This week, we chatted with Tillotama about her career so far and her award-winning role as Ratna in the movie Is Love Enough - Sir.

What inspired you to become an actor?

Piyush Mishra's one man show at Lady Shri Ram College was a revelation. His ability to mutate and transform from one character to another blew the lid off my imagination. I just wanted to express myself with such empathy. I had also encountered a Buddhist life philosophy then which celebrated the immense potential within each individual. This philosophy slowly opened up my stammering, introverted self and the desire to express through the arts became non-negotiable, a challenge to the lesser self!

What has been the most challenging role you've done so far? 

Kanwar in Anup Singh's film Qissa. I play a character who is, from birth, raised by her father as a boy/man/the son. The annihilation of Kanwar's identity as a woman in order to gain her father's love, till date remains not just the most challenging but also the most rewarding experience of my career.

What about playing the role of Ratna in your recent film, 'Is Love Enough Sir?' most surprised you? 

Her ability to dream big despite her reality. Something about her,  reminded me of the time, many years ago when I came into  that room for my Inlaks scholarship final round of  interview. I looked at around and I knew the only thing I had going for myself was my ability to not give up on myself. I did not have to convince the Inlaks board to consider me worthy of the Scholarship but convince myself that I would make myself worthy no matter how many times I was refused the Scholarship. 

Ratna's stubborn desire to have a dream so far away from her reality, surprised me as it reminded me of my own stubborn desire to study in an expensive university like NYU, despite having no financial resources, not even for a flight to America.

What exciting projects do you have lined up? 

I am really looking forward to work with Anup Singh, Rima Das and Saumyananda Sahi and Tanushree Das. They are not just incredible story tellers but also extraordinary human beings.  Working with them feels like a warm hug whilst going through a steep learning curve.

What advice do you have to offer young aspirants of the film and theatre industry?

Find your voice and your pace. Timing is key, not just in performance but in life too. And each of us serve time differently. Each of us needs to figure our own pace.