The actor who is known for her power-packed performances is now ready to tread the uncharted territory of comedies with Mehta’s next Stella. “The film is not hilarious, but there are a lot of fun moments,” says Biswas. “I am playing the protagonist Stella who is a cook and loves to dream.” The film, which is being co-directed by Mehta’s brother Dilip, is currently being shot in Delhi and will be released in both Hindi and English. “The film may also be titled What’s Cooking Stella?” says the actor who is presently in the Capital.

The genre of comedy is of late minting money at the Indian box office, and Biswas has no qualms about being part of the bandwagon. “I don’t believe in creating a particular image for myself. I am an actor, so I should be comfortable in all sorts of roles,” she says. “Besides, the script is very interesting.”

In recent times, in an aberration of sorts, Biswas, who is more associated with meaningful movies, was seen acting in Sooraj Barjatya’s Vivah—a film that despite its regressive subject turned out to be 2006’s sleeper hit in India. “Production houses like the Barjatyas’ Rajshri Productions or Yash Raj Films have made immense contribution in the history of Hindi films. I love to be part of their projects,” says Biswas, who has acted in films like Ram Gopal Verma’s Company and Bhoot.

Biswas, who hails from Assam and flaunts a strong background in theatre, won the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2001. Though post Bandit Queen and Khamoshi, this 43-year-old actor was sought after for interesting roles, she somehow went unnoticed for few years in the interim till Mehta’s Water released in India last year after a prolonged delay. In the film, nominated for the Academy Awards as a Canadian entry in 2007, Biswas stood out with her portrayal of a fiery widow in 1900s’ Varanasi, when exploitation of young Hindu widows was rampant. “I remember Deepa calling me excitedly while she was still editing the film. She said she wanted to show my performance to the world. I received huge response for the film,” says Biswas. Despite her superb acting, the film’s lead cast, Lisa Ray and John Abraham, ended up with more mileage. “That doesn’t bother me. I never blow my own trumpet,” she says.

Thanks to Water, Biswas has found a strong foothold in the international circuit. “Later, I acted in a Canadian film called Amal, directed by NRI filmmaker Rishi Mehta. It was screened at many festivals and I found the audience responding warmly whenever I appeared on screen,” she says. “My agent is based in England currently. I keep on reading scripts.”

Back home, Biswas awaits the release of movies like N Chandra’s Breaking News, Prashant Bharadwaj’s Patang and Chandan Arora’s Striker.