Pranutan returns with a social comedy

The actor speaks about her upcoming film Helmet, a little about love and some more

Pranutan Bahl, granddaughter of late veteran actress Nutan Samarth who was active between 1950 and 1991, and daughter of actor Mohnish Bahl, had made her Bollywood debut in 2019, with Salman Khan Film (SKF) production’s film, Notebook. Though Pranutan received critical acclaim for her performance in the movie, which was directed by Nitin Kakkar, the film bombed.

As she awaits the release of her next movie Helmet, we caught up with her. When asked if she is nervous about this release, given that her debut film didn’t do too well, she said, “In fact I’m excited about Helmet’s release. As for Notebook, I’m grateful that my work in it was appreciated. That film is very close to my heart and will be difficult for me to analyse dispassionately, but I have no regrets.” Any pressure to maintain her family lineage? “It’s true that my entire family belongs to Bollywood, and most of them are actors, but that doesn’t put any pressure on me,” she says matter-offactly. “On the contrary, it feels like a wonderful lineage, and I look upon that legacy as a responsibility. My focus is to always better my craft rather than getting bogged down by pressure.”

A FUN FILM WITH A MESSAGE

Returning to the topic of her upcoming release, Helmet, Pranutan tells us that she plays a very fun-loving ‘desi’ character who’s styled in saris, well-fitting salwar of net and georgette materials etc. in the movie. “I love Indian clothes, which secure your body and suit your frame,” she says. Additionally, Pranutan tells us that in Helmet, she’s done everything she didn’t in Notebook — for instance, dancing, romancing and some over-the-top comedy. “I play a desi phataka, who’s a romantic and wears her heart on her sleeve. But the character is also very immature and out-spoken. I play the kind of girlfriend who can easily intimidate her boyfriend, being as demanding as she is.” In real life, too, Pranutan admits, she embodies part of her character in Helmet. “The mooh-fat, outspoken part, that is,” she clarifies. “I’m unfiltered in my thoughts especially with close friends and family. But I’m not madly in love with anyone yet — I am single. But I believe love is indeed a beautiful feeling, which should bring peace in your life.”

Despite the tags the film has been getting in the media, Pranutan claims Helmet is not a sex comedy. “No it’s not a sex comedy at all. The film is a quirky and funny take around a subject that’s taboo in our country, but it comes with a social message,” she says.

Helmet is not a sex comedy. The film is a quirky and funny take around a subject that’s a taboo in our country, but it comes with a social message

— PRANUTAN BAHL

Pranutan tells us that in Helmet, she’s done everything she didn’t in Notebook — for instance, dancing, romancing and some over-the-top comedy