Chitrangda Singh, who made her debut in Bollywood with Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi in 2005, went on to do other prominent films like Yeh Saali Zindagi, Desi Boyz, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 and Baazaar. The actress also turned producer in 2018 with a sport-based biopic, Soorma, starring Diljit Dosanjh. Her choice of films have mostly been a tad different and often not fitting into the typical Bollywood leading lady mould.

The actress, who is evidently choosy about the parts she picks to play, tells us that there are certain women in cinema whose careers have always left her inspired and motivated. “Film personalities like Smitaji (Patil), Rekha ji or even Shabana ji (Azmi) have not only impressed us with their body of work in Bollywood which includes glamourous roles, but also set an example by achieving their goals in showbiz. Their passion and grace with which they made their way in the film industry has left me amazed. It is their love for the craft and the way they pursued their career that inspired me,” she says.

Talking about the choice of films of these supremely talented leading ladies, Chitrangda adds, “Their films like Mandi (1983) and Mirch Masala (1986) have inspired me and have been a reason for me to be a part of Bollywood. Also, how can we forget the performance of Rekha ji in Umrao Jaan (1981)? These women have truly been an inspiration.”

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; September 14, 2020)

In the current scenario with most businesses opening up, even the film industry is gradually getting back into action while maintaining the guidelines laid down by the authorities. Of course, there have also been instances where TV shows, which had resumed shooting, came to a halt when crew members tested positive for the virus. In the midst of all this, there was also the talk of how to shoot scenes that required a large number of people in it or scenes that demand a certain level of intimacy between the cast. Chitrangda Singh, who is waiting to resume the shoot of the crime thriller Bob Biswas that also stars Abhishek Bachchan, says, “We are all trying to get back to normal and hope to return to the set soon.”

When asked how difficult it would be to shoot intimate scenes in the current scenario, she says, “Intimacy on screen in times of COVID-19 is an issue that’s being widely talked about, but everything can’t be put on hold. These are personal choices.” She further explains, “Even for my surgery (an ACL knee surgery that she underwent recently), I wanted to be sure that the hospital ward was secure. I also underwent a Coronavirus test and it was negative. Likewise, actors should undergo COVID test before resuming shoot, especially if the film entails intimate scenes. You can’t be worried on the set. You have to feel confident. I doubt if you can tweak the script. Certain amount of intimacy will be required if the story demands it.”

The actress was shooting for Bob Biswas in Kolkata when the lockdown was implemented. Talking about what is keeping her positive through these trying times, she says, “To be honest, you have to try harder on some days than others, as things can get to you. The one thing that keeps me positive is that I keep myself busy. I just wrote a short film. I play golf and enjoy horse riding. There’s too much going on right now and there’s no way you can change that. So, just go, get up and do something.”

As told to Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 15, 2020)

I had already started modeling when Gulzar saab discovered me. He saw an audition tape of mine for a talcum powder brand. I guess I made an impression on him because even though I did not land the commercial, I got to feature in one of his albums, which was a collaboration with his daughter Meghna, Vishal (Bhardwaj) and singers Bhupinder Singh and K S Chithra. The music video featured Sanjay Suri and me in a beautiful love story. Someone who saw the video suggested my name to Sudhir (Mishra, director) for the leading lady of his political-drama Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, and that’s how I entered films.

When I started, I was very nervous. The camera wasn’t intimidating, it was all those people in the room, dozens of them. As a model, I was used to having just two to three people on a shoot. A movie set is completely different. It took me a while to focus on what I was doing and not get distracted by what others were up to.

My first shot was in a guest house. My character, Geeta Rao, is lying on the bed, waiting for her lover, Siddharth (played by Kay Kay), to come to her. There were no dialogues, I was just supposed to lie there and think about him. When I hear him coming through the window, I was supposed to get up and pull the curtains. That was it. The shot had to reflect Geeta’s excited anticipation as well as the guilt that came from cheating on her husband. I had to portray what she was thinking, without words.

Given that it was my first shot in my very first film, it was a little daring. Since I had no lines, I did some improvisations of my own. I played around with my bun, let it loosen a bit, moved around a bit… The shot was okayed in the first take. Everyone on the set, especially Sudhir, was nervous. Perhaps my director was wondering if I would be able to carry off this difficult scene, since I had only done modelling before this film. I was told later that the reason I wasn’t given any dialogue was because they did not want me to get worked up over my lines. It was like an initiation ceremony which ended with everybody clapping appreciatively. Sudhir doesn’t talk much, but the fact that he was ready to move on to the next shot meant that he was satisfied and that boosted my confidence.

Haazaron Khwaishein Aisi was a difficult debut, and I give Sudhir full credit for helping me through it. There was a scene where I am screaming at the guys in the police station, afraid that I might be raped. He was really considerate, retaining only a select few on the set and making sure that everyone kept quiet. You don’t realise it at the time it is happening because you are new to the business, but in retrospect, I understand that this really helped enhance my performance. It’s a different ballgame now; newcomers are fully prepared. They have hung around the sets already or have been put through the drill in acting classes. For me, it was quite the shocker!

Chitrangda Singh says that she has been taking life slow during the lockdown and adds that one must extend a helping hand to those in need to the best of their capacity
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 24, 2020)

Chitrangda Singh is making sure that she doesn’t lose touch with her craft even as she sits at home during the Coronavirus lockdown. As a result, she has taken to a video-sharing platform to make lip-sync videos on yesteryear classics. But she confides that she has been missing being on a set. “I think we all miss working, being creative and productive. I was supposed to finish Bob Biswas and start with another script. But as fate would have it, the script is still being worked upon and fine-tuned,” she says.

The actor says that though it’s important to remain active at this time, one shouldn’t submit to the herd and look at productivity as pressure. She shares, “It’s good and important to be productive but I don’t feel that we need to put any kind of pressure on ourselves. It’s just important to go with the flow as nothing is in our control right now. I like to get up at a certain time and work out but beyond that, I don’t feel compelled to do anything in particular. I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all.”

Singh believes that social responsibility should be at the top of our priority list now. She explains, “At times like these, any amount of help is not enough. Like most of us, I’m also monetarily helping a friend, who distributes meals to the needy. I guess what we can do is set examples and influence people to reach out to those who don’t have shelter and are without the means to buy food.”

The Baazaar (2018) actor says that the best way of dealing with the crisis is to accept the reality and be prepared “to tackle the situation”. She elaborates, “I was anxious after looking at the number of deaths and positive cases. There has been a rise and the numbers are doubling up. There will be loss of life and money, and the economy (will falter). But I believe that if we follow the instructions and keep ourselves mentally strong, we can overcome this.”

Chitrangda Singh explains why she is selective about work, admits direction is on her bucket list
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 15, 2020)

For Chitrangda Singh, the lockdown, enforced to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic, is a time to bond with her son Zorawar. “His safety is most important and it feels good to be around him,” says the actress from Delhi, admitting that after initially enjoying time off from work, the self-isolation is now weighing heavy. “You start out missing the outside, then reach a stage when you enjoy being home, then… Emotions are see-sawing.”

She shares that when she was growing up, a friend of her father’s told her that it’s good to be bored sometimes because this pushes you to explore and discover new things about yourself. “I’m sure when we look back at this time in future, we will think of all the good that came out of it,” she asserts. So, what has she discovered about herself? “That I can make a very good mud brownie cake anytime,” Chitrangda laughs, admitting that she’s baking again after years and has also done some charcoal sketches, which is another hobby she has gone back to.

She will next be seen in Sujoy Ghosh’s Bob Biswas opposite Abhishek Bachchan. It’s been almost two years since her last onscreen outing, Baazaar. The actress insists she’s being selective for a reason. “I was just waiting for the right project with the right people. I didn’t want to only play the emancipated woman, one who is either a superwoman or a seductress. If I’m not happy, it is difficult for me to show up at work every day. I am in a good space right now and happy that I took the time,” she reasons.

On the subject of her next, she says she’s been wanting to work with Sujoy for a while. “I love the way he portrays women in his films. We came close to working together once before, but it didn’t work out,” she shares, going on to rave about “amazing actor” Abhishek and how he underplays his role. “Saif (Ali Khan, her Baazaar co-star) is also a subtle actor with his own nuances. Ditto Abhishek, who is also a walking encyclopedia with so much to share.”

Chitrangda was shooting for the film in Kolkata when the outbreak brought everything to a halt. “I was supposed to start another film after wrapping up Bob Biswas around this time, but now everything has been pushed indefinitely,” she sighs.

In 2018, she turned producer with the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer, Soorma, a biopic on India’s former hockey captain, Sandeep Singh. She had also announced a sequel to it. Prod her on this and she says, “I have the rights to another person’s incredible life story, who is also a real-life hero. We have a director and writer on board and the script is being developed. We were waiting for some things to fall into place when the pandemic struck. It has been in limbo since, but the film will definitely be made. Stories of underdogs rising attract me and Soorma 2 will be no different. It won’t be a sportsperson, but the story is as inspiring.”

Five years ago, Chitrangda did a special song, “Aao Raja”, in Akshay Kumar’s Gabbar Is Back. Any other song in the offing? “No. I did that for Akshay and Mr Bhansali (Sanjay Leela Bhansali, producer). I am always open to experimentation and to doing something new. That’s also why I started writing and producing,” she points out. Direction next? “No plans yet, but it’s on my bucket list, as is wakeboarding. I tried it once and was horrible at it. But some friends tried it and found it exciting, so I want to get better at it. When things get back to normal, I’d like to take a trip to Bali maybe,” she signs off.

Mirror reader Akshay Chandelkar shares his experience of meeting Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi actor Chitrangda Singh
As told to Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 22, 2019)

I’ve been a major fan of Chitrangda Singh ever since I watched Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi in 2005. So, getting to meet her in person was an experience I will cherish forever. When I was introduced to her “as a techie from Pune”, she said was planning to visit the city the following week. “You didn’t need to travel to Mumbai,” she said, leaving me utterly speechless with her radiant smile.

I told her that I had taken a day off from work citing a “personal emergency”, which, in a way, was true. After all, it’s not every day that you get a chance to meet your life-long crush in a candid setting. We were at a compact office space in Andheri’s bustling entertainment district, which Chitrangda shared, was her office. “This is where I sit and work on scripts with my writers,” she said, adding that she’s presently developing another real-life inspired story after her debut as producer in Soorma, the biopic based on the life of Indian hockey champ, and now, sports minister of Haryana, Sandeep Singh.

As a die-hard fan, I was curious to learn why the actress had shied away from OTT platforms, which seem to be having a moment. “No web series for now, I have got offers to work in a few but I am a bit wary of them. It needs a lot better writing and time,” she said, with a disclaimer, “unless something really interesting comes up”.

On learning that Hazaaron Khwaaishein Aisi is my favourite film, she shared that her character in it was loosely based on Shaad Ali’s mother Shubhashini, who worked with tribals and whom the actor only met when the film turned 15 and director Sudhir Mishra hosted a party. “A lot of people connect largely with the love story and only those who are aware of the circumstances that prevailed during the Emergency, like Sudhir, understand the rest.”

In the age of oversharing, Singh happens to be one of those rare actresses who hardly reveals much about of her life on social media. While I knew that she loves musky scents and her favourite perfume happens to be Chloe, there’s little else that one knows about the actress.

“Social media gets a bit exhibitionist. ‘Oh, I look so hot while having coffee’. Of course, you do, so what? Everyone has their own comfort level about what they want to share and how much,” she says, adding that while she’s active on Instagram, her posts are largely related to work. “In fact, most of my friends and family are in Delhi. Here [in Mumbai], work gets you in touch with some people.”

Constantly shuttling between Mumbai and Delhi, the actor shares that she’s often mobbed by fans, who often want to click a selfie to share with their partners. “I always meet women who come up to me, requesting a selfie for their husbands.” While intrusive fans get her “thoda uncomfortable”, she admits that “every artist enjoys the attention”.

Another phenomenon that has become unavoidable for people in her fraternity is the need to be eternally prepared for the paparazzi. “It gets painful at times. I would be in a T-shirt and jeans all the time if I could have it my way, but now I have to carry my heels where ever I go,” she says, adding that excessive media attention extended to film actors is intrusive, and yet, contributes to their brand. “I would like to quote Rishi Kapoor who once said this about the media cramping one’s personal space: ‘Damned if they do, damned if they don’t’,” she says. 

Rishabh Deb and Sushmita Jha (BOMBAY TIMES; May 3, 2019)

A doting mother, actress, producer and writer in the making – Chitrangda Singh dons many hats. From garnering critical acclaim in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, to taking a sabbatical and later producing the biographical sports film Soorma, her career in Bollywood has been eventful. As a mother to 10-year-old Zorawar, her priorities in life have definitely changed over time, but her quest to do experimental roles and quality work continues. Chitrangda spoke to us about films, politics and why it is important to have an opinion. Excerpts:

We have seen you in very few films over the years...
It wasn’t a choice and neither was I being selective. I think it is about the kind of roles being offered to me. There would be a lot of stuff out there that I would love to do, but it doesn’t get offered to me. Sometimes the kind of stuff that is offered to me is something that I don’t want to do. So it is because of this that the audience has seen me in few films. Some people think now I only want to produce and don’t want to act. That’s not true. Once an actor, always an actor and I don’t have any qualms admitting that I am greedy for good roles. Currently, I am discussing a bilingual film with Mahesh Manjrekar, which is in Hindi and Marathi.

You produced Soorma, which was based on hockey player Sandeep Singh. What was the experience like?
Working as a producer was immensely satisfying and what made it even better was the response the film received. The audience loved Soorma. I am so glad that I could fulfil the promise that I made to Sandeep Singh. Bringing his story to the light and giving the audience an insight into his hard work and his life was very satisfying.

In your acting career, you have taken two long breaks. Was it difficult getting back to the screen?
These breaks that I took were not a strategy or planned. There were things that you need to prioritise. But during these breaks, I realised a lot of things. I realised how much I love doing cinema and how much I loved the whole process of cinema. I discovered different aspects of me. I started writing; I have already written two scripts. And I am extremely glad and thankful that even though I have been away, the audience has still been loving and kind to whatever work I have done.

Are you keen on featuring in a biopic yourself?
It would be the most memorable thing of my acting career if I get to play Smita Patil in her biopic. I have been told that I resemble her, and that itself is an honour to me. I would definitely love to do a biopic on her.

A lot of Bollywood celebs are campaigning for political parties these days and expressing their opinion on political issues. Given a chance, would you campaign?
I think it is a very individual choice whether you want to have an opinion on everything which is out there or not. Somewhere, because we are public figures, we can bring attention to important things and issues. We are asked for our opinions because we can influence someone. But at the same time, I don’t think we should have an opinion on everything for the heck of having one. When you are opinionated, there lies a huge responsibility that comes with what you say. There needs to be a lot of balance. But at the same time, you should be who you are. I think it is great that some people have come out and said exactly what they think, despite being trolled for the same.

There are a lot of public figures who also prefer to stay silent. Do you think they have a responsibility to speak up?
I don’t think you should chicken out of expressing an opinion simply because you want to please someone and you do not want to stand by something. But again, it’s an individual choice. If you ask me, I definitely think you should speak and stand by things that you believe in. Fear of something or someone shouldn’t stop you from stating an opinion. 

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; October 20, 2018)

There’s more to her than just a glamorous personality. She’s a talented artiste and now a film producer, too. Chitrangda Singh has donned several hats in her career that took off back in 2003. She admits that she wasn’t looking to be an actor, and hence wasn’t focussed on making it big in the profession. While her acting career hasn’t seen a high in a long spell, her first production, Soorma, has cemented her space as a film producer. In conversation with BT, Chitrangda talks about her forthcoming film, Baazaar, why only actresses are asked about catfights and why the #MeToo campaign has found approval in India, too. Excerpts…

Baazaar is your second release of the year, earlier, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 didn’t turn out as you would have wished for. Given that your role in Baazaar isn’t all that long, what sort of expectations do you have from the film?
It’s very important because every film counts. It either adds to you as an actor or just affects your career. It doesn’t always come out looking the way you expect it to. Your performance is not highlighted the way you wanted it to be. So, Baazaar is important, because Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 didn’t get the response we expected. I wasn’t happy with the way things turned out for me in particular.

You also turned producer this year with Soorma, a sports drama. Your foray into production was unexpected.
Firstly, I think everyone knows that I wasn’t doing much work since 2014-15. I was also going through a bad patch in my personal life. While I was away from movies, I found time to work on ideas that I had written a long time ago and I started developing scripts. That’s the time when I met hockey player Sandeep Singh and because I was in a writing zone, I penned his story. It turned out to be an unbelievable idea for a film, better than anything I could think of. I decided to make the film and because I took the rights, I promised him that it will be made without any concoctions. So, eventually, I turned producer, but I was more involved with the creative side. It was a great learning curve and while you’re just on the creative side, it’s still a lot of work. It took us a while to find a corporate partner, because the response to the script initially wasn’t welcoming. A lot of biopics were in the pipeline at that time. Besides, no one expected me to produce a film. The thought was, ‘Arey, isko bhi producer banne ka shaukh chadha hai. Sabko producer banna hai.’ I heard that line quite often. I’ll give them the benefit of doubt, because people are hesitant till you don’t prove yourself, which is fair.

Is it tough to balance between acting and film production?
The worlds overlap to a large extent, which is why so many male actors have been doing it for years. It just gets you more ownership and control of a project that you anyway invest so much in. In the male actor’s case, it’s also their name and image that matters. With Soorma, I’ve just familiarised myself with the process of film production. It’s not that simple, you have to make a few films and experience things to learn what it is like to be a producer.

Women started making films as early as 1926 but even today, their numbers are dismal when compared to the men. Also, a woman’s entry into the filmmaking business is often met with scepticism.
I don’t blame people. I don’t want to make this about men and women. Both male and female actors will be asked as many questions if they change tracks. You need to prove yourself in the film industry. Once you’ve done that, no one asks questions. If Anushka Sharma wants to make a film tomorrow, no one will question her now. It takes time and a few films to get there. Yes, we do need more women to make films, which will make it look as normal as it is for men.

Although you have a relatively smaller role in Baazaar, do you think women, overall have been getting better-written parts than before?
The audience just doesn’t want to watch formulaic films anymore. There is a change and women are becoming more integral to the storytelling process. The characters don’t always have to be feminists and/or inclined towards women’s liberation. Take Alia Bhatt in Raazi for instance. You don't need a man to carry the plot ahead. This is the reality of life. That’s how important women really are.

At the trailer launch of Baazaar, Radhika Apte and you were asked about being comfortable with each other during the shoot. Two men working together seldom brave questions about being comfortable while sharing screen space. Why do you think such questions are posed only to women?
Were Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor asked the same question? I think it’s the nature of the profession. Actors, irrespective of their gender, are greedy and selfish about scripts and roles. They seek the best for themselves because they’re trying to impress the audience. They want to be seen, and seen well. Having said that, I don’t know why men are rarely asked questions about how it was working with their male co-star because they are just as concerned as women are about their role, work and space. I think women are asked such questions because they are perceived as people who fight. Probably, they really have to fight to get what they deserve because nothing ever comes easy for them. Women are anyway more expressive, volatile and emotional than men. Among my cousins, my brothers fought lesser than my sisters. It’s not about being sexist; it’s just that women are more vocal and expressive, and not in a negative way. It’s so refreshing that we’re fiery and spontaneous unlike most men, who are so prim, proper and practical.

Two years ago, you had stormed out of the film Babumoshai Bandookbaaz, because you didn’t agree with the kind of (intimate) scene you were asked to shoot.
I was crying on the set when he (Kushan Nandy, director) kept on telling me that I have to do as he tells me to. He was almost frantic when he jumped on the bed and started showing me how to rub myself against Nawazuddin Siddiqui. At one point, even Nawaz walked away from there. I don’t know if that is me being fiery; that’s just me. There was a female producer and a female make-up artist and everyone watched silently. It’s so strange. Today, I support Tanushree Dutta and everyone else who has spoken up about times when they experienced horrible things at work. Better late than never! You know what? It was being reported back then as well, but it wasn’t getting picked up. I think with the #MeToo campaign in the West, the cause has found some sort of approval here, too. I just hope men who are supporting this movement aren’t just doing it for the sake of sounding cool.

Why do you think women often choose to remain silent after hostile experiences?
In our society, it’s widely accepted that men need not be penalised for sexual exploitation. It’s just taken for granted. I know of mothers who would look away if their little girls tell them about being sexually targeted by someone. We hear of these stories, I have seen my friend go through this when I was in class eight. It’s in our nature to feel ashamed when something happens to us and not confront men when they wrong us. Now that we are talking, we have sent out a message that no one needs to be quiet, that the fabric of our society needs to change.

It’s been 15 years since Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, but your career didn’t quite add up to the promise you showed in your debut film.
When I look back at my filmography, I, too, feel that it’s a little too random. Maybe, the reason is that I didn’t look to become an actor and so I didn't have a strategy. Luckily, I debuted with a film like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. Then, I took a six year break, because I wasn’t looking to work at that time. Eventually, I realised acting is my true calling and I came back here. I’ve been in and out of the profession since then. When you stay away from your work space for too long, you suffer. Six years is a very long time to pick up from where you left off. I made some big mistakes — I refused some really big films, which I shouldn’t have. The breaks I took to sort out my personal life also took a toll on my repertoire, but I am grateful that my work has been decent enough to keep me relevant. That’s the reason I continue to find work and now, produce films. I think I have got far more acknowledgement than the volume of work that I have done.

What do you think kept you going during your tough times?
I didn’t have a choice; I just had to keep going. The one thing that kept me happy and excited was cinema and that’s probably why I started writing. I’ve penned two scripts — a love story and a children’s film. I plan to make at least one of them next year. I also produced a film which saved me in a way. I had to find something to keep me excited. This is just the amount of perfection you can possibly manage in a lifetime.

Chitrangda Singh revisits the torturous shoot of Kushan Nandy’s 2017 directorial
As told to Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR (October 13, 2018)

While working on Babumoshai Bandookbaaz (2016), Nawaz (Nawazuddin Siddiqui, co-star) and I were supposed to shoot for an intimate scene that was supposed to be “passionate” but described vaguely in the script. When Kushan (Nandy, director) had handed the script over to me almost a year before we started shooting, I had enquired about the scene and how he was planning to shoot it. He responded by saying, “Writers ka kaam hai, who likh dete hain, passion and all. We will see how we shoot it.” When we started filming said scene, he kept on insisting that it needed more passion and subsequently, more takes. After a point, Nawaz told him that it was enough, but he wasn’t convinced and got angry.

When I tried to reason with him, saying that I could only do so much in a sari, he said, “Dono taraf pair karke ragdo.” He insisted that I get on top of Nawaz which I couldn’t do, but he snapped at me, saying, “Upar karo and go astride.” Eventually, he got on top of Nawaz to explain what he wanted me to do. I was teary-eyed by then, but he insisted that I do as he said since he was the director. Nawaz did intervene at this point and told Kushan that he was making my job difficult by using crude language.

Nobody uttered a word and I left for my van. Kushan followed me in. When I refused to do the scene his way, he flung the script at me, which almost hit me, before storming out.

Soon afterwards, I left for the airport and I got a call from my manager informing me that Kushan was already looking for a replacement. During the film’s promotions, both Kushan and Nawaz made light of the incident. At some point, Nawaz said that I had refused to kiss him because he has a dark complexion. Even today I get messages from his fans, questioning me about it.

(Kushan Nandy and Nawazuddin Siddiqui remained unavailable for comment)

Riya Sharma and Unnati Joshi (BOMBAY TIMES; October 9, 2018)

Chitrangda Singh has faced her share of struggles when she ventured into a completely new field — production. The actress spoke to us about the kind of work she chooses to do as an actor and producer, the challenges she faced as a producer and her experience of studying at Lady Irwin College in Delhi.

‘COLLEGE WAS TOO MUCH WORK, I DIDN’T HAVE ANY FUN’
Chitrangda was a Science student before she chose to pursue Home Science in college. She recalls, “I stayed in the college’s hostel for three years. Maine Home Science ye sochke li thi ki being a Science student for so long, I was tired of studying. I thought I don’t want to work this hard, so Home Science leni chahiye. Somebody had told me that it is easy and I didn’t bother to check if that’s true. Admission mil gaya, and that’s when I realised we need to study everything in Home Science — from Zoology, Botany, Chemistry and Textiles to cooking and stitching. I was like, I can’t believe I have jumped into a bigger well from the one I was trying to jump out of. But it was a good experience. I wasn’t excited about the course, but it didn’t turn out to be the way I thought it to be. It was too much work though. I was making night suits for kids and I was stitching blouses so I wasn’t really having any fun.”

‘AS A PRODUCER, I LOOK AT THE VIABILITY OF A PROJECT IN TERMS OF WHETHER PEOPLE WOULD WATCH IT’
Chitrangda’s last project, Soorma, was her first film as a producer. She tells us that when she picks a project as an actress, she looks forward to working with the director. But when she is producing, the first thing she looks at is the viability of the project. “As an actor, you look at the director, and then the producer. Next, you see whether the project would make enough money or not. Being an actor, you are focused on the creative side of the film. As a producer, you look at the viability of the project in terms of whether people would come and watch it. For me, the transition from an actress to a producer had its hiccups. It was not smooth in the beginning, to be honest. I had to learn the business aspects of the industry. I was more excited about the creative side of films, which is something that I had been a part of since day one,” she tells us.

Many actresses who have turned producers have accepted that it is not easy to be a female producer in the industry. “It wasn’t smooth. I don’t know how fair it is to say this, but there is a reason why people give you a bit of a tough time. Being an actress, I didn’t know the business end and people had their doubts. It takes time to prove yourself and show people that you understand the project you are backing. Other than that, I have been very lucky as I haven’t faced many problems,” she shares.

‘SAIF HAS A MEAN SENSE OF HUMOUR’
Her next movie Bazaar releases next month, and she plays Saif Ali Khan’s wife in the film. “It was lovely working with Saif. He has got amazing timing as an actor and he makes it look very effortless. It is because he rehearses and puts a lot of work into it. He is fun on sets and has a very mean sense of humour which sometimes amazes me, but he is wonderful,” she signs off.
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‘WE, AS A SOCIETY, SHOULD SUPPORT TANUSHREE DUTTA’
At a recent event in Mumbai, Chitrangda spoke out in support of Tanushree Dutta. “If it is the truth and even if you speak about it after five years or 10 years, we must listen to it, give importance to it and do justice to it. I support Tanushree. She has taken 10 years to talk about it. In rape or molestation cases, most of the times, the victim doesn’t feel confident to speak about it immediately. But whenever they want to express themselves, then as a society, we should support them and give them a hearing at least.”

Chitrangda had also walked out of Babumoshai Bandookbaaz, citing discomfort shooting intimate scenes with co-star Nawazuddin Siddiqui. “That was my stand to walk out of the film. I believe that nobody gave importance to that matter that time. But that doesn’t matter, because now the media is doing an amazing job. The #MeToo movement shouldn’t be just about copying the West.”

— IANS

From its energy to street food, there’s much to flirt with in this city, says the actress
Lasyapriya Sundaram (BOMBAY TIMES; June 18, 2018)

Chitrangda Singh, who has made Mumbai her home because of her career in the movies, rates the city high on food, fashion and shopping.

“I am not from Mumbai, but I want to share my little experiences of exploring and ‘flirting with the city’,” she says, adding that she would like to begin with Bandra. She believes that some of the best cafes and eateries in the city are ensconced there.

“It has a bunch of amazing restaurants with different cuisines. While some places cater to health food junkies, others exclusively serve juices. There are also places offering Japanese food and just cookies. You also find delicious seafood in this part of the city,” raves Chitrangda, as she lists out more such examples. Having travelled around the world and sampled its culture, she does not hesitate to compare the city with its international counterparts, especially when it comes to street food.

“If you enjoy the eateries on the streets of Paris and New York, then this city is definitely there. In fact, if I were to pick a place in the city and call it the Paris of Mumbai, that would be Bandra. So, if you’re looking for street-side cafes and eateries of that level, flirt with Bandra,” she suggests.

Chitrangda is also quite impressed with the shopping options Mumbai has to offer. Quiz her about interesting places to shop in the city and the actress reveals, “Chor Bazaar in South Mumbai is a good option. I picked up a small bronze sculpture there, which dates back to the 1800s. It is made by a famous American sculptor, who only makes figures of cowboys and horses. He is so well-known that his work adorns the US President’s office.”

Fashion is another reason to be in Mumbai. “Since the fashion industry and Bollywood are based in the city, many new designers prefer to showcase their collections here. Several designers also have their stores in and around Bandra and SoBo,” the actress elaborates.

Chitrangda, however, feels that the one quality that sets the city apart from the rest in the country is its vibrance. “What I love about Mumbai is that it’s always buzzing with energy,” she sums up.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 8, 2018)

Chitrangda Singh, who took off on an eight-day family holiday to Kashmir recently, admits that picturesque countries like Switzerland and Australia are not a patch on Gulmarg and Pahalgam. “I have travelled to many places in the world but there really is nothing like Kashmir,” raves the actress, pointing out that this is her fifth trip to the Valley.

The holiday doubled up as a lesson in fishing with Chitrangda indulging in fly fishing, an angling method using an artificial fly. “We also went trout-fishing, which is a cold-water fish and requires a lot of patience. I wanted to learn this for a long time and got a chance to do so on this trip,” she adds.

The group also trekked from Pahalgam towards Sheshnag Lake and took a short trek around Gulmarg. “We had local friends guiding us but we couldn’t camp overnight anywhere. That’s something I would’ve loved to do,” she says, quick to add that she visited Dachigam National Park instead, a 141 km landscape located 22 km from Srinagar. “It’s really huge and beautiful. We rented cycles for easy travel.”

Chitrangda, who went on a shopping spree with Pashmina shawls and a carpet, points out that she was recognised by tourists but most locals didn’t know her. “Kashmir hasn’t had theatres in the longest time and the locals are disconnected from films. But they’re big on cricket and I spotted them playing it a lot,” she informs.

The actress, who recently wrapped up filming Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 alongside Sanjay Dutt, and will next be seen with Saif Ali Khan in Gauravv Chawla’s Bazaar, has never filmed in the Valley. “I love to go back to Kashmir for short trips. The first time I ever tried skiing was in Gulmarg, which remains an unforgettable experience,” she says.

This year, she’s also turned producer with Shaad Ali’s sports-biopic Soorma featuring Diljit Dosanjh and Taapsee Pannu.