Cook or crook?

The film,written by Deepa Mehta along with her brother Dilip,is a satirical comedy about an unsuspecting couple in the

Canadian Diplomatic Service posted to New Delhi who inherit a household of Indian servants headed by a South Indian cook,Stella. Played by Biswas,Stella is as good with her culinary skills as she is at pilfering items to make an extra buck. But her plans are threatened when Michael,her employer and a chef,turns out to be the one who will be staying home while his wife Maya pursues a diplomatic career.

“Stella dreams of being rich some day. So when no one’s watching,she indulges herself in her employers’ wines or other such items. She is charming and wily at the same time,” the actress explains her character. When Biswas was first offered the role and told that she would need to put on oodles of weight for it,she laughed it off but she knew it was a character that she should not miss playing. “The response to the film has been fabulous. We have already made waves at various festivals including the Toronto Film Festival,” she remarks.

However,Biswas is saddened by the fact that her co-star Lisa Ray has been battling cancer. “We are both private people so we never interacted much but she would often fall ill. Initially,I believe she was told that it was due to inadequate diet but she later discovered her illness. I still refrain from asking her anything upfront but I hope she gets well soon.”

The 44-year-old will next be seen in Red Alert where she plays a Naxalite. While some say that her character will be close to that in Bandit Queen,Biswas denies it. “It’s a commercial film and I play a strong,educated woman who has joined the Naxalites to fight the system,” she explains. And though the film also sheds light on what often leads people to partake in the movement,Biswas is not partial to the cause. “Violence is no different from terrorism. Whatever be the cause,taking lives has never been a solution.” However,she feels the film,being produced by Suneil Shetty, will help people look at the issue with a different view.

Not a great cook in real life,the Assamese actress confesses that she had hardly touched a pan till she moved to Mumbai from Delhi. “Now that I choose my work more carefully and am not shooting all year round,I do cook for family and friends sometimes. But unlike Stella,I’m not brilliant or authentic at the art.”