EXCLUSIVE | Konkona Sensharma on 'Mumbai Diaries 26/11': 'Hope my character is able to move on from her traumatic past'

Konkona Sensharma and Mohit Raina’s Mumbai Diaries 26/11 Season Two is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video IN. If season one was about the cowardly attack on the city on the fateful night of November 26, 2008, season two is about the floods that nearly crippled the same city. And this time, it also explores the inner demons of the characters and how the aftermath has an impact on each of them.

In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Sharma and Raina opened up on playing their characters again, dealing with a tragedy and the impact it has on human consciousness, and what season three could look like if the show is renewed.

Mumbai has braved floods, the 1993 blasts, the 2008 attacks and yet, it continues to retain its spirited attitude. What keeps the spirit of the city alive?

Mohit: Every city is about the people that keep the spirit alive. Considering Mumbai is the financial capital of the country, you don’t have the option of getting up in the morning and not do something. The base of the city is such that people come with different dreams and aspirations. We tend to come out of everything, I have personally seen things like that since childhood. At times, we underestimate ourselves but we have the strength and power to overcome anything.

Konkona: That’s the nature of human beings also. We have repeatedly seen this happen to Mumbai but people get up and carry on with their lives. There are so many stories of human relationships, people helping each other that are so inspiring and remarkable.

Konkona, there was a scene in the show where your husband Dr Sourav said you could’ve got him arrested and you replied you wish you had. But you didn’t. You tolerated his abusive behavior. When you read the script, did you ask Nikkhil Advani (the director) why your character stayed silent all along.

If you look at the studies of domestic abuse and domestic violence, these are the overarching patterns that many women are not able to leave because they are under some kind of control, be it financial, emotional, or manipulative. And then there are instances when children are involved or when one doesn’t have the support of the family or the society. There are no problems with women, the problem is with abusers, it’s a criminal activity.

Mohit, when you come back to the hospital where you belong, you look distraught and distracted. How would you describe Dr. Kaushik Oberoi in season two?

I thought that I should act as if it’s Mohit’s first day on the sets, you are confused and looking for directions from the director; how he can hold my hand and take me through. The writing made it very easy for me. There’s a gap of 8-9 months when he stays at home and is not working, and that’s the time when he’s facing all these issues of self-doubt, he’s not sure if he’s equipped to be a doctor again. We all go through those doubts at certain points in life, and these were the exact layers that helped me get into the skin of the character. I also realized that the timing is also very important, to be at the right place at the right time. All these elements helped in shaping up Kaushik Oberoi.

The show opens up eight months after the blasts and how everyone is still suffering. What is more difficult to bear, the tragedy or the aftermath of the tragedy?

Konkona: Dealing with the tragedy is a different problem and the aftermath is a different problem. The tragedy is a finite thing and the aftermath is all about dealing.

Mohit: The duration of the tragedy can be limited but the aftermath can be really long.

Mohit, which was the most difficult or challenging scene for you this season.

There’s a scene in the 7th or 8th episode where he has to go through a tragic loss and human tragedy. It was very tricky for me as I had just got into that space very new in my life. I try to act and try to play that scenario in my head which I didn’t know how to do earlier so that was very tricky.

If there’s a season three, what is it about your respective characters that you’d like to be explored.

Konkona: We first have to see what fresh crisis happens in season three. I hope my character Chitra is able to move on from the traumatic past of hers and there will be some resolution. I’m sure she’ll be tested in new ways but I also wish she’s able to grow further in life.

Mohit: I want to see Kaushik smiling more and be a little more happy. I want to see him in a happy space.

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