Tillotama Shome criticizes 'misrepresentation' of Northeast in shows and films
What's the story
Actor Tillotama Shome recently opened up about her role as an Assamese police officer in the hit web series Paatal Lok 2.
Speaking to India Today, she shared how she was worried about getting her character, Meghna Barua, who speaks Nagamese, right.
"It was a source of worry for me that when you are a Bengali, you are representing a character who is Assamese," she said.
Authentic portrayal
Shome strived for authentic representation of Northeast
Shome was cognizant of the backlash for not being Assamese herself.
She said, "You don't want to hurt anybody's feelings because your representation made them feel like, 'Gosh! Couldn't they get an Assamese person to play this character?"
"So that the representation feels humane, and it feels humane enough for people to overlook the mistakes I may have made."
Representation
'The Northeast is, anyway, misrepresented, under-represented'
Shome further stressed on her commitment to accurate representation.
She said, "That was very important for me because the Northeast is, anyway, misrepresented, under-represented."
"I didn't want to add that fuel to the fire by also not catching the language properly. So it was very important for me."
The second season of Paatal Lok also stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Ishwak Singh, among others. It is streaming on Prime Video now.
New venture
Shome's upcoming project, 'Baksho Bondi'
Apart from Paatal Lok 2, Shome is also a part of an upcoming film called Baksho Bondi.
Directed by first-time filmmakers Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi, the movie stars Chandan Bisht, Sayan Karmakar, and Suman Saha in pivotal roles.
The film is a co-production between India, France, the US, and Spain with Vikramaditya Motwane as one of the executive producers.