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I got in Shayan and Pia's way, says Raima Sen
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, June 12 (IANS) Though they played their real-life roles of life partners in Onirban's "My Brother Nikhil", Shayan Munshi and Pia Rai Chaudhury do not feature as husband and wife in Anjan Dutta's English language film "Bong Connection" because of Raima Sen.

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"I got in the way," said Raima, who shuttles between Hindi and Bengali cinema. 

"'Bong Connection' is my first English-language film and I star opposite Shayan. Originally, my sister Riya was supposed to do the other role but she stepped out. Never mind, we'll have lots of other opportunities to come together."

Recently Raima flew to Hyderabad to join the unit of Mani Shankar's "Mukhbir". She has been asked to join the cast at the last minute for a guest appearance. 

"I agreed immediately because of my co-star Sammir Dattani. We started our careers together seven years ago in a Rajshri Productions' music video called 'Valentine's Day'. People still remember us together in this video. We made a very nice couple. 'Mukhbir' gives me a chance to be a part of a very unusual film."

Raima is supposed to shoot a song with Sammir, which Saroj Khan will choreograph. 

"I have done a Telugu film in Hyderabad. So, I am looking forward to going there," said Raima, who is busy finishing dubbing for "Bong Connection" and Rituparno Ghosh's "Khela". 

"I play a small role of a dress designer in 'Khela'. I can never say no to Ritu-da. He acted out each and every nuance for me in 'Chokher Bali'. That's why I came across so effectively. Now he has offered me another role, though not a central one." 

Why does this pretty actress do so many supporting parts? 

"I can't help it. After 'Parineeta', I was offered a small role by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Pradeep Sarkar again in 'Eklavya'. I couldn't say no. Besides, I enjoy working with Vidya Balan. She's one of a few true friends in Bollywood."

While the pairing with Sammir in "Mukhbir" seems eminently conventional some of Raima's other co-stars may seem a little incongruous. 

In Reema Kagti's "Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd", which she has just shot in Goa, Raima does a young-woman-older-man act with Kay Kay Menon. 

"Yes, we seem quite like the odd couple. But I really enjoyed working with Kay Kay and with Rahul Bose in my new Bengali film Tony Raichowdhury's 'Anuranon'."

Raima's "Bong Connection" might slow down now because now she wants to invest more time in Bollywood. 

"I plan to stay put in Mumbai and pursue my Hindi career. Otherwise producers get confused."