Debuting in Hindi TV felt like a miracle: Shritama Mitra

Shritama Mitra , currently starring in the Hindi television show Advocate Anjali Awasthi , is a well-known face in the Bengali TV industry. Having previously appeared in popular shows like Pandab Goenda and Mon Dite Chai , she shares that while she was satisfied with her work in regional television, she was “waiting for a miracle and a hatke opportunity.” She says, “With this show, I made my entry into the Hindi television industry, and it truly felt like a miracle. Every day, I’m learning something new while working with the cast and crew. The past few months have completely transformed my life.”
She adds, “We mostly shoot in Kolkata, so I’m familiar with some of the technicians here. However, there is a noticeable difference in the work culture between the industries. The Bengali industry primarily consists of local cast and crew, but here, I get to work with people from various cultures and languages. It’s wonderful to see everyone come together to make this show a success.”


'I am almost fluent in Hindi, but am working on improving further'

Transitioning from regional cinema to mainstream can be challenging. When asked if it a smooth switch for Shritama, she shared, “When I found out I was going to be part of a Hindi show, I was quite nervous. It’s a huge platform, and my mother tongue is Bengali, so I had to learn Hindi in a way that sounded natural. As the central character, I have a lot of dialogues — some of them quite lengthy — so I had to put in a lot of preparation. The scriptwriter gave me Hindi tongue-twisters to practice, and I watched a lot of Hindi movies and videos. I was even asked to speak only in Hindi at home with my family.” She adds, “I’m fluent now, but I’m still working on improving because I want to keep working in this industry.”


I want to play characters that are inspiring

Shritama was part of the Bengali detective show Pandab Goenda, where she portrayed a powerful character. In her current show, she also plays a strong female lead. Are these the kinds of roles that attract her the most? The actress says, “I want to do more such roles. I’ve always been inspired by strong female characters in real life. In today’s world, it’s important to depict women who can stand up for themselves or fight against injustice. If I can portray such characters on television and inspire viewers, I’ll feel like I’ve truly achieved something in life.”

I don’t plan to focus on how long a show will last, as that shouldn’t be my driving force. As artistes, we can’t determine the fate of any project we’re working on, so I just want to give my hundred per cent to whatever I do
- On shows wrapping up quickly


So does that mean she will not work in regional cinema anymore? She says, "I haven’t left the Bengali industry, as it’s my home. It gave me everything that has brought me to where I am today. If I get any good opportunities there, I would surely take them up."

Talking about her future projects, Shritama says, "I want to work in other mediums as well, regardless of the language they are in. I believe in YOLO (You Only Live Once), so I will seize any opportunity I get to explore and learn."