Kalki Koechlin isn’t in a hurry to choose projects. The actor values substance over mere participation and gravitates towards narratives that resonate with her. “Being selective with my projects is a deliberate choice. I’m especially cautious now because I prefer not to be away from my daughter unless I’m genuinely excited about a project,” Koechlin shares.

The mother of one emphasizes the scarcity of meaningful work in the industry. “Quality projects are few and far between, despite the abundance of platforms and mediums available. We often have to wait patiently because not every script that comes our way turns out to be a gem,” she explains.

Recently, Koechlin was part of films like Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, Sam Bahadur, and the second season of Made In Heaven. However, she laments the lack of representation of women over 40 on screen. 

“People are unfairly critical of women over 40 without truly understanding their experiences. There’s a lack of awareness about issues like menopause and the changes women undergo in this phase of life, largely because these topics aren’t being explored enough,” the 40-year-old actor observes.

Koechlin stresses the importance of having more female writers and directors in the industry. “Empowerment for women will come through the portrayal of their stories on screen. Stories about perimenopause, menopause, and the evolving lifestyles of women in their later years need to be brought to the forefront,” she asserts.

While acknowledging the presence of such stories in Hollywood, with actors like Jodie Foster and Meryl Streep, leading the way, Koechlin believes that India needs to produce more narratives on similar lines. “We need to see more of these stories being told here,” she concludes.