I can't ask Bratya for a role: Poulami Basu

Actor Poulami Basu, wife of Bratya Basu, shares how Goutam Deb���������s barbs at her husband had made her shed tears at home
Gautam Deb had claimed that he didn���������t even know your husband when he was first asked about Bratya Basu as a contestant. Now that your husband has won, what do you have to say?
I don���������t wish to comment on Gautam Deb at all. Firstly, he is elder to me.He must be even older than my father. I have been brought up during his reign. He has been in politics for far too long. So, I can���������t comment on his political stance and his ways either. He has said whatever he felt was right. Of course, I must admit that I did feel bad when he said whatever he did. I would silently weep at home when I heard him abuse my husband.
How did Bratya react when you shed tears?
Bratya, obviously, is far more seasoned. But, I needed time to come to terms with so much of mudslinging. He would often console me at home and say that my tears would not go unnoticed. The other day, a channel ran a story for the whole day saying that Bratya���������s college had stopped paying him salary. It���������s so wrong to spread all this news. As a wife, I didn���������t want anyone to say anything that would compromise my family���������s self-respect. I might weep at home in solitude. But, what���������s the point is defaming my husband this way and sending out a wrong signal to the whole of West Bengal? Another channel ran a story claiming that while he had refused to take honorarium, in reality he had actually taken money for his services. Now, all these are false allegations. Rather, Bratya had always said that there is no shame in taking money in lieu for a service.
Did you expect your husband to be such a giant killer?
I had thought that it would be a tough fight. But, frankly speaking, I never thought that he would win by such a huge margin. I am obviously on top of the world now.
What are your expectations from him as an MLA?
I am not a political person. Hence, I might not be able to give answers that are on political lines. I want Bratya to work for improvement. I find that jealousy is a huge menace in our State. Jealousy usually stems when people are not in a good state of mind. That has to change. That can only happen if there is development. Waterlogging, condition of roads, canals ��������� all these have to be looked into. However, I presume these are issues that have to be dealt with by the Corporation.
With Bratya having his hands in so many pies, how much family time can he spare?
Raate ghumonor shomoy pashe dekhte pai. He comes home for lunch and dinner. Honestly, I don���������t have much expectations from him as a husband. At least, not in terms of devoting time to me. I know of people who are in other professions who also can���������t give a lot of time to their family. So, I am not going to crib.
You are an actor too. Did Bratya inspire you to become an actor or were you always interested in stage?
I was Bratya���������s student in City College. We met in 2000. That���������s when we started a relationship. In 2001, we got married. I was interested in acting but it���������s a fact that I am a very shy person. When I started off, I was cast as a substitute actor in ���������Ihai Sottyo���������. Then, I played Sheila in ���������Ruddhasangeet���������. I have not been in the limelight because of the fact that I never really got the centre stage.
Bratya has cast you as Satyabati in his adaptation of Byomkesh...
Yes. That���������s a major character.
Haven���������t you been told why Bratya has ignored casting you more frequently?
Yes, people have told him that. I too have heard this comment. But, fact is, I can���������t ask Bratya for a role.
How ambitious are you as an actor?
I like acting. Period. I am no longer a teenager and don���������t have the glamour to carry off roles of leading ladies in movies. I want to continue acting for the love of it.
How romantic is Bratya as a husband? What���������s his most romantic gesture?
He isn���������t romantic but he is very imaginative. Bratya���������s idea of an ideal wife is someone who will wear a sari and cook delicious food for him.
So, do you do both?
Yes. I have been brought up in a way where I was never allowed to wear a pair of jeans. Bratya doesn���������t like me wearing jeans and I don���������t think I can carry it either. I am happy wearing saris and salwar kameez.
What���������s the gift that you want to give your hubby for this win?
No material gifts. We just returned from a short trip to Sikkim. I want to give Bratya a healthy environment at home so that he can do good work outside.
Hypothetically speaking, which ministry would you want him to head?
I don���������t think it���������s fair for me to make any predictions. I suppose, since he is involved in all things cultural, I would want him to be associated with a department which will help him do the kind of work that he likes doing.