Lasyapriya Sundaram (BOMBAY TIMES; August 2, 2018)

Mithila Palkar is India’s bona fide digital star and the actress will soon be seen in Karwaan alongside Irrfan and Dulquer Salmaan. In a chat with BT, Mithila talks about wanting to be an actor since she was 12, how she bagged Karwaan, and why she doesn’t want to be a star who is unapproachable.

Karwaan is your third film, but you have already featured in Katti Batti (2015) and the Marathi film Muramba (2017). Did you always want to become an actor?
I always knew that I wanted to be an actor. I made my debut on stage when I was 12 and I was sure that this is what made me happy. However, nobody takes a 12-year-old’s career choice seriously. Everybody laughed it off. I also ran away from it, but acting eventually found me.

Growing up in Mumbai, what were the influences that propelled you towards taking up acting as a career?
Theatre and cinema have been major influences in my life. Initially, I wanted to do Marathi theatre because Marathi is my mother tongue and there was a certain comfort level. I have grown up watching plays at Shivaji Mandir and used to participate in plays in school, too. Like a lot of people, I also grew up watching Bollywood films.

Traditionally, getting an opportunity to be a part of a film is considered a huge struggle. Were you ever plagued by such thoughts?
I knew I would turn to films at some point, but I didn’t approach the profession thinking that I want to play the lead in a film. I wanted to be an actor and I didn’t know how to go about making a career. I experimented with whatever opportunity came my way. When I got the chance to work in shows on the internet, I jumped right into it. I want to be part of good content and it doesn’t matter where it is being showcased.

How did you bag the role in Karwaan?
I was working with a theatre company that organises a youth theatre festival called Thespo. Both Akarsh (Khurana, director of Karwaan) and I are Thespo alumnis. He told me that he was making a film and that he was going to suggest my name to Nandini Shrikent, the casting director. After the audition and look test, I had to wait for a long time. I thought it wouldn’t work out. I was really looking forward to it because who wouldn’t want work with two of the finest actors in the country, Irrfan and Dulquer Salmaan. But thankfully, it worked out. They are effortless and spontaneous.

Does it feel strange that you are not promoting the film with Irrfan?
It feels incomplete. Not a day goes by without Dulquer and I talking about Irrfan’s absence during promotions. He brings a different kind of energy to the table and we miss that a lot.

Who do you turn to for advice when you are choosing films?
Quasar Padamsee and Toral Shah are my mentors and strongest pillars of support. I have been fortunate enough to meet a lot of people who have helped me. Akarsh, too, has been very supportive through the film because it is daunting to share screen space with Irrfan and Dulquer Salmaan.

In showbiz, celebrities are always expected to look good and are constantly papped. Are you prepared for such scrutiny?
I live in Dadar with my grandparents. I think they will keep me grounded. I will still be getting kadi patta for them from the market. Home gives me a reality check.

What do you think your fans like about you the most?
I think the game changes when the wall between you and the viewer breaks. For the viewers, I think I come across as relatable. I don’t want to be put up on a pedestal because stars are worshipped in our country. I definitely want to be successful. I always want to be approachable. But I also feel the internet has changed that. I like the fact that you can write to Shah Rukh Khan and he might just reply back to you.