Konkona Sen Sharma on the method behind her acting and her preference for unconventional roles

Her latest outing as a lesbian Dalit factory worker in short film Geeli Pucchi has won critical acclaim, and an award

Last December, two-time National Film Award winner Konkona Sen Sharma won Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Asian Academy Creative Award, for her portrayal of a Dalit factory worker in the short film Geeli Pucchi  from the Netflix anthology Ajeeb Daastaans . Through a host of remarkable characters, Geeli Pucchi , directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and co-starring Aditi Rao Hydari, describes the painful ways in which caste, class and gender hinder a gay woman’s journey to love, respect, and livelihood.

A couple of weeks later, over phone, I spoke to Konkona and we discussed her role in Geeli Pucchi , her acting, how she chooses her films, and her reflections on freedom of expression. Edited excerpts:

What does the latest award for your performance in  Geeli Pucchi mean to you?

I was so thrilled when I heard about it. It was on my birthday, so it felt like a little gift from the universe. But when I do the work, I am not thinking about winning an award. In fact, I am not even thinking about how much people are going to like the film. Those are completely out of my control. So, if I have liked it and found a reason to do it — whether it’s because of the script, or the part, or the director — that is fulfilling to me. In that sense, the award and the appreciation are really a bonus, an icing on the cake.

Sometimes, one makes films for very little money or despite knowing that the film has limited commercial prospect, because you feel it is important to do it. It’s great when you work by your convictions and then, once the film is appreciated, it gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Can you talk about Bharti Mandal? What interested you in the role?

I wanted to work with Neeraj Ghaywan and I knew this before I read the script and even before he got in touch with me. I had watched  Masaan, which I enjoyed very much, and  Juice, his short film with Shefali Shah, who I adore.