People will be seeing a lot more of me: Patralekhaa

Actor Patralekhaa’s recent show, IC814: The Kandahar Hijack, has become a talking point. An adaptation of Captain Devi Sharan’s memoir ‘Flight into Fear: The Captain’s Story’, the show recounts the week-long hijack drama which unfolded on the Air India flight in December 1999.

The actor is overwhelmed by the accolades for her moving performance as Air hostess Indrani. “When I read the script, I knew it was stout and riveting. But the praise that’s come my way has completely caught me by surprise,” she says.

The actress says she found the role emotionally draining. “It was like Pandora's box, it was difficult to see what was coming. As an actor, one has an invisible basket from which one draws the so-called tools to work with. Anubhav Sinha didn’t make it easy, in the sense that he pushes you to give your best. A great director propels the narrative and you.”

A tough ride

Patralekhaa made her debut in 2014, with the social drama City Lights. With just seven films credited to her name, followed by as many TV shows till now, 2024 has been her busiest year so far. With two back-to-back shows, Wild Wild Punjab and IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, and Gulkanda Tales to follow, Patralekhaa confesses it’s been a tough ride.

“It has been very difficult. I have not had anything easy. But in this rather bumpy ride, the support I have got from my parents, and of course Raj, who has been the biggest support, helped me stay afloat. I had very bad days, there were years I didn’t have any money or any work to speak of. But I was blessed with such a strong support system that helped me pursue what I am doing — that is my biggest win.”

Coming into her own

Did she ever feel trapped and weighed down by being known as her more successful partner’s other half?

“Initially when I was dating Raj, I was only someone’s girlfriend. But I knew I am more than that, and kept pushing my boundaries. I have distanced my professional life from Raj’s, and created my circle. I went out there and asked for work. People will have assumptions. But now, because of the work I am doing, people will see a lot more of me,” she says.

Creative couple

Patralekhaa and Rajkummar Rao married in 2021, after a seven-year relationship which began on the sets of City Lights. “I lucked out with Raj”, she says, adding that his focus on both his professional and personal life is admirable. “When not working we watch or discuss films. Our conversations are creative, there are times we don’t need to say things to each other, we just know it. We also have a close-knit circle of friends, and that’s our life beyond the spotlight,” she reveals.

‘In awe of Raj’

As for her husband’s latest film Stree 2 breaking box office records, with over `500 crore, Patralekhaa excitedly says they didn’t see it coming.“This boy from Gurgaon In Haryana, who started with a small role in LSD, who would have thought it would happen to him!” she says with a laugh.

Lauding her husband for his remarkable journey and evolution in Bollywood, she says he remains nonchalant about his success.“I am in awe of him. He does not blow his trumpet. He does not take a break, he is back on set. Whatever I say about him will fall short of the person and the actor he is. Sometimes I worry about how passionate he is towards his craft, that he just immerses himself in his character. For Srikkanth, I was worried that the way he was taxing his body would have an impact on him. But he loves his art too much.”