Talktime | KAlKI KOECHlIN
Hot on the heels of a National Award, Kalki Koechlin has given another great performance, this time alongside Naseeruddin Shah, in Waiting. She tells PRAKRITI ROY about the film, working with Shah, her upcoming projects and what feminism means to her
Any changes in your life after winning the National Award in terms of movie offers and selection of scriptsIJ
No, not at all. I’ve just won it, so it’s too early for any changes. I’m very happy that I received it but life continues. I’m always in search of good scripts. Doesn’t matter if it’s a big role or small, commercial film or independent. I don’t think I get an edge over others because of it. There are a lot of brilliant actors out there who have not won a National Award. How can you say that there is only one good actorIJ
All the commercial films you’ve been a part of were immensely successful. Any more you’re working on right nowIJ
After Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, I haven’t been offered any commercial script. I would love to do more commercial films. I’ve been lucky that I got great commercial directors like Zoya Akhtar and Ayan Mukherji, who write as well as direct. They have really wholesome characters, even the smaller ones.
How do you pick your filmsIJ
First, I read the script and think if I can pull off that particular role convincingly. Second, the bond with your director is very important. Being able to understand each other is prime.
How was your experience of filming with Naseeruddin ShahIJ
Absolutely great. This time around I was more prepared. Maybe I am a better actor now than when we shot That Girl In Yellow Boots. We got on really well and we’re friends now.
Did you prepare extra for working with himIJ
As an actor, you need to prepare for your films, no matter what. That’s basic for an actor. I don’t understand actors who are learning the lines on set just before the scene. I mean, just come prepared! And half of acting is reacting to your co-star. So having someone like Naseer makes your work easier.
What did you pick up from himIJ
I learnt a lot by observing him during this film. He really argues for the truth of the character and pays great attention to detail. If he feels there’s something a character wouldn’t or would do, he really fights for it. I am a director’s actor, so I follow blindly. But I think I need to start arguing now, too.
Can we expect to see the two of you together again any time soonIJ
We did discuss a lot of theatre. Naseer wants to direct me in theatre. But we don’t know when that will happen. Hopefully, soon.
What are your other upcoming filmsIJ
I just finished filming Konkana Sen’s directorial debut. It’s called A Death in the Ganj and I play a half-Bengali, half-French girl, Mimi. Konkana is a great director and she is very specific about what she wants and how the shots should look. I have also started a web series called Smoke. It’s set in Goa and it’s about the politics and land mafia there. I play a DJ.
You are very active on social media....
Social media is great. I find it very useful. The other day I read somewhere — Thanks to social media, anyone can be a journalist; unfortunately, through social media, anyone can be a journalist. It allows the freedom and let’s you say what you need to say. But a lot of people write bakwaas. So, you need to find a balance. It’s a great way to stay in touch with fans and promote my theatre and videos.
You have a very strong voice on feminism...
Most of the time, the meaning of feminism is misunderstood. My director Anu Menon and I were actually discussing making a video explaining what feminism is. I think everyone is a feminist. It basically means equality. If you’re not, you’re a bad person. If we lived in a matriarchal society, I would be a ‘meninist’, believing in equality.
Hope is what keeps the two central characters, Shiv and Tara, waiting. How does Tara see hopeIJ
It’s the beauty of the human spirit — even in the most hopeless situations, we find hope. It’s easy for people to get in a wallowing, sad zone. Maybe, if Tara was waiting alone, she would have wallowed. But meeting a stranger in the same pain as her creates an awkward, strange bond between them. There is light, laughter and hope that comes out of it.
What keeps you hopeful in your own lifeIJ
Knowing that some of my films will live on long after I’m gone. Knowing that our kids are smarter than us! Seeing the younger generations makes me hopeful. My eight-year-old brother comes from school and shows me how he will save the world and clean up the system. We forget these things as we grow older. The renewal of hope comes from the younger generation.