Suchitra Bhattacharjee

Suchitra Bhattacharjee (2-L, front row) seen with the cast and crew of Kachher Manush and ntv officials

Said Suchitra, "As no Bangladeshi TV channel is available in India, I have only watched the 100th episode of the serial. It is difficult to comment on any mega serial on the basis of one episode. The characters of every novel are based on the author's imagination. I greatly enjoyed the performance of Subarna Mustafa, the actress who plays the central role of Rani in the mega serial.

"My novel Kachher Manush is based on the socio-cultural aspect of contemporary Kolkata life. Barring a few minor changes, such as the change of name from Indrani to Rani, the serial is authentic. However, I would like to view the mega serial from the beginning."

Suchitra's novel Kachher Manush was launched at the Kolkata Book Fair in 1998. Earlier an Indian magazine, Desh Patrika published it as a series during 1995-97. And the novel has been warmly received by the Bangla- speaking people of India and Bangladesh.

Suchitra said, "I am really happy at the response. The readers relate well with the characters of the novel. Many people have told me that they can identify with the characters of the novel such as Indrani, Titir and others. I have had a similar experience in Bangladesh."

Does she write only on the women's issues? Suchitra replies, "No, I write for everyone. I portray the contemporary middle class society: their problems, the deterioration of values, change of family structure and other realities of the society."

Suchitra believes that Bangla language and literature are going through an upheaval, as people prefer to speak English. In the process, Bangla has been sidelined amongst the elite in Kolkata. However, Suchitra is optimistic. She said, "I hope for the better days of Bangla literature, which is now facing temporary problems because of the onslaught of the media."

So far, Suchitra has written 25 novels.