Exclusive! Surangana Bandyopadhyay: If I don’t criticize the patriarchal gaze, I’ll betray myself and my gender

Surangana Bandyopadhyay’s latest social media post on April 29 went viral. It was regarding a review of her latest work Adv Achinta Aich published on a news portal. The actress plays the character of Malini – wife of the victim and prime suspect – in the series that features Ritwick Chakraborty, Saswata Chatterjee, and others.

Also read: Adv. Achinta Aich review: Ritwick Chakraborty and Saswata Chatterjee’s courtroom drama is entertaining and a one-time watch 

Surangana took to her social media to criticise the ‘patriarchy’ in the view that comments on her physical appearance. It points out that when Surangana played Titir in Anindya Chattopadhyay’s Open Tee Bioscope in 2015, she was ‘skinny’. However, after years, the actress turns out to be on the ‘healthier’ side. In an interview with OTTplay, Surangana said, “The physical appearance of this character has nothing to do with the show. Anyone could have played the character. It is perhaps the acting talent that matters the most in portraying such characters. This review says a lot about how we have normalised the patriarchal gaze. I personally feel that an actress’s (or actor’s) evaluation should be done only through their acting calibre. We don’t live in an ideal world and we are judged by our looks. However, when it is an art review, we can expect it to be a little more sensitive.”

Surangana further suggested that she had no problem with the fact that she was skinny. “ However, I find it out of context in this review. The review says a lot of good things about the show and my acting. I accept that wholeheartedly. But that doesn’t mean I would not raise my voice on something that I find problematic. If I condone this I would betray myself and the gender I represent,” said the actress.

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However, Surangana also doesn’t want to encourage trolls. “The general trend now is everyone will start bashing the review, the review on social media. I never wanted that and I don’t want to encourage trolls. The purpose will be defeated. I aimed to point out the problem. That’s all,” said the actress.