,” Anuradha revealed.
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Her early days were a mix of hustle and discovery. “Before Sweater, I was working in Mumbai, doing theatre, auditions, a few TV serials, and series. Bombay itself is a very busy city, and I was juggling everything. Here, when Sweater was released, I wasn’t sure whether I’d continue in Kolkata or return to Mumbai. After Guldasta and during COVID, I decided to stay back here.”
The Mumbai-Kolkata shift
Anuradha sees a clear difference between working in the two cities. “Mumbai is very competitive; you get selected if you fit the pin. In Kolkata, I’ve done a couple of feature films and got recognition from people here. It’s not necessarily easier, but being in my hometown helps me focus better.”
Asked about balancing projects, she adds, “I recently shot a Hindi series that will release this year, and I would love to explore Hindi projects. But I want to work more in Bengal because there are so many stories here, and it’s where I feel most connected.”
‘Being able to tell stories in mother tongue is deeply fulfilling’
For her, working in Bengali is more than just convenient; it’s deeply personal. “It’s my mother tongue, and being able to tell stories in it is very fulfilling. If you look at the South Indian film industry, actors are more comfortable exploring stories in their own language. Similarly, Bengal has so many incredible stories to tell, and I feel I would love to focus more on working here,” she explains.
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‘I want my characters to stay with the audience’
Certain characters leave a lasting impact. “Yes, Deepa from Niharika stayed with me. I felt a void when the shoot ended; it stayed with me for a long time,” she recalls. For Anuradha, the most important factors in choosing a role are the story and the character, though she welcomes working with newcomers who bring fresh energy. “I was also a newbie; somebody gave me the chance, too. Newcomers are very passionate, and they bring something new to the plate.”
Looking ahead, Anuradha says, “I don’t want to overdo it with five films a year. Maybe two films in a year, but I want the characters to stay with the audience like Deepa from Niharika or Ronja from Deep Fridge. Even if life moves fast and people forget, I want to create something that stays with them.”
