After playing glamorous parts in quintessential commercial films, Nushrratt Bharuccha gradually moved towards content-driven movies that revolved around social issues. In Janhit Mein Jaari, which released yesterday, the actress is seen in a similar light, but this time around, she goes that extra mile as she takes on an unconventional subject that has her playing a condom saleswoman. In a conversation with BT, Nushrratt talks about taking on hatke characters and the new turn in her career. Excerpts:

When I was offered this role, not once did I feel awkward or wonder whether or not I should do this film. Ek phase tha, jab bolte the ki ladki filmon mein kaam nahi kar sakti, phir bolne lage ladki late-night call centre mein kaam nahi kar sakti… see, women here have always faced these hurdles, but we overcame them. I did the same with this project. Also, I was confident about it as Raaj Shaandilyaa (writer/producer of the film), who is known to make clean comedies and had directed me in Dream Girl, was associated with it. Had it come from someone else, I would be cautious, but here I was sure ke subject bhale yeh ho, yeh log kuch crass nahi banayenge and that the film will cater to a family audience.

I think I was in 7th grade when I heard about condoms for the first time during the sex education session in school. The learning from that period was further inculcated and cemented in my mind when I returned home. My parents learnt that I had a sex education class, and so they sat me down and reiterated it to me from a different perspective. I feel information about topics as sensitive as these should be imparted by schools and parents in tandem. Also, it is important that parents talk about sex to their children because kids trust their parents. What if they learn about it from the wrong person and develop a wrong perspective about it?

It is all thanks to the audience. As actresses, there has been a point in our careers where we were fighting for one scene or dialogue in films. There was a time when we wondered what were we doing in this film? And why were we standing in the background? So, actresses have always carved for powerful parts. However, the audience, maybe, was somewhere not ready to see us like that. I think this shift happened over a period of time. Today, there are women who are striding ahead in their careers without any support. They are running their own house. Also, there are men who have seen women in their families rise and be the frontrunners of the house. And so, their stories have become inspirational. My father has seen me struggle and reach where I am. So, a subject that is driven by a woman will interest him, and that holds true for other men as well. Woh connection aur relatability aa gayi hai. So, the more extraordinary the story is (about a woman), the keener the audience is to watch it.

Personally, as an actor, I am extremely happy with the kind of space I have created for myself. At the time of Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Pyaar Ka Punchnama 2 and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety, my aunt would say, “Agli baar tu kuch aisi picture kyun nahi karti jahan par tu actually kuch kar rahi ho.” Then, when films like Chhalaang, Chhorii or a web project like Ajeeb Daastaans happened, I started feeling satisfied as an actor. Even my family was happy about this change. It has been a fun, fruitful and rewarding journey. It wasn’t easy though, and yes, there were emotional setbacks along the way too. If you are considered for a movie, but things don’t work out, then it’s fine, but what hurts the most is when you are not even considered for a particular project. In that phase, your mind can either drown you or lead you. I chose the latter by focusing on my work and celebrating the work that came my way. Personally, I would like to balance out my choices. However, post Chhorii there has been an influx of female-oriented scripts coming my way. Filmmakers tell me that when I started out, they could not imagine me beyond my glam avatar, but that has changed now.

My personal life has gone into some black hole (laughs!) Honestly, you need two things to have a healthy romantic life time and a person. Chalo, ek koi ladka bhi ho mere paas as an option toh main time nikaal bhi lu. Par koi hain hi nahi aas pass. I am constantly shooting. I don’t want to date somebody from the same field as me. Otherwise, the conversations tend to revolve around work. I would prefer to hang out with somebody who comes from another background and a different school of thought. But where do I find a human like this? I have been advised to get on dating apps, which I am not into! So, let’s see…

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