While it has been 17 years since Nushrratt Bharuccha made her debut in films and been a part of movies like Love Sex Aur Dhokha, Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Dream Girl, Janhit Mein Jaari, Ram Setuand the more recent Akelli, the actress feels that she is “still struggling as an actor”.

Nushrratt, who was in Ahmedabad recently, says, “I don’t mind playing any role if the director can visualize me in his/her film. Tweaking the character is an actor’s job, but I must be given that chance.” 

The actress, who has roots in Bharuch and Ahmedabad, adds, “I have cousins in Gujarat and whenever I come here, I have a list of places to visit. One thing I eagerly look forward to is having a Gujarati thali.”

Nushrratt, who has played unconventional roles in her career, says, “I am still struggling as an actor. I don’t think I have made a mark yet. I am still fighting for the same roles, attention, and space. I am somebody who can call up the director and ask, 'Why not me?' I am very practical and level-headed and if you give me a reason why I won’t be cast in a role, I can accept that. But I have a problem when they don’t have a reason. If the director is very sure about another actress, I can understand that because they have the freedom to choose whoever they want to cast. I have a problem when a director says he/she would love to work with me, but never offers me a role.”

She adds, “When I interact with the audience, I know that they love me. So, maybe I have left a mark there, but not in the trade. If you see my filmography, I have either worked with the same directors or new directors. I am still waiting to be offered a role by a big banner.”

During the lockdown, the only thing that kept us sane was OTT. It offered jobs to people and I’ll forever be indebted for that. However, you can’t take away the magic of cinema. I want a world where the audiences do not have to pick between the two mediums.

If I am offered a Gujarati film, it won’t be too long before you see me in one. I was offered a role in the remake of Chhello Divas but somehow, things didn’t work out. But I have not been offered a full-fledged Gujarati film yet.

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When Raj Mehta cast me for Khilauna (from Ajeeb Daastaans), he asked me if I could do the role of a maid. He couldn’t believe that I had washed utensils at home. I sent him a video of me doing that to make him believe that I could do it!