The actress plays an Anglo-Indian from Kolkata in the Hinglish period thriller
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 11, 2015)

Mirror was the first to report about Vikrant Massey playing the lead in Konkana Sen Sharma's directorial debut, A Death In The Gunj (November 21). Now, Kalki Koechlin, who was last seen in Shonali Bose's Margarita, with a Straw, will play a Kolkata-based Anglo-Indian in the film.

"I play a 34-year-old woman called Mitali. Koko (Konkona) called me for a reading in November and I instantly fell in love with the beautifully-written script. I can't wait to begin work," confirms the actress, revealing that the makers were initially apprehensive about casting her as a mature woman since she has a baby face. "I somehow convinced them that I'd pull off the role. I am an old person deep down anyway," laughs the 31-year-old actress.

She points out that she has mostly played young character so far so she is excited about this film which is very different from what she has done in the past. "I've already had some reading sessions with Konkona and she has given me lots of feedback," says Kalki who begins prepping for the film from next week, adding that the casting director, Atul Mongia, is set to conduct an acting workshop for the entire cast. "I did workshops with him during Shanghai and it's always nice to work with him."

Kalki who has mostly played contemporary urban characters in films like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Ek Thi Daayan and Shaitan, dons a more desi avatar for this Hinglish thriller. "Keeping in mind that the film is set in the '70s, I'll be seen draped in a saree. Also, since it is set in the winter, expect a lot of winter clothes on screen too. The dialogue is peppered with some Bengali but I might have only a few lines in bangla, and thank God for that," she chuckles.

Quiz Kalki about the latest on her upcoming film, Pooja Bhatt's Love Affair, and the actress says, "I don't know what's happening with it. For now the makers are busy with another film, Cabaret. I am off to Dubai for the premiere of Anu Menon's Waiting, which also features Naseer saab (Naseeruddin Shah). I have also been working on Nicholas Khargonkor's Mantra. So there are a lot of films to look out for."