It was frustrating being judged by my name and accent, says Hazel Keech
Remembered best for the only film she has done in Bollywood — Bodyguard (2011) — besides a few dance numbers, Hazel Keech has stayed away from acting ever since. And she cites lack of good opportunities as the reason why she’s missing in action from films. “After Bodyguard, I got many offers to play the same role, and I was looking for something different, so I did the item song Aa Ante Amlapuram
(from the film Maximum; 2012). After that, I only got offers for item songs,” she continues, “As an actor, I want to do projects that interest me both in terms of the story and the role. When I commit to anything, I give it my 100% time and energy, so I don’t compromise on the work I do.”
Ask her what has been keeping her busy, and Hazel is quick to clarify that she hasn’t been sitting idle all this while. “Since Bodyguard, I was an associate producer on an international project; I studied improv comedy and also performed with a group. Now, I’ve graduated as a regression therapist,” says the actor, who got married to former cricketer Yuvraj Singh in 2016.
There’s a notion that Bollywood requires female actors to conform to certain standards, and Hazel, who is of British-Mauritian origin, shares that she has had her share of experiences in the film industry. “For me, it was frustrating coming to Bollywood, growing up in a very Hindu traditional Indian household with a British father, and trying to convince people that I’m Indian after being judged by my name and accent,” she rues.
However, she adds that things are slowly changing. “In my years in India, I’ve seen Bollywood change from having certain requirements like knowing classical dance and speaking Hindi to having none of those matter anymore. Women don’t even need to be Indian anymore. Today, we have leading actresses from different nationalities as well as from India,” she elaborates.
All set to make a comeback to acting, Hazel will play a protagonist in Ira Khan’s debut directorial play, Euripides’ Medea. Calling theatre her first love, she says, “My training has also mostly been from acting schools, which were very intertwined with theatre. So it’s more like a homecoming for me.”
About working with Ira, Hazel says, “She’s young and has seen a lot for her age. She understands the complexities of the characters and their dynamics. It’s impressive to see her being so sure of herself and what she wants.”