What kind of reactions have you been getting for Rocket Boys 2?
I am receiving very positive reactions. I am deeply humbled and full of gratitude that my work in ‘Rocket Boys 2’ has received so much love. As an actor, playing an icon like Mrs Indira Gandhi is both a dream job, as well as one of the most challenging roles I have ever played. I am very happy, and yes, also relieved, that my role- as well as the show on the whole, has been so well received.
How was your experience working with actors like Saba Azad and Jim Sarbh?
I am completely in love with the entire ensemble cast of Rocket Boys. You must understand that as actors working on any project, we spend a lot of time together-we eat together, we travel to various locations together, we are constantly talking about the plot, our characters, discussing ways to make it better, and we were completely immersed in the Rocket Boys universe together. All this forms deep bonds and lasting friendships. One feels like part of a family. And the Rocket Boys family is very close to my heart.
Jim is an amazing actor. He is also very friendly and warm. On my first day on the Rocket Boys set, I stepped out of the hotel dressed and in full hair and makeup, and I heard a loud ‘Mrs Gandhi! You are here!’ It was Jim and he bounded up with a warm hug, just like that. Ishwak is also a very warm, very focused actor. Unfortunately, I did not have any scenes with the girls, though we did meet for meals often. I greatly admire their work on the show.
Most of my scenes were with the actors who populated ‘Teen Murti Bhavan’ in our show. Rajit Kapoor who plays Nehru, Vivek Tandon who plays Haksar, KS Sridhar who plays the formidable Kamraj, and Harssh Singh, who plays Morarji Desai- all of us bonded between shots, debating history, telling stories of little forgotten tidbits of forgotten history we had come across. We were playing the policymakers and architects of modern India. What would private conversations between those from whom most people have only heard speeches be like? What you see on the screen is our version of what we think went on behind the scenes, among the movers and shakers of modern Indian politics.
Harssh and I especially bonded over our love of music and singing. We once spent an entire afternoon improvising a Broadway-meets-Bollywood version of an intense scene between the politicos, all for laughs. The entire cast of Rocket Boys is incredibly talented and is so well suited to their roles.
You have limited screen time but a significant part of some very interesting and big projects. How do you look back at your journey so far?
Yes, I have been lucky to have worked with brilliant directors like Nikhil Advani, Abhay Pannu, Ram Madhvani, Mira Nair and Wes Anderson. I have learnt a lot from all of them, about how to present the nuances of a character on screen, how every look, every breath can say something, how to keep your inner landscape ever alive and relevant to the story, even if your character is just fleeting across the screen.
Tell us something about your early days in the industry…
My early days in the industry were all about having one foot in Mumbai, where I worked, and one in Delhi, where I lived (where I live even today), though over time that distance has become less daunting. COVID taught all actors to make self-test audition videos. I have been making those and sending them out for years. Since my family lives in Delhi, and none of them belong to this industry, Mumbai was often a lonely experience for me. It took me a long time to find my groove, and my tribe.
Name one project that changed your career for good…
That has to be ‘Siyaasat’. We made more than 40 episodes of ‘Siyaasat’, and shot for almost two years for the show, and that show taught me a lot about acting for the camera. I learnt a lot from my co-actors, who were all so adept at their craft—the way they would turn their faces to best catch the light, the way they would deal with stressful situations, even skincare tips and tricks. And I learnt about how to use my voice in a dubbing studio to improve the performance of a scene that comes in for a dub. Acting for the camera is entirely different from our craft on stage- Siyaasat taught me that.
You were fortunate enough to be associated with a project that starred Irrfan Khan. How was that experience?
Yes, I worked on Irrfan ji’s film ‘Hindi Medium’ and I was lucky enough to be in a few scenes with him. So I got a chance to observe him, and his incredible craft, from close quarters. In one particular scene, we were all sitting in a school auditorium setting, and Irrfan ji came on stage to deliver a particularly moving speech. The first time he did it, after the speech was over, he wiped his tears and looked at the director, who had forgotten to say cut, he was so moved in that moment. That speech was shot many times with different camera angles, but each time, Irrfan sir delivered the two-page speech with such a strong underlying force of emotion, we were moved to tears every single time. He was an incredibly powerful actor. Losing him has been a tremendous loss to the industry.
Have discussions about nepotism, groupism, or insider-outsider issues ever bothered you?
I try not to give too much attention to this. Honestly, I focus on the opportunities that I do get, whether big or small, and work hard. I am true to every project that comes my way.
Were you a movie buff growing up?
Honestly, no, not at all! I was, and still am a bookworm before everything else. I did enjoy some films, and I idolise a lot of actors for their craft. I love Kishore Kumar. Padosan remains my top go-to feel-good film of all time.
You will next be seen in ‘Animal’. How was it working with Ranbir Kapoor?
It is my pleasure and honour to be working with actors like Ranbir Kapoor and Anil Kapoor. They are so easy to get along with, so willing to rehearse and explore the scenes with their co-actors. It was a joy to work with them.
What more does 2023 have in store for you?
I am looking forward to the release of my film, directed by Sanjay Tripathy, which stars Pankaj Kapur sir, which is about three generations of a family living under one roof and how the generational gap plays out in hilarious and heartbreaking ways. We finished shooting this film in the UK last year, and it is currently in post production.
I am also looking forward to the release of Sandeep Reddy’s film ‘Animal’, also later this year. Apart from that, I am currently busy filming a few other projects, and enjoying some time with my family. I am also working on writing some short fiction for children, based on the bedtime stories that I made up for my son.
