In an industry not too well known for gratitude Konkona Sen Sharma surprised her director Vishal Bhardwaj by calling him to thank him for her National Award in Omkara. Says Konkona, "I can't tell you how tough speaking that dialectical Hindi was for me and how much Vishal helped me get over my inhibitions. My Hindi is okay. But that UP dialect in Omkara was murder and that too in sync sound. After I heard about my National Award I reminded Vishal of how much I struggled with my dialogues. Vishal remembered how terrified I'd get every time he changed a word in my dialogue. He had to finally remind me to stop constantly worrying about my accent because it was getting in the way of my performance. I'm appreciated in my performances because my characters are so well written. Even Indu in Omkara was so well-conceived. Of course it needed a competent actress." So is Omkara a turning point in Konkona's career? "Films that become successful turn into turning points. I'd like every film of mine to be a turning point. I thought I was good in Laaga Chunari Mein Daag and Aaja Nachle. But the films didn't work. Aaja Nachle was my most relaxed and fun film." She doesn't quite revel in the image of the National- Award winner. "Filmmakers have this preconceived notion of me as this serious cerebral person. But once they meet me that image evaporates. Because I'm so nervous myself when I meet them." Konkona is very excited about Anil Senior's Dil Kabbadi. "To begin with Rahul was supposed to be opposite Soha and Irrfan opposite me. Then Rahul and Irrfan swapped roles. To be honest it's inspired by one of Woody Allen's comedies. It's about two couples played by Rahul Bose and me, and Irrfan and Soha and their ups and downs. All done tongue-in-cheek. I loved doing it. I like doing roles that explore contemporary relationships." ... read more »