Joyita Chatterjee: If not acting, I would have been in the corporate world

Class of 2020 actress  who played Sandesh Pari in Baalveer) Joyita Chatterjee who did MBA, and says that she would have chosen a corporate job had she not been an actress.

“I did MBA because I had an interest in it, so if not acting I would have been in the corporate world. But as far as backup plans are concerned, sooner or later everyone does have a backup plan, especially in today’s time because the situations have become so much more dynamic. I think it’s really appreciable if anybody keeps a backup plan for themselves and keeps exploring,” she said.

Joyita was born and brought up in the steel city of Durgapur in West Bengal. “My father was a government officer and he also owned a business. My mother is a homemaker. I have a brother who is two years younger than me,” she said.

She recalls her childhood to be quite joyful and full of beautiful memories. “Being a kid I really liked to visit my grandparents’ home and I along with my brother and other cousins used to have so much fun, especially during the Durga pujo, the greatest festival of Bengal. I used to wait eagerly for my summer and puja vacations because it was the time where there was no stress of studies and we could do whatever fun activities we wanted to,” she said.

She was very close to her grandfather and his demise was a big shock for her when she was a kid. “I still remember he used to take me out everyday with him whenever I visited his place and ended up giving surprises. Last year I lost my father. So that grief is still there. Now my mom is staying with my brother in Kolkata,” she said.

Fondness for acting has always been there in her. “Actually my mother… even today fondly remembers some of the things that I used to do as a child. I did what a lot of girls do — take my mother’s lipsticks, powder, bindis, and dupattas, pretend to wear a sari, and behave like a diva. Even I used to take part in dramas in school. So over time, my inclination towards acting went on increasing day-by-day and when I was about to finish my graduation I had made up my mind that I would become an actor,” she said.

Since she was born and brought up in an upper-middle-class family, the concern was about getting her post-graduation complete and having a 9 to 5 job. “But I had different plans in my mind. When I spoke to them about pursuing acting as my profession they didn’t welcome my decision wholeheartedly. But I must say my mother has been my biggest support since then. It’s because of her efforts that I am here today,” she said.

When she was in college, that was the first time she faced the camera. “I used to work as a newsreader for a local TV channel on a part-time basis. I must say it helped me a lot to nurture and improve my skills,” she said.

When she is not shooting, she loves to be herself at the comfort of her home. “I just spend my day sleeping, watching TV shows, having some good food and also doing my workouts. Sometimes I catch up with my friends,” she said.

When it comes to fitness, she has to be very particular about her workout and diet. “I am a foodie, but I don’t get away with whatever I eat. My fitness regime includes a considerable amount of cardio and weight training. I also go for dance classes which help to keep my mental health and physical health well. When it comes to diet, I start my day with lukewarm water and then a cup of black coffee. Though I have a sweet tooth, I try to avoid refined sugar and any kind of processed and refined food. In short, I believe in eating and staying healthy,” she said.

According to her, loving herself and being herself is her idea of perfect happiness. “Life is very dynamic. It always doesn’t go the way we plan. So I think acceptance is a key to keeping yourself contained and calm. But one more thing I would like to add here is that spending quality time with your loved ones and doing what you love can really complete the definition of perfect happiness,” she said.

As for inspirations in life, she shared, “My greatest inspirations are Ratan Tata and APJ Abdul Kalam because what I learned from them is their positive approach and thought process towards every aspect of life which really keep me motivated, determined and encouraged. To be a good human being should be the mantra of anyone’s life. Only then we can make the world a better place to live in.”