I'd never say no to commercial cinema: Nimrat Kaur

Mumbai: Last seen in 2016’s ‘Airlift’ alongside Akshay Kumar, actress Nimrat Kaur is ready with yet another out of the box project, ‘The Test Case,’ a web series directed by Nagesh Kukunoor and produced by Ekta Kapoor. In an exclusive chat, Nimrat talks about her role in the web series, her association with Akshay Oberoi, her life after the commercial success of ‘The Lunchbox’ and much more. Excerpts:

Did you sign The Test Case considering it’s a female centric subject?

I didn’t sign it because it is a female centric subject. Rather I took it up because it is a story of a girl who is set to do something which has never been attempted earlier. The girl is trying to be the first woman officer in a commando capacity so I found that very intriguing. Personally, I also like to take up army as a subject to work on. It is more like a passion project for me.

How was it working with Nagesh Kukunoor and Ekta Kapoor?

Amazing is the word. He is very sharp and perceptive. He is very honest about what he wants to communicate. Even the producer Ekta Kapoor, she is very sharp and has a foresight that not many people have. She is one of the few people in the current era, who is a clutter breaker. Her clarity of thought is par excellence. It is commendable.

Why are you so selective about your work?

It is just about the matter of which career phase we are in. Things take usually longer to culminate than usual. I have been in that phase so far but I hope that it will change soon. I also don’t like these gaps myself but it may be that since I am abroad, that takes away a lot of my time. When you are away from the industry for 5-6 months then one can not expect films rolling out anytime soon. I don’t believe in quantity. If quality work chooses you, it is a great blessing.

Are you happy the way your career has shaped so far?

I have been feeling very grateful and I feel blessed to do whatever I have been able to do so far.

You believe that Lunchbox is your game changer?

The Lunchbox has been a turning point in my life. As an actor, before The Lunchbox and after the film have been two different lives for me.

Are you open to commercial cinema?

Absolutely! I have grown up watching commercial films. I have watched it even more than anything else. It is a very big part of my film and background. I would never say no to anything in the commercial space.

How was working with Akshay Oberoi?

It has been very enriching working with him. I have learned a lot from him as a person. I have never seen him stressed and burdened. He just laughs in any given situation.

Do you think that digital platforms have opened new ways for industry?

Absolutely, I think this is the way forward. I believe there is a major boom happening to the industry.

What are you doing next?

I have no clue on this. I also mentioned earlier that I don’t do this purposely. This is not something I have done consciously. In the first few years of our careers, work chooses you. We don’t plan things. Being an outsider too, I feel very blessed and honoured wherever I go with the kind of work I have done so far.