Ananya Dutta: “In the web series Lights Camera Murder, a murder mystery,  I play the role of a stone faced no nonsense stylist cum designer”

In this freewheeling, frank and fearless interview on e-mail, single and sexy actor ANANYA DUTTA tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that she is of the opinion that if sex was meant only for procreation and there was no pleasure in it, it would end up only being a chore and people wouldn’t want it so much.

Are you a model, actor or a self confessed fashion icon? 

I think I am a model and actor both, though last two years I have been doing more acting work in theatre and the digital space. I really do not know about the fashion icon title. I love fashion but whether I am an icon is for others to decide.

In this Covid era do you have plans to go digital with any show of yours?  

Two years ago I did a cookery show for Chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s production house called Ananya’s Passion which was the first thing I did in digital space. And now I have shot for a couple of web series one of which was recently released on Ullu 2.0. The other projects are in post production. So soon you will be seeing a lot of me in the digital space.

How happy are you with the way your career has shaped up in films and web series or TV shows till date? 

Films are yet to happen which is actually my fault because I have just started looking at acting jobs. And after having done 130 odd ads I was actually concentrating earlier more on only modeling. However, the response from directors and casting agents has been really very good and hence I am optimistic. You can actually say I have just started my acting stint.

What is the role that you are playing in the web series Lights, Camera, Murder in Ullu.2?  

The web series Lights, Camera, Murder is a murder mystery which that happens amidst a shooting set up. I play the role of Dimple, the stylist and designer. It is that of a very underplayed, stone faced, no nonsense girl.

What is the name of the series? Who are your co-actors in it? 

The cast of the intriguing web series Lights, Camera,  Murder includes Mita Vashist, Mona Ambegaonkar,  Diandra Soares, Yuvraj Parashar etc.

Who is the director of the series? How did you bag the role? 

It has been written and directed by Kapil Kaustubh Sharma. I have worked with him before and he just offered this role to me. Luckily for me most directors I have worked with have always given me the opportunity to work with them again. Like this time.

Do you feel that you have not been given your due by people in the film industry yet? 

As I said I have just started my acting stint in films and the web space.  So it’s too early to say that.

Would you say that sex is the trade mark of love? 

Sex is certainly part of a complete and fulfilling relationship.

What according to you is being in sublime love? 

I think it is when you are with a person not because you can live with him/her but because you cannot live without him or her. In fact that is the kind of love I believe in.

What do you have to state about the syndrome of the casting couch in the film industry? 

Surprisingly in my experience it has become less prevalent in the last few years, because young and more professional people are entering the business and forget about being suggestive. They do not even want to meet actresses unless there is an actual project that they think she fits in.

Do you feel you can play the character of a lesbian in a web series if you are offered one? 

I am game and if it’s a good role, why not? Since I am a heterosexual I think it would be a challenge to play that role.

Are you bold enough to shed your clothes to be part of a sensational web series since you have a wow sexy figure to display? 

It all depends on to what extent and whether it’s a requirement for the script. However, the one thing that I will definitely not be comfortable is being topless on the set.

Are you ready to appear in a two piece bikini and do lip to lip passionate smooches on the screen? 

These are common occurrences in projects today. As long as it suits the role I don’t really mind.

If you are marooned on an Island, with whom you would love to spend the night? 

Unromantic though it may sound, I’d love to spend the night on a marooned island with my two dogs.

Are you single or married? If still unmarried, do you plan to mingle and discard your singlehood tag? 

I am single. And I plan to stay so. Marriage isn’t something I am planning to commit to yet.

Is virginity a great virtue or an overrated issue today? 

I’d say that virginity is a totally overrated issue in today’s time and age.

How much importance do you, as a single woman, give to sex?  

I think it’s an integral part of a healthy life. Nowadays relationships have many more definitions and dimensions to them besides just being single and married.

Is sex for pleasure or for procreation, according to you? 

I would imagine sex only for procreation would be a chore. If there was no pleasure in it, people wouldn’t want it so much.

What do you prefer- protected sex or unprotected sensual and raw sex? 

Protection is a must in today’s society and changing rules of sexual behavior.

Whether you are a single woman or a married woman, how useful is a condom in today’s changing times? 

A contraceptive gives you the right to choose whether you are sigle, married, or you are prepared to be a parent. So yes, it’s a must.

Who are your favorite actors in Bollywood? Which is one actor who you hate from the bottom of your heart in Bollywood and why? 

I don’t hate any actor because I don’t personally feel so strongly about anyone. My favorites are Amitabh Bacchan for his long innings and variety of performances, Deepika Padukone for her grace and Shah Rukh Khan for his spontaneity.

Who are your favorite actors in Hollywood? 

Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

In today’s scenario, how open are you to act in TV serials or web series? 

I am not too keen on TV as it becomes a long time commitment to a single project. But web series is an altogether different media. It has opened up a chance to play very different and challenging roles for actors. So I am totally open to that.