Kalki Koechlin: Actresses In The ‘Unconventional’ Bracket

Her choice of films is few and far-between. Yet, she successfully managed to earn the tag of a versatile actress. With each of her roles being carefully picked, Kalki Koechlin has become one of the favourite actresses in the ‘unconventional’ bracket. From playing a prostitute in her very first celluloid outing, Dev D, to playing a wheelchair-bound girl of boundless spirit in Margarita With A Straw, she has time and again challenged herself and emerged a winner. Despite having explored myriad roles in this industry, Kalki believes there is much more for her to do. Directing and acting in plays, acting in commercial as well as niche films, Kalki is not ready to settle for less. In a long conversation with Stuti Srivastava, Kalki verbalises her journey so far

- Stuti Srivastava

While doing theatre, was it always on your mind to be a part of Bollywood?

I always had passion for acting, and anyone who is an actor would want to work in a film. But I never thought I would be in Bollywood, simply because I didn’t know how I could fit in. My Hindi was weak, I look white… I had to be realistic about it. But all this didn’t stop me from auditioning and going out and trying to get work. As an actor, you should go out and seek work. You can’t be snobbish about where you want to work or what you want to do. I wanted to do everything, and that has not changed. I want to keep doing theatre and commercial films, as well as other independent work. The idea is to keep growing as an actor.

Your filmography exhibits a mixed bag of films – commercial, as well as niche. Which space do you enjoy more?