Konkona Sen Sharma had already showcased a chameleon-like versatility in Hindi and Bengali cinema. But with A Death In The Gunj and a segment in Lust Stories 2, the actress has also proven her dramatic capabilities as a director. If you are a new recruit to the Konkona Sen Sharma fandom, we have got the ultimate list for you. Have a glance at her best screen credits along with a handy guide on where to stream them.
Where can you stream Konkona Sen Sharma’s best movies?
Most of Konkona Sen Sharma’s older movies can be streamed on Prime Video and Netflix while Hotstar and Jio Cinema might also offer some streaming options. You can watch most of her post-pandemic movies on Netflix while her first OTT series (Mumbai Diaries) and directorial debut (A Death in the Gunj) can be streamed on Prime Video. Her sophomore series Killer Soup is a Netflix original.
Konkona Sen Sharma’s Career At A Glance
She made her debut in Bengali cinema with the film Ek Je Aachhe Kanya in 2000, a tough role for a debutant considering Sharma was playing a mentally fragile teenager unhealthily obsessed with her neighbour.
In Hindi cinema, Sharma took on supporting parts in movies like the Othello adaptation Omkara and the dark comedy 7 Khoon Maaf, she gained initial acclaim for the social satire Page 3. In Madhur Bhandarkar’s cult favourite, she portrayed a journalist navigating the murky world of tabloid reporting with conviction.
Her 2000s highlights also included the romantic anthology Life In A Metro, starring alongside the late Irrfan Khan as a heartwarming but realistic couple. Apart from mainstream performances like that of a struggling actress in Zoya Akhtar’s directorial debut Luck By Chance and that of an enigmatic witch in the neo-Gothic drama Ek Thi Daayan, Sharma has been a mainstay in niche Hindi and Bengali productions.
A prime case in point is Mr and Mrs Iyer, where she essayed the role of a Tamil Brahmin woman stranded amidst communal tensions, delivering a performance that was both poignant and powerful. Returning to her Bengali roots, her collaboration with acclaimed directors like Rituparno Ghosh and Aparna Sen further solidified her reputation as one of the finest actors of her generation.
Whether it was portraying the complexities of relationships in films like the coming-of-age drama Wake Up Sid or delving into the dark recesses of the human psyche in the fact-based crime drama Talvar, Sharma’s performances continue to be venerated among audiences craving a contemporary new wave in Bollywood.
While she has not exactly been a crowd-puller for any big-budget solo ventures, the actress has effortlessly transitioned to the OTT space getting top billing in Prime Video’s medical drama series Mumbai Diaries, Neeraj Ghaywan’s segment in the Netflix anthology Ajeeb Daastans, and playing one of the titular characters in the Netflix feminist drama Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitaare.
Her performance in Ajeeb Daastans drew immense critical acclaim with praise directed to Ghawyan’s sensitive direction and Sharma’s portrayal of a Dalit androgynous woman in love with her co-worker. The raves just proved that Sharma still has what it takes to challenge herself and explore new narratives.
Why is A Death in the Gunj Konkona Sen Sharma’s best movie to watch?
Konkona Sen Sharma’s English-Hindi-Bengali directorial debut was an atmospheric period thriller, bolstered by a talented ensemble including Vikrant Massey, Kalki Koelchin, Jim Sarbh and many more. Exploring a dysfunctional family but devoid of any forced melodrama, A Death In The Gunj allows its actress-turned-director to tap into human emotions while also building enough suspense for the titular murder. Her short on sexual voyeurism in Lust Stories 2 is also impressive but it’s her first stint as director that takes the top spot.
