Talktime
Aahana Kumra | A self-made woman, Kumra believes in diversifying herself. She speaks with Musba Hashmi about what is keeping her busy these days and why she doesn’t talk about her struggles, among other things
What is keeping you busy these days?
I have a film — Bawri Chori — coming up on Eros now. We shot it in December 2019 and it is about a girl who goes looking for her husband because he hasn’t returned home for years and has abandoned her. She didn’t go to find him to bring him back, but to kill him. I found that story very interesting and shot it in London entirely. Then there is a Madhur Bhandarkar’s film — India Lockdown. I am playing a pilot there. There’s also Shaad Ali’s Call My Agent. It’s for Applause Entertainment and Banijay and it is going to come out soon.
From Lucknow to Mumbai, how would you describe your journey as?
It is a unique one. It’s a journey that I didn’t imagine. I am grateful to Mumbai for whatever that it has given me. It’s been a rewarding journey. I am also grateful to the industry for accepting and embracing me. It is also because I haven’t planned too much in life. I followed the leads and surrendered to life, so whatever was coming across I took that up. During my journey, a lot of people got attached to me. I feel lucky in terms of the associations that I had and for everything that I have achieved so far.
It’s rare that you talk about your struggles and you always say how grateful you are for everything. Does that mean you don’t want to glorify it?
All of us face challenges and struggle to find things and I am no different. I say grateful because we often forget to thank people or God. The year 2020 has made me realise that I have to stop complaining and start doing more. So many people have lost their lives at the drop of a hat. It made me realise why should I have to bad mouth anyone or talk about my struggles, when I should be grateful for the things that I have. I have always been a believer of sending out positivity because it will always come back to you.
Lipstick Under My Burkha has been a turning point in your career. How has life changed for you?
A lot has changed. It is my most important career choice. I believe that every project comes with its qismet and the same was with Lipstick… I would always be grateful to Ekta and Alankrita for making me a part of that project. It has changed how I look at myself also. Initially, I wanted to be a heroine, but with this project I realised I will be able to play characters also. And after that one thing lead to another. With Khuda Hafiz, I realised I can do action and with Accidental Prime Minister, I realised I can do political drama. So more than anything else, it is about diversifying yourself. Because otherwise, you will become boring.
Is there a checklist that you follow before taking up projects?
Not really. The only thing that I make sure is to not repeat roles. I just want to go out and keep experimenting. Every time someone wants to slate me in a particular genre, I go out exploring a new character and they go like: Arey abhi to ye kar rahi thi, ab kuch aur kar rahi hai.
One thing that makes you feel uncomfortable on the sets?
Nothing at all. I love being on the sets. In fact, if I am not working, I feel something is incomplete within me.
You have explored different mediums. Which one do you enjoy the most working in?
It has to be theatre. No one judges you there, you can make mistakes, learn from it and be yourself.
Social media is both impactful and threatening. Do you have to be careful before posting something on social media these days?
I stand for the things I believe in. Posting on social media doesn’t make sense to me. I believe if you support something, you should be doing something about it and be there for that thing. If I am not doing that, it means that things doesn’t make a difference in my life.
But, if you ask about my photos and stuff, I want to keep it fun. I do have to be careful because I don’t want to post something that will bite my back. I don’t want to get into unnecessarily troubles because that will distract me from my work.
Sunday, 07 February 2021 | MUSBA HASHMI
