Moushumi Chatterjee: ‘Who said I’m retiring?’

Moushumi Chatterjee

After hearing rumours about her retirement, veteran actor Moushumi Chatterjee has set the record straight. Dismissing speculation about stepping away from films or suffering from health issues, she clarified that she remains active and is open to taking on the right projects.

Deepika Padukone with Moushumi in ‘Piku'

"Who said I am retiring? Not only am I well enough to work, but I am selective about it," Chatterjee told mid-day, and added that her daughter Meghaa now helps coordinate her professional commitments. She shared, "If acting work comes my way that meets my price, terms and conditions, is interesting, and of substantial standards, I am very much open to it. Please do not take anyone else's word."

Yash Daasgupta with Moushumi Chatterjee in ‘Aarii'

Chatterjee reveals that her reduced workload in recent years was largely due to personal loss following the death of her elder daughter Payal in 2019. "I wasn't shooting regularly as I was grieving my elder daughter, Payal's death. That is why there was a long gap for a few years. Though I have never been very busy, now I am very choosy about what I do. When Payal passed away I couldn't work for three to four years."

Ranveer Singh and Aditya Dhar. Pics/Special Arrangement, Yogen Shah

The actor shared that she has never had to actively seek work, and remains grateful for the opportunities that have come her way. "I have never visited anybody's office and asked for work. God has been not just kind but partial to me," she said. However, she admitted that she misses seeing herself on screen and is eager to return for a role that offers substance. "I cannot do just any role like a mother saying, ‘Beta aa jao, khana khaa lo'. I would love to do a role which has at least one or two good scenes and suits my age."

Open to experimentation, Chatterjee now wants to try and play a challenging grey character. "It would be a challenge for me, but there has to be some substance in the role. Actors are like water - they will take any shape you put them in," she reflected.

Recent Appearances

Despite rumours of retirement, Moushumi Chatterjee has continued to take on select projects. She was recently seen in the Bengali film ‘Aarii' (2025) starring Yash Dasgupta, featured in a television commercial with Sonakshi Sinha, and has made guest appearances on shows including ‘Indian Idol', ‘Super Dancer', ‘India's Best Dancer', and ‘The Kapil Sharma Show'. Her last Hindi film release was ‘Piku' (2015).