In an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, Plabita Borthakur opens up about her latest project, Pyaar Testing, where she plays the fiercely independent Amrita. She also shares behind-the-scenes moments with co-star Satyajit Sharma, hints at an upcoming comedy show and film, and reveals her dream role
Tejal Sinha
Plabita Borthakur is no stranger to unconventional roles. The Assam-born actress first caught Bollywood’s attention with her performance in PK but truly made waves with her fearless portrayal of Rehana Abidi in Lipstick Under My Burkha. Since then, she has built an impressive repertoire across films and web series, from Breathe: Into the Shadows to Bombay Begums. Now, she’s back with Pyaar Testing on Zee5, a unique romantic drama that goes beyond the usual love story, weaving in the complexities of family dynamics.
In an exclusive conversation with The Pioneer, she shares what drew her to Amrita, how she navigates generational conflicts in real life, and why she believes every relationship – romantic or familial – needs open-mindedness. She also gives a glimpse into her upcoming projects and reveals a rather unexpected dream role.
What attracted the PK fame to Pyaar Testing was her character, Amrita’s boldness and self-awareness.
“What I really liked about Amrita is that she speaks her mind,” she says. “She’s unapologetically honest about how she feels. She knows what she wants – what she likes, what she doesn’t like, what’s okay with her, what’s not. I like that about her.”
While Amrita’s worldview is distinctly modern, she relates to her character’s determination to challenge outdated ideas. “Coming from a small town and a traditional family, I understand her struggle. Amrita is not ready to blindly accept what the previous generation says is the ‘right’ way to live. And I resonate with that because I also believe that every generation needs to adapt. At the same time, the younger generation must also listen and learn from the older one. There needs to be a balance.”
A central theme of Pyaar Testing is the concept of a “trial relationship”- a couple living together before marriage to test their compatibility. Plabita believes this is a practical approach.
“I think anybody who’s looking at marriage, especially in an arranged setup, should consider living together first. It helps you see if the relationship is actually worth committing to.”
She acknowledges that traditional families might struggle with such an idea, but she believes that love and understanding can bridge the gap.
“We can’t expect traditional families to suddenly change everything they believe in. But if they love their children, they should at least try to understand why they think differently. It’s about communication – taking one step towards each other.”
As an actor and as an individual, she has experienced the push and pull between personal choice and societal expectations.
“I think everyone faces this dilemma. Every generation is different. Our parents had to convince their parents about things, and now we have to do the same with ours. You grow up with certain values, but as you experience life, you learn and unlearn. Some things that applied to previous generations may not apply to us. The challenge is explaining that without causing conflict.”
Her perspective on modern relationships is refreshingly open-minded.
“I don’t believe in trends when it comes to relationships. To each their own. If two consenting adults want to live together, great. If they don’t, that’s great too. Whatever works for them. No one else should have a say in it.”
Plabita shares a warm camaraderie with her Pyaar Testing co-star, Satyajit Sharma, with whom she has previously worked.
“Satyajit and I have already done another show together, where we played a couple. Even before that, we were friends – we used to meet at auditions. So, it was really nice working together again. We have great on-screen and off-screen chemistry.”
Laughing, she recalls how Satyajit’s high-energy personality made for entertaining moments on set.
“He cracks a lot of jokes and is always energetic, even in the mornings. I used to tell him not to bother me with so much energy so early in the day!”
Streaming platforms have been producing bold and unconventional content, and Pyaar Testing fits right into this trend. However, Plabita believes its uniqueness lies in how it balances romance and family dynamics.
“It’s not just about a couple in love – it’s also about their families. The show explores the relationship between two generations. Every character has an arc – there’s something happening with the parents, the grandparents. It’s about the amalgamation of two different mindsets coming together, and that’s what makes it special.”
Plabita has played an impressive variety of roles, but she’s eager to explore new territories.
“What excites me is playing something I haven’t played before. I’ve been fortunate to get diverse roles, but I want to keep challenging myself. One role I’d really love to play is a serial killer. I think I would be very good at it.”
She teases that she has an upcoming comedy show and a film in the pipeline, though she can’t reveal details just yet.
As our conversation wraps up, it’s clear that Plabita Borthakur is an artist who values growth, authenticity, and pushing boundaries-both on-screen and off. Whether it’s playing a fiercely independent woman, breaking societal norms, or even (hopefully) becoming a serial killer on screen, she is here to leave a lasting impact.
