Yami Gautam: Often, my character was the only woman in room

Playing a confident lawyer in OMG 2, Yami says it was crucial to weave in a female character to reflect the sentiments of women across different strata
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 16, 2023)

Usually, a movie release sparks joy among its actors who have dedicated months to its making. But the run-up to the release of OMG 2—starring Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi and Yami Gautam—was a tumultuous time as the Central Board of Certification (CBFC) requested modifications, while fringe groups objected to the film even before viewing it. In such a scenario, how does it affect the actors’ psyche? Gautam says while she understood the curiosity around the film, the resistance was hard to comprehend.

“There is nothing inflammatory in the film. Ten years ago, I did Vicky Donor, which was an important family film. We are in 2023 today. Sex education is an important subject. I understand the curiosity around it because it’s a sequel to a famous film. But why would any of us want to jeopardize our names? Artistes would never do a film that will hurt their audience.”

In Amit Rai’s directorial venture, Tripathi’s character sues the school after his son is expelled, and locks horns with Gautam’s character, who is the school’s legal counsel. If the film is to be broken down broadly, she plays a negative character.

“Antagonist is a stretch, but my character represents the voice of our society. [Through her], we showed what people are conditioned to believe,” she says, adding that the director wanted her to represent the woman of today.

“Amit wanted someone who is relatable, poised and sassy. He wanted gravitas on screen. I didn’t want to stand there stating facts, I had the opportunity to add depth to the character. The film could get verbose, but the emotions [prevented that.]”

The actor notes that such subjects run the risk of being viewed from the male gaze, which is why it was crucial to have a female voice in the movie.

“It’s the sort of film that women in tier-2 cities should be comfortable watching. A modern woman was important to be seen on screen, and she needed to reflect the sentiments of women across strata. In the film, my character says how she is often the only woman in the room. I have to credit Amit for bringing that in the writing sensitively.”
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Despite several hiccups before its release, Yami Gautam Dhar is glad moviegoers gave her latest film a chance
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 16, 2023)

Yami Gautam Dhar can finally heave a sigh of relief. The actor’s latest release, OMG 2, faced several obstacles — an uncertain release, a box-office clash and an A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). But the film, which talks about the importance of sex-education in school, has won the audience’s heart and crossed the Rs. 50 crore mark. Her first theatrical outing in four years, she “was very confident” about the film’s success.

The 34-year-old adds, “When I first watched it, I thought, ‘This film is definitely going to work. I will be surprised if it doesn’t’. The tone wasn’t meant to titillate or sensationalize and the audience understood the film’s intention. What happened later (the CBFC asking for changes and giving it an A certificate) wasn’t in our control.”

The actor feels that the reasons a film is given an A certificate are vast: “Ten years ago, if I told you one line on Vicky Donor (2012), eyebrows would be raised, but it got a U/A certificate. OMG 2 has even more important concepts and there was no mal intention behind making it. The audience and theatres are saying, ‘We wish we could show it to teens’. I also wish that the target audience was allowed to watch it. But I’m thankful that despite everything, the audience has embraced it.”