Globe-trotter Elena Kazan extended her stay in India to try her luck in Bollywood. After a guest appearance in Agent Vinod, she is all geared up to play a lead in Prague. The actor spoke to Karan Bhardwaj
Born in Moscow, she shifted to Ukraine briefly, before moving to Germany. For higher education, she chose US’ liberal Art College where she studied Middle Eastern history. And when you ask about her exposure to Indian films, she names timeless classics like Pakeeza, Pyaasa, Chaudhvin Ka Chand. Meet 26-year-old Elena Kazan.
She is making her first major appearance in Bollywood with psychological thriller Prague, which is slated for release this Friday. She was first seen inAgent Vinod. “During my college days, I used to watch Indian films in library. I was always excited about Indian cinema. I used to learn Hindi with the help of subtitles,” said the girl who first came to India in 2009 to work with Indo-German Chambers of Commerce.
She stayed in Kolkata and also worked with an Australian NGO. “There was a shoot going on of some Australian film when my friend called me on the sets. It was my first introduction to the film and camera. After that, I got some roles in Bengali films,” she said. The actor is well-versed with Bengali, Russian, French, German, English, Spanish and Hindi. “I am a globe-trotter. I like meeting new people and exploring destinations. Who wants to stick at one place in today’s worldIJ You are not born to just belong to one particular place,” she said.
Made on a budget of Rs 3 crore, her first Hindi film is a psychological thriller set in Prague, a beautiful city with contrast shades of vibrancy and darkness. It was premiered at Osian’s Cinefan Film Festival last year. “Pragueis about a guy who has in a way, disturbed way of looking at the world. He is paranoid and is suffering from bipolar disorders. When we showed the film at Osian’s, we had a lovely interaction with the packed audience. Everybody appreciated it. A lady walked up to me and appreciated the way we have showed the psychological issues,” she told us.
Kazanis also doing John Day opposite Randeep Hooda. The film also stars Naseeruddin Shah. “It’s a revenge drama. I am playing Tabassum, an Iranian woman. It’s about realising the futility of revenge,” she informed. On her co-actors, she was amused how everybody would fall silent when Naseeruddin arrive on sets, “There’s a pin drop silence when he comes. I used to observe him a lot. He is a unique actor with expressive eyes,” she said. Kazan hopes to work with the likes of Anurag Kashyap, Shoojit Sircar. Her favourite contemporary actors are Manoj Bajpai, Irrfan Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. “I had come with the thought of doing commercial cinema. But over time, it has changed. Now, I want to be a part of good films with strong concepts,” she said.
Kazanis just back from a month-long trip to Pakistan. She wanted to familiarise herself with the cultural and political scenario of the place. “lahore is better than Delhi. In Delhi, you don’t feel safe. The atmosphere is not comfortable. Pakistani men are very friendly, well-mannered and respect women a lot,” said the actor.