Want to be part of issue based films: Tannishtha Chatterjee

The actress has starred in a number of international projects such as "Brick Lane", "Shadows of Time" besides regional and Hindi films "Swaraj" and "Road, Movie".

"Our country is buzzing with issues. There are so many things happening around us. There are interesting stories, there are malpractices. These should be addressed in films because they are the biggest platform we have.

"The last one and a half years, there have been many such films which are not only entertaining but also have a strong message. I would like to be part of such films," Tannishtha told PTI.

The actress will be next seen in a small role in Nila Madhab Panda's "Jalpari: The Dessert Mermaid", which is an adventure thriller based on the issue of female foeticide.

The film also stars Parvin Dabas, child artistes Lehar Khan, Krishang Trivedi and Harsh Mayar.

"The film is the first adult children's film. It is an adventure thriller based on the issue of female foeticide but through the eyes of a 11-year-old. It is a family film. It is a film about the girl child," Tannishtha said.

"Madhab is a friend and when he offered me the role, I just could not say no because I wanted to be part of such a film. As an actor I needed to support the film. I have a guest appearance in it. The film attacks the double standards of the society. We should stand up for the girl child. We should make such films, which have a family film format but deal with a serious issue," she added.

Tannishtha will also be seen in British director Joe Wright's "Anna Karenina" in the film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's novel of the same name in the company of stars like Keira Knightley and Jude Law.

"The film has so many Oscar and BAFTA winners in the unit and it's a huge learning experience for me. When you get to work with such people, you grow so much. In the film I play Masa, a Romanian gypsy. It is a role close to my heart," Tannishtha said.