Avneet Kaur: ‘Film industry has never been unkind to me’

Transitioning from television to films, Avneet discusses working with Supriya Pathak in Luv Ki Arrange Marriage and announcing her Indo-Vietnamese film at Cannes
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; June 9, 2024)

For Avneet Kaur, Luv Ki Arrange Marriage ticked all the right boxes—from the story to her character to an eclectic and experienced cast. The film revolves around her mother, played by Supriya Pathak and Annu Kapoor, who happens to be her partner’s father, falling in love when the young couple decide to get married.

Thrilled to be part of the ZEE5 film, she shares, “I used to be quite alert, observing Supriya ma’am’s every expression while shooting. It has been a learning experience for me to watch her effortless acting. I love her [career] graph [and the films] she has done. I remember being blown away by her performance in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-leela [2013].”

Days before kicking off promotions for Luv Ki Arrange Marriage, Kaur was at the 77th Cannes Film Festival to announce her upcoming Indo-Vietnamese film, Love In Vietnam, based on the novel Madonna in a Fur Coat. Reflecting on the event, she says, “Being at Cannes felt unreal. For the first time in my life, I was nervous as it was a huge responsibility to represent your country on an international platform. But it was wonderful that India performed so well at the festival.”

She beams with pride, recalling an interaction with a French woman who congratulated her on Payal Kapadia winning top honours for All We Imagine As Light and actor Ansuya Sengupta bagging the best actor award at Cannes. “When I asked her the reason, she said, ‘Your film won a big award.’ That made me so proud as an Indian.”

In her 14-year career, Kaur has transitioned to films after starting with the small screen. Starting with a significant role in Rani Mukerji’s Mardaani (2014), she acknowledges the challenges TV actors face breaking into Bollywood.

“When I was trying to get into films, so many people told me that it was impossible. But the perception has changed so much. I see a camaraderie between actors on TV and in films. The film industry has never been unkind to me for working in television. I am good friends with Varun [Dhawan] and Ananya [Panday]. They have been very nice to me,” says the actor.