Kriti Sanon has been in the news recently for her repartee to criticism for her sartorial choices. Fashion commentator Diet Sabya had remarked that one of the sarees Kriti wore looked liked the ones worn by air hostesses. When the remark was brought to the notice of the actress at an interview, Sanon said: “I don't follow him, so I have no idea.” The interviewer then asked, “Is it a him?” to which Sanon playfully replied, “Him? Is it?” She then added with a laugh, “He’s too mean to be a woman.” Diet Sabya shared the clip on Instagram story, and wrote, “Wheezzinggg, she hates us.” (Image by arrangement)
‘Empowering change’ was the topic of a ‘Masterclass’ at the 55th International Film Festival of India in progress in Goa. Kriti Sanon interacted with the press on this and other topics of interest. Here are excerpts from the conversation:
Empowering choices
Mimi has been a major milestone in my career. It was a bold choice, as I was craving something bigger as an actor. A lot of people felt surrogacy was too serious a subject, and that I shouldn’t be playing a mother so young. But I didn’t look beyond the story. Validation and love from audience gave me confidence in my potential as an actor and I wanted to take on stronger subjects and roles. Do Patti came up because of this hunger - the role was deeper and more layered and the subject was close to my heart and very relevant.
Pressure to play ‘good’ women rather than flawed characters
I had a lot of fun playing Do Patti’s Shelly, who was unapologetic about having no moral compass. Shelly didn’t care, so it felt liberating to not care. It’s very important to show real women, like you show real men. Men are flawed, people are flawed. Nobody is perfect, everyone has their insecurities and traumas. Films show women from the perspective of men – the way men would like them to be — Ye dheere bolti hai, hansi bahut achchi hai, shehmi rehti hai etc. [She speaks softly, has a good smile, she is modest.] But no one bothers to find out if women want to be like that. They can be flawed, jealous and angry, like men. They can also throw things like a man does. It’s important to show strong women who don’t necessarily meet the male perception of a ‘good’ or perfect girl. Sifra in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya apparently embodies the perfection a man desires, and the man thinks he’s in control, till she makes him realise in the end that it isn’t true.
Women writers are changing the narrative
I feel women are slowly but steadily coming out in every field, including business and film-making. A woman can achieve whatever she puts her mind to. No profession should be biased against any gender, unless it depends on physical strength. Women cannot make this happen by themselves. The change will only happen when men and women have progressive minds and work in sync. It’s not about men or women, we should begin to think of ourselves as human beings coming together to bring about desired changes.
Digital medium allows diversity
Mimi was a film made for theatres but released digitally. The medium gives you the liberty to do stories which may not be commercial or have mass appeal. Such films have their own audiences, who like watching different kinds of cinema. The digital platform also has global reach.
Warm welcome despite ‘outsider’ status
The film industry has given me a warm welcome ever since I entered it. If you don’t have a film background, it takes time to ‘get there’, find the opportunities you want, make it to magazine covers. Everything is a bit of a struggle, but if you get [good] films nothing can stop you. We keep talking about ‘Nepo Kids’ but I feel it’s not so much the industry that is responsible, it is also the media and eventually the audiences. The media puts out stories about certain star kids to cater to what their readers/viewers want, and so people from the industry think of making movies with these kids, to capitalize on audience interest. I believe if you are talented, you get there, no matter where you come from. If you are not talented, people will not connect with you.
Dreaming of a biopic
There are many roles that I have not done yet. I would love to play a superwoman — something that hasn’t been made in India yet. I would love to do action films and play a completely negative role. (Shelly in Do Patti had just a touch of grey) I haven’t done a biopic either, as I haven’t been offered one. That’s something else I look forward to.
Words of wisdom
I think it’s important to consistently grow, evolve and work on yourself. Whether a film fails or does well at the box office is not in your hands. But you giving your 100% is in your hands, and then the onus of the film’s failure won’t be on you. Failure of films can affect you as you start questioning your choices. But they shouldn’t, because you have been moving forward and have been giving your best. You learn from your mistakes and correct yourself.
Mimi has been a major milestone in my career. It was a bold choice, as I was craving something bigger as an actor. A lot of people felt surrogacy was too serious a subject, and that I shouldn’t be playing a mother so young. But I didn’t look beyond the story. Validation and love from audience gave me confidence in my potential as an actor and I wanted to take on stronger subjects and roles. Do Patti came up because of this hunger - the role was deeper and more layered and the subject was close to my heart and very relevant.
Pressure to play ‘good’ women rather than flawed characters
I had a lot of fun playing Do Patti’s Shelly, who was unapologetic about having no moral compass. Shelly didn’t care, so it felt liberating to not care. It’s very important to show real women, like you show real men. Men are flawed, people are flawed. Nobody is perfect, everyone has their insecurities and traumas. Films show women from the perspective of men – the way men would like them to be — Ye dheere bolti hai, hansi bahut achchi hai, shehmi rehti hai etc. [She speaks softly, has a good smile, she is modest.] But no one bothers to find out if women want to be like that. They can be flawed, jealous and angry, like men. They can also throw things like a man does. It’s important to show strong women who don’t necessarily meet the male perception of a ‘good’ or perfect girl. Sifra in Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya apparently embodies the perfection a man desires, and the man thinks he’s in control, till she makes him realise in the end that it isn’t true.
Women writers are changing the narrative
I feel women are slowly but steadily coming out in every field, including business and film-making. A woman can achieve whatever she puts her mind to. No profession should be biased against any gender, unless it depends on physical strength. Women cannot make this happen by themselves. The change will only happen when men and women have progressive minds and work in sync. It’s not about men or women, we should begin to think of ourselves as human beings coming together to bring about desired changes.
Digital medium allows diversity
Mimi was a film made for theatres but released digitally. The medium gives you the liberty to do stories which may not be commercial or have mass appeal. Such films have their own audiences, who like watching different kinds of cinema. The digital platform also has global reach.
Warm welcome despite ‘outsider’ status
The film industry has given me a warm welcome ever since I entered it. If you don’t have a film background, it takes time to ‘get there’, find the opportunities you want, make it to magazine covers. Everything is a bit of a struggle, but if you get [good] films nothing can stop you. We keep talking about ‘Nepo Kids’ but I feel it’s not so much the industry that is responsible, it is also the media and eventually the audiences. The media puts out stories about certain star kids to cater to what their readers/viewers want, and so people from the industry think of making movies with these kids, to capitalize on audience interest. I believe if you are talented, you get there, no matter where you come from. If you are not talented, people will not connect with you.
Dreaming of a biopic
There are many roles that I have not done yet. I would love to play a superwoman — something that hasn’t been made in India yet. I would love to do action films and play a completely negative role. (Shelly in Do Patti had just a touch of grey) I haven’t done a biopic either, as I haven’t been offered one. That’s something else I look forward to.
Words of wisdom
I think it’s important to consistently grow, evolve and work on yourself. Whether a film fails or does well at the box office is not in your hands. But you giving your 100% is in your hands, and then the onus of the film’s failure won’t be on you. Failure of films can affect you as you start questioning your choices. But they shouldn’t, because you have been moving forward and have been giving your best. You learn from your mistakes and correct yourself.
It is important to stay curious and ask questions. From the start of my film journey till today, other actors and directors may say of me, “She asks a lot of questions.” But if I don’t ask questions, how will I learn? Being curious is instrumental to becoming better.
I have had ups and downs, but both were learning experiences. I realised both are temporary. What matters is your own consistency.
“Women can be flawed, jealous and angry, like men. They can also throw things like a man does. It’s important to show strong women who don’t necessarily meet the male perception of a 'good' or perfect girl.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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