‘I’M GETTING TO WORK WITH PEOPLE I LIKE’
Patralekhaa is glad good offers are coming her way; adds it can be a struggle to find the right work
Patralekhaa is excited about her upcoming anthology movie on the web, helmed by director Pradeep Sarkar. This project will mark her debut in the digital medium. “The stories (on web) are much more relatable and exciting. Whatever is happening right now, on the platform, is interesting,” says the CityLights (2014) actor. Excerpts from an interview:
What excited you about your role in the anthology?
I watched Parineeta (2005) and I loved it. It attracted me to the world of films. I never met Dada (Pradeep) for the auditions. As soon as I met him, I just said, ‘I am doing it’, before he could even narrate the story to me. I like the way he works, his energy and the childlike quality that is still a part of him. He is curious about life. He is a workaholic. I realised that if you are passionate about your work, the working hours really don’t matter, and that became a turning point for me. I am blessed to work with him.
When you were offered the film, were you open to the idea of it releasing on the digital platform?
The lines are blurring. I was in Los Angeles (USA) and all my friends knew Radhika Apte. I have Japanese friends, who’ve watched Sacred Games and know Saif Ali Khan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika. That is the kind of reach the web has. I want to focus on web.
Is it a struggle to bag the right kind of offers?
There’s still a lot of struggle to get the right work. I am happy that good work is coming my way. After my debut film, I had no offers. Then, I started reaching out to people. They were initially confused about who I was. With time, I’ve warmed up to them and vice versa. I’m getting to work with the people I like.
How important are connections in this profession?
I don’t think attending parties makes a difference, but reaching out to people helps. I find the party culture a bit uncomfortable. I really don’t get into that space at all, but I make an effort to call a director if I know about a project. I think that helps more than socialising.
What qualities about boyfriend Rajkummar Rao do you appreciate the most?
He is not scared of trying anything new. People always have these blocks and worry about what will happen if they attempt something new. He is open to life and is not a calculative person. I adore that about him. This is evident in his work too.