Tillotama Shome on Representing the Northeast in Paatal Lok 2: ‘It Was a Responsibility I Took Seriously’

The acclaimed actor discusses playing an Assamese cop, the challenges of portraying a Nagamese-speaking character, and the underrepresentation of the Northeast in Indian media.

February 2, 2025: Actor Tillotama Shome recently shared insights about her portrayal of an Assamese police officer, Meghna Barua, in the second season of the hit web series Paatal Lok 2. In an interview with India Today, she discussed the importance of doing justice to her role as a Nagamese-speaking Assamese woman and her efforts to ensure authentic representation.

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Tillotama on Representation Challenges

Reflecting on her character, Tillotama expressed her concerns about accurately depicting a cultural identity different from her own. “It was a source of worry for me,” she admitted. “When you’re a Bengali representing an Assamese character who speaks Nagamese, you don’t want people to feel, ‘Gosh! Couldn’t they get an Assamese actor for this role?’ That pushed me to work harder.”

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The actor emphasized the larger issue of underrepresentation. “The Northeast is often misrepresented or underrepresented in Indian media. I didn’t want to add fuel to the fire by mishandling the language or the cultural nuances,” she said. “It was vital for me that the portrayal felt humane enough to overlook any mistakes I might have made.”

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About Paatal Lok 2

The second season of Paatal Lok, directed by Avinash Arun Dhaware and created by Sudip Sharma, features an ensemble cast including Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Gul Panag, and Jahnu Barua. Produced by Clean Slate Filmz in association with Eunoia Films, the eight-episode series is streaming on Prime Video.

Upcoming Projects

Apart from Paatal Lok 2, Tillotama will be seen in Baksho Bondi (Shadowbox in English), a co-production involving India, France, the US, and Spain. Directed by first-time filmmakers Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi, the film explores compelling narratives and features Chandan Bisht, Sayan Karmakar, and Suman Saha in key roles. Executive producers include Vikramaditya Motwane, Jim Sarbh, and Nikkhil Advani.

With her upcoming roles and dedication to authentic representation, Tillotama continues to challenge boundaries and redefine narratives in Indian cinema.

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Tillotama Shome, Paatal Lok 2, Assamese Representation, Nagamese Language, Northeast India, Prime Video, Baksho Bondi, Sudip Sharma, Jaideep Ahlawat, Bollywood Web Series.