Paoli Dam, who came to national prominence with the portrayal of bold and daring Kaavya Krishna in the 2012 film Hate Story, got her first break three years prior in the Bengali film Kaalbela. Directed by renowned filmmaker Goutam Ghose, Paoli played Madhabilata and received praise from critics. Twenty-five years later, Paoli is regarded as one of the best actresses to grace Bengali cinema.
Recently, the 43-year-old sat down with veteran journalist and film critic Shoma A Chatterji for an exclusive interview for Connected to India, wherein Paoli spoke about subjects like women’s empowerment, feminism and equality.
“I always wanted to talk about women through cinema, because that’s the only way I can talk,” the actress said. “Cinema is my art form. The way you (Shoma A Chatterji) talk about taboos of our society through your writing, through your journalism, similarly I can do through my art form. I always chose women’s empowerment contents. I want that kind of message to be conveyed to the audience,” Paoli said.
She said feminism can be subtle in the modern age. “You don’t need to be a flag holder or slogan raiser. When people talk about feminism, I think in today’s time, it can be subtle. It doesn’t need to be shouting and screaming at the top of your voice.”
About equality, Paoli said: “If you believe in equality, you’ll be dealing with things in equal spaces.”
The actor, who has worked in all three forms — television, films, web series, said she is selective about her scripts and advocated for fresh talents and new writers in the Bengali film industry.
Watch the full interview below.
