“I Would Love to Work in an Odia Film If the Role Challenges Me”: Payel Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar: Bengali actress Payel Mukherjee is no stranger to exploring different languages, characters and cinematic worlds. Known for her work in Bengali and South Indian films and web series such as Noishabdo, Agantuk, Kalimpong Krimes and Srirangapuram, the actress is now looking forward to adding Odia cinema to her journey—if the right script and an interesting character come her way.

Mukherjee was recently in Bhubaneswar for the pre-event press meet of The Global Crown 2026, a beauty pageant organised by Anonymous Films. The event, which is being held across the country with participation from Odisha, carries the theme “Celebrating Beauty with Purpose” and is also dedicated to supporting autistic and Down syndrome children.

The contestants will undergo workshops from October 1 to 6, following which the semi-final will be held before the grand finale on October 8 in Kolkata.

For Mukherjee, however, her visit to Odisha also brought back thoughts of an opportunity that she had once missed—the chance to work in an Odia film.

She revealed that she had earlier been offered an Odia project but could not commit to it because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The experience, however, did not diminish her interest in Odia cinema. In fact, she feels that the cultural similarities between Bengal and Odisha make the prospect of working here particularly appealing.

“Bengal and Odisha have many cultural similarities, so I feel the transition would be very natural,” Mukherjee said, adding that she would be happy to explore a different cinematic milieu and discover new stories through Odia cinema.

What she is looking for is not merely an opportunity to enter another film industry, but a role that challenges her as an actor. Mukherjee says she has always been drawn towards characters that are different from her own personality.

“I love to do challenging roles and always try to do something new. I like characters that are different from my own character,” she said.

Her interest in Odia cinema is also strengthened by conversations with Bengali actress Rachna Banerjee, who has worked extensively in the Odia film industry. Mukherjee said she has spoken with Banerjee about her experiences and would be happy to take up an Odia project if a suitable opportunity comes along.

For an actor who has already worked across language industries, stepping into another linguistic space may not be an entirely unfamiliar experience. Mukherjee acknowledges that language can be a barrier, but believes that an actor has to make the effort to overcome it.

According to her, understanding the language is an essential part of understanding the character. She has therefore worked on multiple languages during her career and says she can now understand several languages, an experience that has helped her adapt to different working environments.

Her stint in the South Indian film industry, in particular, has given her an appreciation for its professional and disciplined approach to filmmaking. Mukherjee describes the South Indian industry as highly dedicated and professional, while acknowledging that every film industry has its own working culture.

Her career, meanwhile, extends beyond acting. Mukherjee is also the founder of Anonymous Films, the production company behind The Global Crown 2026. Her entry into production was partly driven by her desire to give stories a chance when they struggled to find producers.

There have been occasions, she said, when she came across scripts she genuinely liked but could not find producers willing to back them. Rather than allowing those stories to remain unrealised, she decided to explore production herself.

That entrepreneurial side of Mukherjee extends beyond cinema. She is also the founder of Medizon, a healthcare brand that draws on her academic background and her Master’s degree in Pharmacy.

The combination of acting, production and entrepreneurship reflects an attempt to keep multiple creative and professional interests alive. Yet cinema remains at the heart of her ambitions, particularly when it comes to finding characters that allow her to step outside her comfort zone.

The Global Crown 2026, meanwhile, represents another dimension of her work. Mukherjee says the pageant is not intended to focus solely on conventional notions of beauty. Its central theme—“Celebrating Beauty with Purpose”—is aimed at giving the platform a social dimension, with support for autistic and Down syndrome children forming an important part of the initiative.

The pageant will bring together contestants from different parts of the country, including Odisha. With workshops scheduled from October 1 to 6, followed by the semi-final and the grand finale in Kolkata on October 8, the event is designed as a larger platform rather than simply a competition.

For Mukherjee, it is another way of combining her interests in entertainment, entrepreneurship and social initiatives.
And as she looks ahead, Odisha remains firmly on her cinematic radar. The actress may have missed her first opportunity to work in an Odia film, but she appears ready for another chance. This time, she is waiting for a script that offers something more than a change of language—a character that can challenge her, surprise her and allow her to explore a new side of herself.