I DON’T ENJOY PROMOTIONS: SAYANI GUPTA
Says Sayani Gupta about her role in as a Nepalese woman in a satirical drama; reveals she was drawn to the project as it authentically represents people from North East India
Getting into the skin of the character is important for Sayani Gupta and that’s why she didn’t mind looking the part of a Nepali woman in her next film, a bittersweet satirical drama, Axone. The film has been screened at many film festivals and appreciated by the audiences. When Sayani read the script, which was recommended to her, she was sure she wanted to do the film written and directed by Nicholas Kharkongor. “It helped that he was a good friend of Kalki’s (Koechiln, actor) and came highly recommended,” says the actor, who has worked in films such as Margarita With A Straw (2015), Fan (2016), Jolly LLB 2 (2017) and Article 15.
Sayani feels “fortunate” to have done films with varied roles and says that playing a Nepalese woman was challenging for her. “I have close friends who are from the Northeast and also speak Nepali. I wanted to be authentic. Also, I was the only non-North Eastern person in the unit. So, the pressure to ‘fit in’ was double (laughs). The fact that I looked like a Nepali helped, but it was only once I got into the look that everyone was convinced that I was actually Nepali. I would read the entire script daily and was extra careful with every word I spoke. Even during the dubbing, Nicholas and I discussed the authenticity of every spoken word. This film is very unique and special cause Nicholas actually wrote a brilliant script, which was super funny. And the fact that it’s probably the first ever mainstream film which authentically represents people from North East India,” says the actor.
The actor has been part of biggies and small-budget films. Ask her how does she feel about her films that do the rounds of festivals vis-a-vis films that she promotes extensively and she says, “Honestly, I don’t enjoy promotions. But, I do enjoy travelling with my film to festivals as you get a firsthand response from audiences from different parts of the world. It’s absolutely unparalleled.”
I have close friends who are from the Northeast and also speak Nepali. I wanted to be authentic. Also, I was the only non-North Eastern person in the unit. So, the pressure to ‘fit in’ was double (laughs)
SAYANI GUPTA, ACTOR