I am a better version of myself, thanks to Mumbai, says Debchandrima

Exploring opportunities in Bollywood seemed like a logical step to me after working here extensively. Mumbai offers a bigger stage with diverse opportunities, and allows me to challenge myself as an actor. On a trip back to her hometown, actress Debchandrima Singha Roy talks about shifting base to Mumbai, adapting to a new work culture, challenges in the new city and more
‘I’d like to work in tollywood, but I am not desperate for it’
After creating quite a stir on Bengali television and OTT, actress Debchandrima Singha Roy has moved to Mumbai to pursue her Bollywood dreams. The actress, who recently completed her stint as the lead in Hindi TV series Suhagan Chudail, was recently in town to spend some time with her loved ones. She also took time out to pose for CT, and speak to us about her life in the new city, work and more.
‘It has always been my dream to work in Bollywood’
Bollywood is a dream to anyone who grows up aspiring to be an actress, and it wasn’t any less for Debchandrima. However, adapting to new the work culture and understanding the audience in a new city was her biggest challenge. She says, “There’s fierce competition in Mumbai, and in order to fit in, one must continuously improve and educate themselves. My journey here hasn’t entirely been smooth, but I am enjoying it because I am becoming a better version of myself.”

‘Adrija (Roy) is like my sister, no point comparing us’
Debchandrima considers herself to be a picky individual, so when she refers to someone as a friend, she truly means it. Given her close friend and fellow actress Adrija (Roy) too has shifted base to Mumbai recently, there have been instances of comparison. Breaking popular notions, Debchandrima says, “I have known Adrija since 2016, she is like my sister. We are not insecure about each other. Adrija was already my senior when I started working in Tollywood, and I have always learnt from her experiences,”she says, adding that Adrija is doing a fab job in Mumbai.
‘I am happily single’
The Parineeta actress might be a Gen Z kid, but she is old-fashioned at heart. “I have no interest in dating trends and situationships. I am looking for someone who shares the same values and believes in true commitment,” reveals Debchandrima, who is happily single and enjoying every bit of it.
‘I try not to take criticism to my heart’
Whenever in Kolkata, Debchandrima has noticed a few people commenting it’s because she isn’t getting much work in Mumbai. “I try to not take it personally as I firmly believe in the quote, ‘Don’t announce it – do what you have to do, let the results shock them’. I believe I am not supposed to explain to anyone why I keep coming back here. My career kicked off from Kolkata and I am deeply connected to the Bengali film industry,” says the actress, adding, “By God’s grace; I am living a healthy and happy life with my furry family here in Mumbai.”
Mumbai reminds me of my student days, when I had to prove myself every day. It’s an expensive city, and I am not solely dependent on my acting career. I have a Plan B in mind : Debchandrima
‘Kolkata will always be on my priority list’
The actress who got a lot of positive reviews for her performance in Saanjher Bati, a romance-drama TV series would love to work in Tollywood again, but she is not desperate. “My last two films, Boomerang (with Jeet) and Kishmish (with Dev) garnered enough love from the audience, and so did my portrayal of Lalita in the OTT adaptation of Parineeta. “I feel if I am worth it, directors and producers will cast me. I am choosy when it comes to work and I analyse characters deeply to understand the nuances of each, before saying yes to it,” says Debchandrima.
Pics: Tathagata Ghosh; hair and makeup: Rohini Aich; styled by and shoot coordination: Rudra Saha