What Challenges Did Pallavi Joshi Face in Playing a 100-Year-Old Character in ‘The Bengal Files’?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Pallavi Joshi takes on a groundbreaking role as a 100-year-old character in 'The Bengal Files.'
- The film explores the socio-political landscape of Bengal.
- Joshi's transformation involved significant physical and emotional preparation.
- She is the first female actor in Indian cinema to portray a centenarian.
- The film is a part of Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri's Files trilogy.
Mumbai, June 16 (NationPress) Renowned actress Pallavi Joshi is preparing to embrace one of the most demanding roles of her career in “The Bengal Files.”
In a remarkable transformation, she embodies Ma Bharati, a 100-year-old representation of the nation's essence. Discussing the emotional and physical rigors of this role, Joshi revealed the extensive preparation, prosthetics, and dedication that were essential in portraying this character authentically.
Reflecting on her journey, the actress-turned-producer stated, “This was one of the biggest challenges. It’s difficult to look so old. Most prosthetics made me look scary. And that was our biggest challenge. The idea was for her to look innocent and lovable. Ma Bharati needed to be warm and approachable.”
Joshi continued, “My only reference was my dadi. I remember her as very old yet very sweet. We worked on the look for almost 6 months. I even gave up all skin care during this period to make my skin appear dry. Every day I focused on developing Ma Bharati’s character, her dementia, until it became second nature. Our technical team also contributed immensely. The final result is visible to all.”
“The Bengal Files,” directed by Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, is produced by Abhishek Agarwal and Joshi herself. In this upcoming film, Pallavi takes on the role of Ma Bharati, a symbol of warmth, purity, and the nation's unwavering spirit. In a historic moment for Indian cinema, the National Award-winning actress will be the first female actor to portray a 100-year-old character on screen.
“The Bengal Files” explores the socio-political turmoil of Bengal and features notable actors such as Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, and Darshan Kumar. The film, presented by Tej Narayan Agarwal & I Am Buddha, is part of Vivek’s Files trilogy that includes ‘The Kashmir Files’ and ‘The Tashkent Files.’ The movie is scheduled to be released in theaters on September 5, 2025.