In a revealing look back at her unconventional upbringing, acclaimed actor and filmmaker Konkona Sensharma has shared how her mother, the legendary Aparna Sen, deliberately shaped her early relationship with stories. Sen's method was specific and firm: she kept mainstream television, including the iconic serialized versions of Hindu epics, at bay to make room for literature and global films.
A Childhood Deliberately Sheltered from TV Epics
Recalling a past conversation with Film Companion, Konkona Sensharma disclosed that she was not permitted to watch the wildly popular television adaptations of Ramayan and Mahabharat during her childhood. Her mother had a clear rule: Konkona must read the original epics first before experiencing any televised interpretation. Aparna Sen, a Padma Shri awardee and a towering figure in Bengali and Hindi cinema, believed deeply that a child's first encounter with these monumental stories should spring from their own imagination, not from someone else's visual representation.
For Sen, this was more than a simple household guideline. It was a conscious act of protecting a young mind's inner world from being overrun and defined by ready-made imagery. This philosophy extended beyond just the epics, forming a core part of Sen's approach to parenting and her daughter's creative development.
World Cinema Replaced Mainstream Soaps and Blockbusters
The curated media diet continued with mainstream entertainment. Konkona admits she saw only a handful of popular Hindi films like 'Mr India' and 'Masoom'. Glossy American soap operas such as 'The Bold and the Beautiful' and 'Santa Barbara' were strictly off-limits. Instead, Aparna Sen actively introduced her daughter to the vast and varied landscape of world and regional cinema.
This exposure opened doors to unfamiliar narratives, diverse cultures, and unique cinematic forms, fundamentally shaping Konkona's artistic sensibilities. Reflecting on this, Konkona noted that her mother's overall conduct and upbringing style always afforded her a sense of personal space and agency, which proved invaluable in her own journey as an artist.
The Legacy of a Feminist Filmmaker and Mother
Aparna Sen's nearly 45-year career in cinema is marked by strong perspectives on feminism and gender equality, themes she has woven into her films and plays. Konkona often highlights that her mother's distinct worldview quietly guided her path both in front of and behind the camera.
Sen's illustrious career spans acting in Satyajit Ray's classics like 'Teen Kanya', 'Jana Aranya', and 'Pikoo', alongside roles in popular films such as 'Basanta Bilap' and 'Ghaath'. As a director, she has earned acclaim for works including 'Mr. and Mrs. Iyer', '15 Park Avenue', 'Goynar Baksho', and the more recent 'The Rapist'. Her parenting choices reflect the same thoughtful, principled approach that defines her filmmaking, prioritizing intellectual depth and independent thought over passive consumption.
