I’m often my toughest critic: Ssujata Mehta

Actress Ssujata Mehta who has been part of popular projects like Pratighaat, Yateem, Kanwarlal, Pratigyabadh, Rajlakshmi, and Tyagi, says though she watches herself on-screen, it’s more from a critic's point of view than that of an audience.   

She said, “I’m constantly growing with each experience life throws at me—the life's roller coaster makes me stronger, more intelligent, and more analytical. When I watch myself on screen, I’m often my toughest critic. There are times when I watch my films and think I could have done more.”   

“I use those moments to improve and correct my mistakes the next time I get a similar role. Today, with the advantage of technology, I can see myself on the monitor, check my makeup and hair, and make adjustments as needed,” she added.   She also confessed that while she is not obsessed with checking TRPs, box office numbers, and her social media follower counts and views regularly, she checks them sometimes. She added, “It boosts my confidence and helps me understand where I stand.”   

Over the years, Ssujata‘s take on how to improve as an actor has changed, and she now believes in understanding the depth of a character. “Earlier, I focused primarily on my own character and its details, but now I’ve reached a point where I want to understand the entire script. This allows me to form a connection with the other characters and bring out the best in my performance,” she said.  “When I work in drama, I remember the full script, including the nuances of different characters, and I understand the beginning, middle, and end of the story. I’ve also become a major contributor to other areas of the project,” she ended.