Kalki Koechlin is known for playing unconventional roles.
The actress will be seen playing a teenager suffering
from cerebral palsy in Shonali Bose’s Margarita With
a Straw, a film that is already trending ahead of
release. Kalki spoke to Gaurav Sharma on her
role, films, life and more.
This is a very important film for you.
Yes, it’s really an important film not just for me but also for the entire cast and crew. A lot of hard work has gone into making this film and we all are very emotionally attached to this film. It deals with a very sensitive subject and we all are hopeful that people will like this film.
Margarita With a Straw has already been received well at the different film festivals.
(Smiles) That gives us the confidence. Wherever we have gone with the film, it has won accolades. People have like this film a lot because of the way Shonali (Bose) has handled the subject. The film is about a teenager, who suffers from cerebral palsy and is wheel bound but she too has her desires just like another normal person. We got tremendous response at the Toronto Film Festival. People really gave us a standing ovation after watching the film. There were many who have family members who have cerebral palsy and they came up to us and spoke to us because they wanted us to guide them.
In fact, the film’s role is based on Shonali Bose’s cousin.
Malini is a very sweet person. Shonali and Malini are not only cousins but also friends. So, Shonali knows Malini better than anyone else. Malini too suffers from cerebral palsy and my character, Laila, is a lot like Malini. I don’t think anyone else could have handled this subject and film better than Shonali.
How difficult was it playing this character?
I have played a lot of characters but this was a role, which was a shade difficult. Of all the members of the cast I was the one, who was least exposed to cerebral palsy. I didn’t meet anyone with cerebral palsy earlier. So, it took a lot for me to understand the character. More than anything what this character demanded was to understand the psyche of such a person. The most difficult part of it was getting the physicality right because I was representing a section of people where the portrayal needed to be just perfect. By the time I started shooting, I realised that normalcy is just a trend…a state of mind and none of us are normal. People with cerebral palsy are just like us, who have their desires, sexual urges and everything. We need to understand that they are just like us and need to be accepted.
Did you too face similar barriers in your career when you came to Bollywood?
Of course I did face a lot of barriers. I didn’t have a background in films so, I wasn’t easily accepted in Bollywood. My looks too were not like a conventional Hindi film actress…so I too had to overcome those barriers. At the same time there were people who supported me and helped me find a foothold here. That’s why my only focus has been acting. I want to do good films and good theatre and I don’t differentiate between commercial and middle-of-the-road cinema.
Did you meet Malini before you started shooting for the film?
I did meet her but not to take any tips. In fact she is too sweet a person and was really happy that we were making a film that told her story.
The film’s title too is very interesting.
(Laughs) There’s an interesting story behind it. In fact, people started getting confused because they felt it is an English film but it’s a Hindi film. So we had to convince people that it’s actually a Hindi film, in fact a commercial Hindi film, which also has songs and it’s only the title that is English.
The film also has a few kissing scenes?
As I said, the film is about a teenager, her desires and her sexual preferences. I think we need to understand that everyone has his or her sexual preferences. It’s an important scene where Laila is kissing for the first time.
The censors objected to it?
Yes, they initially did but they also appreciated our effort when we had a screening for them. I just hope the Indian audience too like it when they watch it. It’s a very sensitive story but not a preachy story. There are moments in the film, when you will break into peals of laughter.
Have you watched the trailer of Anurag Kashyap’s Bombay Velvet?
I have watched the film and I must say it’s a very well made film. (TWF)
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