With three releases and another in the works, Kiara Advani is happy the year is ending on a good note 
Monika Rawal Kukreja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 27, 2020)

Kiara Advani started 2020 on a high note with her web film Guilty garnering rave reviews. Calling it a special film, she admits, “It made me push myself and take the best risk with a character like Nanki.” While things would have been up and going, the Coronavirus pandemic brought everything to a standstill. However, the actor is happy that she had two more releases — Laxmii and Indoo Ki Jawani — and she’s currently shooting for her next. Looking back, she tells us how 2020 has taught us that ‘the show must go on’.

With two releases on the web and one theatrical, you’ve been on a roll. How would you sum up 2020?
This has been a year of risks and many learnings. I began it with Guilty, which was also the first film that I was headlining and for the first time portraying a character that we’ve never seen before by a lead actor. Then, both Laxmmi and Indoo Ki Jawani released amid the pandemic. Indoo Ki Jawani had already made a profit with digital and satellite sales, even before it released. But as a team, we wanted to support the cinemas by releasing it in theatres. I’m glad my performance was widely appreciated.

Now that you’re busy with JugJugg Jeeyo, how is it to be shooting for a fresh film during the Coronavirus pandemic?
Initially, no one thought this phase would last so long, but now, this is the new normal and the show must go on. I signed for nine new brands during the pandemic and resumed work in July. At first, it seemed impossible to think of shooting for a feature film in 2020, but with everyone adapting to the new rules, creating a bubble and shooting with every possible precautions, we decided to go ahead. We’ve adapted to this situation but there are days I feel nervous when we shoot with a crowd or new people coming into the bubble because as actors — while everyone else has their mask and protective gear on — we don’t, and are most vulnerable during a shot. However, our production and personal teams and director Raj (Mehta) have made it so comfortable. So, we’re blessed!

So would you, in that sense, say you’re ending 2020 on a good note? Also, how’s it to be working with Anil Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor for the first time?
I’m grateful to be working with Anil sir and Neetu ma’am. Working with such dedicated, passionate and experienced actors only makes me grow and improve myself. And I’m happy I’m ending this year working on JugJugg Jeeyo with such a supportive and positive atmosphere on set. I’m looking forward to 2021 and starting on new films.

You’ve completed six years in Bollywood and the last two years have been quite busy work-wise. Do you want to increase this pace?
It’s been a slow and steady and upward journey till now. And I’m very grateful for all the work that’s coming my way. Last year changed a lot of things for me (Kalank, Kabir Singh, Good Newwz) and 2020 has been even better. Every film has been equally special. There have been ups and downs, the days when I didn’t hope for the work that I have today. Now that I finally have all the work I was once longing for, I hope I never slow down this pace.