INTERVIEW

Swara Bhaskar, who seems to be breaking the norms of the Hindi film industry and that at a very young age, is bold as well as beautiful. Quite often in the news for her unconventional roles in films, Bhaskar would soon be seen in her new web series called It’s Not That Simple, about being a woman in a largely patriarchal society. She speaks to Guardian 20 about her love for Bollywood and why it is tough to have opinions when you become a known face. Q. You did your graduation from Delhi University and your master’s in sociology from Jawaharlal Nehru University. It was an academic journey through and through. So how did acting happen? A. Well, you cannot really be born in India and escape Bollywood, especially in the generation when I was born, late ’80s. So I had a childhood addiction to programmes like Chitrahaar and Superhit Mukabla because my parents did not have cable TV for long. That was my only connection to Bollywood. I always had a secret desire to be an actor. After completing my master’s from JNU, I basically realised that I can’t spend my whole life thinking what if I had gone to Bombay or what if I had tried in Bollywood. It’s better to try. That is how I came to Bollywood and I was a complete outsider and was no different from those 10,000 people standing outside for auditions with a dream to make it big in B-Town. I was exactly like them with no contacts, no connections with the industry. And I have been very lucky. I have been lucky with my auditions and I got the right path at the right time, and got noticed by the right people. It’s been like a good mix of luck, destiny and consistent efforts from my side. Q. You remained unnoticed for your performances in Guzaarish and The Untitled Kartik Krishnan Project. How tough was it to get noticed in the Hindi film industry, where everyone is struggling only for box-office success? A. Guzaarish was something which I don’t consider much because it happened by chance. Some actor they had confirmed had opted out and the casting director then called me up at the last moment for me to fill in. And The Untitled Kartik Krishnan Project is a very hardcore indie film. A very young filmmaker had made it. The idea was to make it into a short film. So, I have never con- sidered them as my official releases. My first official release happened in 2010, Madholal Keep Walking. It was a small film which released but did not make it that big. My official recognition as an actor happened with Tanu Weds Manu in 2011. Last 5-6 years have been pretty good.

And to get into Bollywood is definitely tough. It takes time. It is difficult for them who are never going to be launched as a supers stars. I don’t have a god father or any famous actor boyfriend for that matter. I knew this would be my journey when I planned to come to Mumbai where I will have to start off with smaller roles and supporting roles and then eventually make my way up. And that pretty much happened with people like me, Nawaz [Nawazuddin Siddiqui] or Rajkumar Rao, Richa Chadha. This is how everyone’s journey has been.