Each of my female directors has pronounced personality traits: Kalki Koechlin

Kalki Koechlin, who made her Bollywood debut with Dev D, has come a long way. Her latest film A Death In the Gunj has just been released to tremendous ovation at the Toronto Film Festival. In a candid chat, Kalki talks to us about her film and upcoming projects.

Konkona Sen Sharma’s directorial debut A Death In the Gunj was very well received at the Toronto Film Festival…

Yes, I am very happy about that. I wanted to be in Toronto for the screening but I was told very late about it. But I am happy for Konkona. We shot the film at a place which is four-hours drive from Ranchi. Logistically it was tough for Konkona to cart the entire crew to Jharkhand. But she insisted on it.

How did the crew manage in the wilderness?

Initially we stayed in Ranchi. We’d travel four hours every day and it was exhausting. We then shifted to the location and stayed in local homes.

You have worked with female directors before. How different is it from working with male directors?

Yes, I’ve worked with Shonali Bose in Margarita With a Straw and Zoya Akhtar in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara. Gender definitely doesn’t play a part. But yes, each of my female directors has pronounced personality traits. Zoya is like one of the boys: boisterous. Koko (Konkona) is quiet but she knows exactly what she wants from each actor.

When does A Death In the Gunj release in India?

It will be released soon. They completed the film just a few days before it was taken to Toronto. They left in a mad rush.