Here's a glimpse of the talented twosome:
Aparna Sen
The renowned actress and director made her directorial debut in 1981 with the English film, 36 Chowringhee Lane. She also wrote the script for the film, which won the Grand Prix at the Manila International Film Festival and the National Award for Best Direction in India. This landmark film was followed by other directorial works such as Paroma (1984), Sati (1989), Yugant (1995), Paromitar Ek Din (2000) and Mr and Mrs Iyer in 2002. For this film, Aparna bagged the title of Best Director for National Film Awards, 2003.

Aparna has also carved a firm place as an actress in the film world. Shabana, Paromitar Ek Din, Paroma, Unishe April and Teen Kanya count among the films where she has starred.

Explaining the logic of Mr and Mrs Iyer, Aparna says, "It is not only about violence and fundamentalism. That is just a strain running through the film. It is actually about a journey of two people...It is about what happens when two people are thrown together in unforeseen circumstances, amidst something as destructive as a riot."

Among her notable films, says Aparna, are Yugant and Paroma. The former deals with subjects such as ambition, ecology, politics and relationships. "It was about how success makes us compromise," she asserts. Paroma, with its theme of an extra-marital relationship, made more than just a ripple. To quote Aparna, "It shocked the Bengali society...It instigated a debate, made a statement."

Konkona Sen
"I don't feel pressurised about comparisons that may arise between our respective performances. The expectations affect those around me. But I am not pressured into living up to them. I am Aparna Sen's daughter. I accept it completely. The fact that we get along really well is an added incentive," maintains Konkona.

According to Konkona, it was tough going playing the role of a Tamilian Brahmin housewife. Taking her mother's advice, she went to Chennai for two weeks to research for the role. "The most difficult part of playing Mrs Iyer was the baggage," reminisces Konkona, saying she had to manage a sari, a shawl and a baby.

Among the memorable compliments that have come her way, she cherishes one from Shabana Azmi. Apparently after seeing the film, the latter reminded Konkona of her prediction made many years ago that she would become an actress in her own right.

Konkona embarked on her acting career playing the role of a little boy in Dinen Gupta's film, Indira. She was all of three-and-a-half years at the time. When she was a little older, her mother took her in her telefilm, Picnic. Later, Konkona starred in a Bangla film, titled Ek Je Chhilo Kanya. This film, directed by Subrata Sen, was a resounding success.

Konkona has strong likes and dislikes. As she says, "I am working because films that suit my sensibilities are being made more than ever. I don't think I will be comfortable doing the song-and-dance routine, which works so well in India and is now being accepted even abroad. I don't think I will be very good at that."

Konkona is also writing a biography of her mother. "Writing runs in my blood. My grandfather, Chidanand Dasgupta and my dad, Mukul Sharma, are both well-known writers," she explains.

Compiled by Cultural Correspondent