Playing the role of a sexually liberated single mother in the web series ‘Four More Shots Please!’ has garnered a lot of positive response for actress Kirti Kulhari. After this show, the ‘URI: The Surgical Strike’ actress will be seen in a multi-starrer Bollywood film ‘Mission Mangal’ along with Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, and Sharman Joshi among others. In a candid and exclusive conversation with TMM, the ‘Pink’ actress talked about her roles, preparations and the piece of advice she tries to follow in ways she can. Excerpts:
Congratulations for the best actress Filmfare Award for your debut short film Maya! How was the experience?
Thank you so much! Earlier I was apprehensive of doing short films, I feel that it is tough to tell a story within a short time. When I read the script, I found it had a lot of scope. It was something very genuine and honest. When I spoke to Vikas Chandra, the director of the film, I liked his genuineness. Thankfully I and Vikas were on the same page, we really discussed the shit out of the script (laughs). It was more than a pleasant journey for me to be part of Maya.
Kirti Kulhari, How are you prepping for a singer’s role in your next release?
I have finished 90% of the film already. Singing is something that is very close to my heart. It’s the second thing after acting that I feel connected to. I have been learning Indian classical vocals. In this film, I had to work more on the character Sasha and her personality, but playing a lead singer of a band was easy as I had been connected to music. Before I started this film, I made sure I attended music gigs and concerts in Mumbai. It was such a revelation, so much fun and a stunning experience.
Kirti Kulhari, What were the learnings from playing an officer in ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’?
My dad belongs to navy, so everything that I had to portray in URI as an officer, the feeling of putting your nation before anything else, I witnessed it around him. Since childhood, I have been taught what nation means and what patriotism means. During the shoot, I kind of felt it and there were moments when the actor in me was lost, but the true Indian performed the role. That selflessness with which our soldiers serve our nation is something that I have taken back from this film.
The recent roles you wish you had done in the film and web series world?
I would have loved to play Alia’s role in ‘Raazi’, Taapsee’s role in ‘Manmarziyan’, Shefali Shah’s role in ‘Delhi Crime’. I would have loved to do Ali Fazal’s character in ‘Mirzapur’ too.
Kirti Kulhari, With the emergence of web as a medium, you think women now have a strong voice when it comes to sexuality?
We always had a voice, it’s just we have a medium to portray it. I am glad we have a medium now which helps to look beyond the obvious. You can’t behave like an ostrich by shutting your eyes and say oh this doesn’t exist. It exists and now you will be able to see it the way it is. It makes us feel more liberated and gives us the strength to go out there and do what makes us feel complete. It’s great that all of this is happening, and I am very glad I am a part of it through ‘Four More Shots Please!’
Kirti Kulhari, How is your husband Saahil Sehgal’s support throughout your career?
I have a family and husband who are more than supportive. If you see my career graph, after I got married, I have done very interesting work, I have grown as an actor. As a person, I have become bolder, and I do not mean shedding clothes on screen. In general, I can stand for myself for the choices I make. In fact, I had more apprehensions of doing bold stuff than my husband. He is the one who pushed me. I am very glad that I have a family that supports me always.
Is there any advice that you received from Amitabh Bachchan and Irrfan Khan, since you have worked with both?
Amitabh Bachchan (sir) was gracious enough to believe that all of us knew our jobs. Irrfan did mention to me once, that, whenever you do a reaction shot/scene, just try and think out of the box, try to do something that unpredictable and unexpected. I try and follow it in ways I can.
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