Kalki hopes the underdog act will score top spot
All eyes, at least Indian eyes, are on Gully Boy now, for it is India’s official entry to the 92nd Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. And those associated with the film can’t keep calm. Actor Kalki Koechlin, who stars in the film along with Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh and Siddhant Chaturvedi, is super-thrilled.
She lets out a scream, “Yay! I am now looking forward to the results of the Oscars.”
The film is a slumdog drama about Mumbai’s street rappers who make it big. Shot in the city at Dharavi (one of the world’s largest slums), it also highlights the wide gap between the rich and the poor in the country. The film is inspired by and loosely based on the lives of popular Indian rappers Naezy and Divine.
Kalki as Shweta aka Sky in the film received much appreciation for her performance. She feels proud to be associated with a narrative that “beautifully captures the growing rap scene” in India. “The film wonderfully represents our country, in terms of Mumbai, and the growing rap scene. It’s completely a new world for the international audience. As an Oscars selection, it allows a lot more people to be exposed to what’s happening in the rap scene here,” she says.
Kalki adds that the film underscores that talent cannot be limited by boundaries.
“The film shows the tough situations that people in poverty have to face. But we also see that there is scope and possibilities for everyone who works harder and has talent… That when it comes to creativity, everyone is equal,” says the 35-year-old.
When asked if the film’s nomination for the award will change anything for her career, she says, “I don’t want to skip many steps. We have just taken the first step; there is still a long way to go.” She doesn’t want to impose any “future expectations” on herself and just wants to relish the moment. Kalki says,“I want to live in the present, and as of now, I feel proud of the film and hope that we make it to the top.”