The petite and pretty Kanchan Awasthi, who had earlier acted in films like Ankur Murder Case and Chapekar Brothers and is now eagerly awaiting the release of her film Fraud Saiyyan as well as Bhootwali Love Story. She tells Jyothi Venkatesh that today you just cannot dismiss off a web series as of no consequence.
How would you describe yourself as an actress in the industry today?
I would like to call myself a mysterious and really unpredictable girl in the industry who is really different.
What is your role in the film ‘Bhootwali Love Story’?
I play a loveable and beautiful young ghost in the film, which is not at all a horror film, but an interesting blend of romance and comedy, which is directed by Shantanu Anant Tambe and centers around a ghost called Madhubala played by me.
Can you throw some light on your character Madhubala?
Madhubala is sold when she is a little kid and made to slog without having the liberty to do anything on her own, as she does not have a mind of her own. She is made to migrate to Mumbai when she is a teenager. Her friend Sonia, gets her a job at a local dancing bar. How she is sacked from her job and how she avenges her ill-treatment forms the crux of the subject.
Is she a ghost-like say Parineeti Chopra played in ‘Golmaal Again’?
Yes. Though my role isn’t inspired by her role in ‘Golmaal Again’, you can say that my role is somewhat like the one played by her in ‘Golmaal Again’. There are no special effects to lay emphasis on the fact that I am playing a ghost-like Anushka did when she played a ghost in Phillori. You can make out that I am the ghost when you look at my eyes.
Have you done any work prior to this?
I made my debut way back in 2013 with Vikram Bhatt’s film ‘Ankur Murder Case’. Till date, I have acted in as many as five films including ‘Ankur Murder Case’, ‘Gaalib’. ‘Main Khudiram Bose Hoon’, ‘Jai Jawaan Jai Kisaan’, ‘Chapekar Brothers’ and ‘Bhootwali Love Story’ which is being slated for release this year.
How is Shantanu Tambe who has directed you to ‘Bhootwali Love Story’?
Shantanuji is a very dear friend of mine. What I like about Shantanuji is that he is very focused about his work. Before I started working for his film, he made it a point to train me and all the other artistes in a special workshop for 15 days to enable all of us to get into the skin of our respective characters. I have been paired in the film opposite Suhas who has a strong Marathi theatre background.
What is the reason you have not been able to soar up like Deepika Padukone or Priyanka Chopra?
Deepika Padukone too had made her debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in ‘Om Shanti Om’, and though the film was a big hit, she had to slog a lot when she churned out flop after flop. Even Parineeti Chopra could easily get a break on her own just because she happens to be the cousin of Priyanka Chopra. No one in this industry will be able to zoom to the top right after he or she makes his or her debut.
What is your view on the casting couch in the film industry?
Believe it or not, I have been a part of the film industry for the last six years, but I do not think it exists, for the simple reason that I do not at all believe that it exists, because today times have changed and each and every girl is not only intelligent, but also very practical in the industry.
You have been a part of not only theatre, TV series, as well as feature films. How do you manage to strike the balance between the various media as an actress?
I always make it a point to work in one film at a time. I hail from the theatre. It is not at all tough for me to strike the right balance between theatre, TV and films; because I focus 100% on whatever I am doing, that too one at a time.
You are also working in Prakash Jha’s ‘Fraud Saiyyan’. Tell us something about the film.
I cannot divulge anything more about my role in ‘Fraud Saiyyan’ other than the fact that it is a key role in the film which is being produced by Prakash Jhaji.
Besides ‘Fraud Saiyyan’, what is the status of Shantanu’s next film which is being tipped to be a biopic?
It is a biopic but once again I have been asked to be tight- lipped and wait till he decides to announce the project after ‘Bhootwali Love Story’ is released. I feel that it will not only be challenging, but also quite different and difficult to act in a biopic, especially since you are required to know the A to Z of the person who you are going to portray in a film and you have to literally live that person, unlike in a feature fiction film in which you have to play only a character.
Who are the directors on your wish list?
I’d say Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Aaanand. L Rai, Raju Hirani, besides Prakash Jha. I’d also love to be a part of the films which are being made by female directors who are emerging on the scene of late in a big way.
Which are the actors who you feel are your most favorite?
Frankly, no one in particular is my favourite in Bollywood or for that matter Hollywood. I am my own favourite actor and any actor who does exemplary work in films is my favorite.
What is your USP as an actress?
My eyes are my USP and my minus point is my short temper, though I do frankly do not know what exactly makes me angry.
If you are marooned on an Island, which male would you like to spend your time with?
Rather than anyone else, I would love to spend time with my father, because I am a dad’s laadli and can share anything with my dad in this world without any hesitation at all.
Would you be ready to act in a web series too after having acted in films, theatre, and TV serials?
Of course. Today you cannot underestimate the power of a web series. The future of a web series is very bright. Every actor whether it is Viveik Oberoi, Saif Ali Khan, Richa Chaddha is acting in one web series. You just cannot dismiss off any web series as of no consequence.
