Juggling between multiple projects, all different from one another, actress Sayani Gupta doesn’t have a breather. Post her successful web series- Four More Shots Please! season one; she has already started shooting for the second season. A film with Ayushmann Khuranna, Article 15 is also about to release in June 2019, where Sayani plays a pivotal role. Also, she is busy shooting Inside Edge season three. In a quick chat with TMM, the Jolly LLB actress talks about her days at FTII, taking risk of playing a lesbian character and sharing the screen with Shah Rukh Khan. Excerpts from the interview:
How similar and different you are from your character Damini Roy in ‘Four More Shots Please!’?
When I take up a project, I feel there is no point playing a character which is like you. I always pick parts which are very different from me. There are certain things that the character Damini has and I also believe in. She is very political, principle-oriented, has a set of ideologies that she likes to live by, I am also like the same. I have a political view; I also feel that an individual’s world view is very important. Damini is also outspoken, unafraid, and takes a stand, same with me, irrespective of who the person in front of me. I have always lived my life like that. I am not afraid, to be honest. I have been honest and that’s what has worked for me so far.
You have studied acting at FTII. How has the institution polished you as an actor?
I went there because it isn’t just an acting school, it is a film school. I was always interested in understanding in what goes behind the camera. I think to learn that, FTII is the best place to go. The ethos of the place, what it stands for and the philosophy makes it an ideal space for artists to grow, Sadly, the brilliant art school is not the same anymore, courtesy: – the government. During my days at FTII, I used to assist a lot, so I understood the operations of the camera and every other department. I am pretty good at that, I want to make a film someday. I have made films while being in FTII. I think it has made me a cinema literate person and not just an actor. We also had amazing teachers like Naseeruddin Shah. All the exposure made me understand the complexity of the form, that it’s not just an art form that is possible by one person, it’s a collaborative art form and the respect that you require for each other to be able to collaborate, the discipline and seriousness with which you should treat every single person on set, be it your light boy or spot boy, or smallest to biggest people. That I think FTII really teaches you; so, I owe pretty much everything to FTII.
Sayani Gupta, What does it take for you to agree to a project?
The director, the script, and the story, all this together pushed me to say a ‘Yes’. Moving further, the character needs to be challenging and should have enough of complexities and meat. I strictly say no to stuff that I have done before or characters that are like (real) me. I am always attracted to subjects that I haven’t done before.
Sayani Gupta, Tell us more about your role in Ayushmann Khurrana starrer ‘Article 15’?
The film is set in Uttar Pradesh. I am playing the character of a village woman, who is going through a lot of drama in her life and there is something terrible that happens and that’s what the film is all about. It’s an investigative drama and her life is directly affected during the investigation. Speaking local dialect was required for the character and director Anubhav Sinha who hails from UP, came as a rescue.
You are also doing a film ‘Where winds blow’; this is a single character film. What was the toughest challenge to play such role?
Oh god! How do you know about that? To be precise, it is the toughest character I have played till date. It is just one actor film; I think we would require completely another interview to talk about that project.
Sayani Gupta, You think OTT platform has filled the dearth of good roles for women which were missing in the films and shows?
I believe it’s much better now. When we talk about box office, there’s a popular belief for some reason that hero-centric films work better. Bollywood is a hero driven industry. It’s like a hero and villain comes first and everyone else is secondary. I feel no one is secondary, everybody is important for a project. All this reflects the way we look at women in general. I think the hero doesn’t have to be a man. When it comes to actresses, they are looked in a certain way, behave in a certain way. So, all these perceptions are changing. With the OTT platform, there is no pressure of the box office. Stories are working, even in the Hindi film industry everyone is realising good stories work and bad stories doesn’t. The OTT platform has given a lot more scope to negotiate with new stories and dwell into different kinds of genres which are genuinely interesting. I think it’s a good time for actors, writers and directors; we still have a long way to go.
Sayani Gupta, You played a gay character in ‘Margarita with straw’. Do you think after decriminalization of Section 377, people’s perception towards the LGBTQ community has changed?
The decriminalization had to happen and I am glad it happened. Now, it’s not a crime, but as far as people’s perception is concerned it will take time. In many places, not only villages but also the urban quarters consider as a taboo. This legalisation was needed to bring more change and I am optimistic about it. At individual level, parents and kids need to bring this topic as a matter of discussion to discard the disbeliefs and that is how the change will take place.
How does it feel to share screen with Shah Rukh Khan?
His humility, warmth and care for co-actors is unbelievable. He can make you feel good about life. If you are around him, you will feel warm. It was a fun experience but at the same time, his energies and the way he operates his professional life came as a learning lesson. One thing that I really liked about him is his faith in hard work and determination.
The post Different Shades of – Sayani Gupta appeared first on TMM.