KABIR SINGH DID WELL MEANS PEOPLE FOUND IT RELATABLE: KIARA

Says Kiara Advani as she opens up to Sonali Pitale Joshi about the movie, the backlash and upcoming multi-starrer Good Newzz

What prompted you to say yes to Good Newzz?

I know about IVF because many of my mother’s friends have opted for this. It is a very normal thing, but it is a tough procedure and takes time. In this film we have tried IVF because a small percentage of our population knows about it... Although the couples in the film are victims of a goof-up, there is a bigger message in the film. It is an emotional journey as well. My character is quite vibrant and I am a bit like her. I started shooting for this film immediately after Kabir Singh and it took a while for me to detach from Preeti and play a contrasting character of Monika.

You are working with Kareena, Akshay and Diljit for the first time. What was the experience like?

I didn’t even realise when I started feeling at ease with them as all of them made me feel comfortable. Akshay sir is a team player, so he would insist that we sit together and eat together too. Now also he wants us to promote the film together. He is very supportive. I am a Kareena Kapoor fan, so for me it was like ‘Oh my God! I am working Kareena’. It was a ‘dream come true’ moment for me. She is chilled and effortless.

Has Kabir Singh’s success made a difference to you as an actor?

It was a career-changing moment for me. I have got responses from all the filmmakers in the industry. It was a big thing for me. I knew the film has been loved but never realised it became so popular. Recently, we went to Chandigarh for a song launch of Good Newzz and there were some 8000 people and as soon as I and Akshay sir went on the stage, everyone started chanting Preeti. Akshay sir also joined them and I could not speak for some time.

What about the criticism the movie faced and director Sandeep Venga’s comment?

It is very normal to have different opinions, that’s what art is. It is a film that affected a lot of people. There were things which were pretty uncomfortable for some. So they were not in agreement with it, which is fine. I am glad that it became a topic of discussion. Kiara and Preeti are complete opposites. My way of thinking is different and it was challenging for me to play the character without judging her. I found my role challenging so I took it up. The film did well means there people found it relatable. We may not be like them, but there is a Preeti and a Kabir somewhere in this world. It was a fictional story for me and I looked at it like that. As far as my director’s comments are concerned I have not really read them so I cannot comment on it. We should not be connecting issues with the film because what happened in Hyderabad is completely different and that issue is very important.

You are working with Akshay again in Lakshmi Bomb. Tell us about it.

It is a brave role and different from what Akshay sir has done. Lakshmi Bomb is an emotional and real film. It is a film which we have not seen in a long time. I am really glad to be a part of the film and it was wonderful opportunity for me to work with Akshay sir again in the film. It is a really interesting horror comedy.