‘WASN’T PLANNING TO DO A FILM THIS YEAR’

Kritika Kamra talks about how her debut film worked out in a jiffy and adds that she will have a working birthday this year

This year has been quite eventful”, says Kritika Kamra, who is currently shooting for her debut feature film in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The movie is a lighthearted realistic story, directed by Nitin Kakkar of Filmistaan (2012) fame, a film that won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.

Kritika says films were not on the agenda this year for her. “It wasn’t like I was chasing it (films) as I wasn’t planning to do a film this year. But things just worked out. After my TV show Chandrakanta’s shoot ended, I had booked tickets for a holiday but when I got this offer, things fell into place pretty quickly. In a matter of days, we were prepping and we had to start shooting. I had to cancel my holiday at the last minute to begin shooting. Usually, for movies, the turnaround time from signing a film to shooting for it is a lot but that wasn’t the case with me,” she says.

Working in movies and films is a different ball game and she has realised that as well. “Everything about this movie has been wonderful. The process is different from how we work in television and the people on set have made working in this movie a lot of fun. This film has been a combination of unlearning and learning many things. This year has been special as I did Chandrakanta and now this movie.”

The actor will also be e celebrating her birthday today. “It’s going to be a working birthday. Usually, I take a day off for my birthday or even if I’m working, after pack up there are friends in Mumbai to celebrate with. But, right now, I am shooting and have an early morning shift on my birthday. In fact, I was working on Diwali as well, and m brother came to meet me.” Kritika has been in Ahmedabad for over 40 days shootin for the film that also o co-stars Jacky Bhagnani and Prati e She will return to Mumbaii iin the first week of November.

Kritika admits that earlier, she would get excited about birthdays but “as you grow up, you mellow down”. “I might not feel very enthusiastic on days leading up to my birthday but on that day, I am very excited to get calls and wishes from my family and friends. It’s lovely how people make you feel so special on that one day of the year,” she says.

Usually, for movies, the turnaround time from signing a film to shooting for it is a lot but that wasn’t the case with me. KRITIKA KAMRA, ACTOR