Exclusive! Ushasi Ray: 2023 taught me to be kinder to myself. I was very harsh

2023 has been a fabulous year for Ushasi Ray. No less than five web series – Gobhir Joler Maach, Gora 2, Kumudini Bhaban, Petni, and last but not least, Chhotolok – feature her in key roles. She enjoyed her share of visibility all year round. As she gears up to party and ring in the new year, Ushasi looks back at 2023 with OTTplay. 

“This year was fabulous, superb, wonderful. honestly,” says an excited Ushasi. “I feel I finally found my path to progress. I have always been very sure of what I wanted and I have been pursuing my career accordingly. After this year, I have felt that perhaps I am on the right track to make some progress in my acting career,” she says, further adding, “Like all the actors and actresses I wanted to be interviewed and I always wanted to be interviewed for my work. Not for my travel photos, doing spa, or personal relationships. Like everybody else, I wanted people to know me through my work. This year gave me that. Most of the time, I was asked questions about my work.”

Also read: Chhotolok review: Daminee Basu shines bright in Indranil Roy Chowdhury’s unputdownable cop drama 

Is there anyone she would love to thank before the year ends? “Bennydi (Daminee Benny Basu, Ushasi’s teacher, and co-worker) and Kobida (Indranil Roy Chowdhury, director of Chhotolok). I have already thanked them and I thank them again. My performance in Chhotolok gave me the feedback I always dreamt of getting. Many seniors from our industry said encouraging words. Besides, a lot of common people loved my work there. Unexpected people from unexpected locations called me up and congratulated me. In fact, after Bokulkotha (her TV serial), it was Chhotolok that earned me so much appreciation. I went to inaugurate Jagaddhatri Puja in the outskirts and women came to me and congratulated me. After Chhotolok, I realised that Bengali OTT has a huge reach,” says the actress.

What is her New Year’s resolution? Ushasi declares, “Oh no I don’t believe in resolution. I start doing what I feel like doing instantly rather than waiting for a year to end.”

Also read: Kumudini Bhavan-actress Ushasi Ray: Without television work, I get less number of designer handbags, but I am creatively satisfied | Exclusive 

Any regret in 2023? “I don’t regret, either,” pat comes the reply. After a pause, Ushasi says, “I was very harsh on myself for a very long time. Between 2021 and 2023, I did not give myself the attention I deserved. I changed that. Now on, I decided to be nicer and kinder to myself. This is not a resolution but a ‘must do’ on my list.”

What is her plan for New Year’s Eve? “Family time,” says Ushasi. My father, mother, and I are in my Jethu’s farmhouse. We plan to ring in the New Year there with close ones,” she adds.