Riya Sengupta on her illustrious journey in showbiz : Nothing taught me better than my failures and rejections

From creative director to programming head....

Riya Sengupta on her illustrious journey in showbiz : Nothing taught me better than my failures and rejections

* Reporter 
 
     Like many others, Riya Sengupta did not have it easier in showbiz. It took her time to become creative director of shows such Balika Vadhu, Kuch Rang Pyar Ke Aise Bhi, Woh Apna Sa, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, Sadda Haq, Nima, among others, before becoming the head of programming in Sun TV Bangla. She talks about her journey so far.
 
     “I always had an inclination towards extracurricular activities since the early days of my school life and that’s how it all began, I believe. I started working at the age of 16 and since then my study and work has happened hand-in-hand,” she says.

     Her journey in the entertainment industry has been an organic process. “I never knew exactly what I wanted to do in the film industry and had no clue about its functioning. But I was extremely curious about it. Long story short, I got an opportunity to work as an assistant director for a film while I was in high school and decided to pursue that. So, that’s how I started my journey and I don’t have any intention to stop anytime soon. I had my share of ups and downs, but I feel when you love what you do, struggle feels just part and parcel of the process,” she adds.
Her first project as an assistant director was the hit Bengali film Shotru, directed by Raj Chakraborty. The Bengali film industry is culturally rich and varied, technically sound, they nurture emotions and viewpoints quite well. In Mumbai, after working for a few films, documentaries and TVCs, her first project as an independent creative was Balika Vadhu. And challenges she faced then that still exist are — “Sexism and ageism”.
 
     “Every bit of my journey has been special. I have faced some hardship but that doesn’t make my journey any less special. I own my story and stand in it,” she shares. She was associated with Balaji Telefilms and worked on Naagin. Riya also did Dhadkan Zindagii Kii and Chikoo Ki Mummy Durr Kei. “Naagin is one of the highest rated shows so far on television and it has its own genre which is vastly different from all the other, while Dhadkan… was one of the most realistic and logically full proof TV shows that has ever been made on Indian Tv. Chikoo, on the other hand, talks about love, longing, complexity of emotions and interpersonal relationships. So all these shows helped me learn new things,” she adds.

    Languages are no more a barrier these days with subtitles and dubbing being a huge help. Riya agrees. “No matter how different we individually are, I believe at our core, the feeling emotions are somewhere similar. What subtitles and dubbing do is that it opens us up to different, new cultures while still being able to relate to some of it. It makes stories global,” she explains.
So who has been your mentor in the industry? “To be honest, I have had many teachers who helped and supported me to learn my craft. But nothing has taught me better than the failures, rejections that I have faced,” she ends.