Media raised no question about Ray's selection of Madhabi in "Charulata". On the contrary, they spoke volumes about her portrayal in the film. But, for "Ghare Baire" Ray's selection of Swatilekha for the role Bimala has been questioned from several quarters. Of course, the two characters are outrightly different. But for the latter, there is always a feeling that something is missing in the character. Often learnedness characterises the personality of the character and affects the role.By Dipen Guha
If an actor presents himself or herself like a lump of soft soil, the director, like an efficient potter put him/her into the dice of his choice and shapens into the desired form. Madhabi Mukherjee is the class alluvium that could be moulded into the character so impeccabily. A" Charu " can not be made out of any Tina/Meena/Dika. There must be some sound logic as to why all these famous directors were unanimously convinced about their selections of Madhabi. The quality is her submissiveness.By Dipen Guha