One of the things that drew Niharika Lyra Dutt to her character in Paatal Lok was the fact that Sara Matthews has a spine. The actress, who made her debut in the world of acting with the film The Bizarre Murder of Mr Tusker in 2012, plays a headstrong journalist in Amazon Prime Video’s Paatal Lok. The show is a must-watch not only for its gripping storyline but also for some noteworthy performances by its talented cast. Niharika, who has been a part of the web series Die Trying, Pushpavalli and the movie Music Teacher, was also noticed for her performance as a fiery journalist who speaks her mind. She talks to TMM about her experience of being part of this exciting show…
Paatal Lok is being considered one of the best Indian OTT shows. Did you, when shooting for it, think it would become so big?
Not in the least! But I knew it’s an extraordinary script, and that if we managed to stay true to it, it would turn out to be quite special. And well, exciting.
Tell us about the casting. How did the show happen for you?
I got an audition call from Nikita Grover, from Casting Bay who gave me the brief and sent me the scenes I needed to perform. Since I wasn’t in Bombay, I had to shoot a self-test. My father helped me shoot it, he played Sanjeev Mehra and fed me the lines and we sent it across. A week later, when I was in Goa for work, I got a call from Nikita saying I got through the first round, and that there’s one more scene they’d like me to do. Some of the friends I was travelling with agreed to help me out, we shot it and mailed it to her. She called back two days later, ecstatic for me, telling me I was locked. As fortune would have it, I was right outside Joseph’s bar when the call came, and promptly proceeded to treat myself to a Gin and Tonic. Hahhaha!
Your character Sara is ambitious and a go-getter. Was it those qualities of the character that attracted you towards it?
Not so much the ambition, but the fact that she had a spine, and stood up for what she believed in. Her ability to speak truth to power was refreshing and made me curious and excited to see how she got there on her journey.
You had to shoot some intimate scenes with a senior actor like Neeraj Kabi. Was it a daunting task? How was it working with an actor of his calibre?
It was awkward to think of it, but when we were on set, we treated it as just another scene that needed to be shot. I love watching good performances, so I was just extremely happy that I’ll be able to work with someone whose craft I respect. In the scene, both of us tried our best to see each other as the characters and well, play the moment. So, it was as much fun as I had imagined it would be. He was extremely giving as a co-actor.
You have been a part of the web shows earlier. Do you enjoy doing online content?
I love being a part of good stories and collaborating with others the most. Theatre, Film, or OTT, the medium doesn’t really matter.
Niharika Lyra Dutt has a background in theatre. How much do you think that has honed your skills and added to your craft of acting? How much has that helped you in front of the camera?
Theatre is the only thing that has allowed me to grow as an actor. To keep going back to the shows and characters you know, and to keep reinventing them, is what I learn from the most. That immediate relationship between the audience and the actor on stage is the most honest relationship there can be. You need to work towards getting them to believe you until it’s a smooth ride, where they’ll follow you wherever you take them. But it’s hard work till there and requires you to always be on. You can’t slack. I think that aspect of staying supple and open to all stimuli, where your senses are tingling, really helps in front of the camera, where even a small lie is caught out easily.
As an actor who has done theatre, web and film, what is the kind of career path you wish to take from here on? What projects can we look forward to from you in the future?
I’ve never defined anything because life is full of surprises and I don’t know where it’ll take me next. I will continue doing theatre, and that’s somewhere you will always find me. I’m currently working on two new plays. Both of which are in the R&D phase. Baaki jaise jaise cheezein hongi, aapko pata chalta jayega.
Niharika Lyra Dutt for TMM
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