It’s hard for Kirti Kulhari to pinpoint the reason that made her choose Shaadisthan — it could well be the character, the central theme or the lure of a road-trip film. “My character Sasha is sorted and empowered. She came across as a person I am hoping to become some day,” begins the actor.

The Raj Singh Chaudhary-directed venture revolves around four free-spirited musicians, including Sasha, whose lives collide with that of a small-town couple and their daughter as they travel together from Mumbai to Rajasthan. “I knew it was a small film, but I gravitated towards it because it’s the kind of movie that has to be made. The budgets and resources were limited, but our heart was in the right place.”

Since Pink (2016), Kulhari has portrayed emotionally strong characters that leave her viewers inspired. Be it Anjana Menon in Four More Shots Please! or Sasha in the upcoming Disney+ Hotstar film, the actor says she has consciously picked these roles. “Life is no longer happening to me; I am making it happen. I am choosing my work carefully. It’s not about playing an empowered woman all the time. The reason I did Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors was to explore the other side of the spectrum, where she was a victim. That said, I want viewers to take something back with them, through my subjects. I could play a victim, and yet the subject of the series will stay with people. As artistes, we are always in a position to choose. As an actor, I want to leave people with a fresh perspective.”

Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 15, 2020)

Recently the Berlin International Film Festival announced a decision to present a gender-neutral award instead of the Best Actor and Best Actress. While actor Kirti Kulhari understands and appreciates the sentiment behind the decision, she feels it wasn’t really needed.

“I see no difference between a male and female. Having said that, I like the idea of males and females being awarded differently and separately for their efforts. While we are fighting for a gender-neutral society, which is great, I think it’s also being pushed to an extent that I feel is not necessary. I like the distinction between a male and a female and how they individually are enough in themselves because they have their own strengths and weaknesses,” says the Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019) actor.

Though the impact of this announcement on other award shows is yet to be seen, Kulhari surmises it’s very likely that world over award organisers will follow suit. “We tend to follow the frenzy towards good or bad things, especially now with the world going through its own revolution, through which a lot of people are coming forward to make a difference to the way the society is — to change it for the better. A lot of people wouldn’t want to be left behind or be called out for not supporting this,” she says.

There are also concerns being raised that such format may reduce the number of awards women get for their work, as there aren’t many strong roles written for them. Sharing her opinion on it, the actor says, “Honestly, we’ll see how this idea of making it gender-neutral works and the direction it takes. I think there’s an entire movement that the world is going through for women as well. Considering that, I think it’ll not affect the kind of roles women are being offered, the number of roles offered to them and the content that’s written for them. It’s possible for this movement to go hand-in-hand with the cause of gender neutrality.”

Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 2, 2020)

Kirti Kulhari is a big fan of web content and the reach that OTT platforms offer. And maybe that’s why when asked her take on the current OTT versus theatre release debate, the actor doesn’t see any problem if a maker wants to choose either of them during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

Kulhari tells us, “Everyone is looking out for themselves, which is understandable. The whole theatre thing is a big question mark right now… (There’s no harm in releasing) a film which is ready technically, theatrically. Right now, distributors are at the receiving end. Rather than letting everyone suffer, somebody can get their money back if they have a deal.”

Citing the global viewership of web content, the actor, 35, explains, “OTT platforms are there in 140 countries. The kind of reach is humongous, so why not? It’s not (the time) to get sentimental about things. Producers take their chance to secure themselves first and (also) have a reach, which is what every filmmaker looks for. If you have finished the film, do you want to wait for whatever time or ultimately get it out?”

However, she doesn’t deny that cinema has its own charm and maintains that nothing else can replace that experience. “Cinema is very experiential. It’s about experiencing something on a 70 mm screen. That’s irreplaceable. But practically speaking, I also feel that OTT has worked out very well in terms of my work reaching a lot of people,” shares Kulhari.

Kirti Kulhari on her decade-long journey in showbiz; says she’s open to working in sequel of her debut, Khichdi
Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 20, 2020)

Kirti Kulhari entered films with Khichdi: The Movie in 2010, but it was six years later, that she hit pay dirt with Pink. “I could have easily vanished but I am glad I didn’t submit to norms and survived,” she asserts while taking stock of a decade in showbiz.

Kirti was a known face in the ad world before acting happened and informs that she got her first two films — Khichdi and Shaitan — simultaneously. “Even their dates clashed, but fortunately, Shaitan got pushed by six-seven months,” she recalls, adding that Khichdi defied her expectations. “Playing a dumb girl was liberating. I have watched the film at least 10 times in theatres. I loved how people would go berserk over anything we did on screen.”

Actor-producer J D Majethia recently told Mirror (April 25) that he is looking at different platforms to take the Khichdi franchise forward. Will she be in it? “J D and Aatish (Kapadia, director) live in the same society as me. Whenever I bump into them, I tell them to make a sequel. They even wrote something, but it didn’t work out. It’s been 10 years, the audience has evolved with time. If it happens, I’d want to be a part of it,” she says.

Kirti has gravitated towards more intense roles with Pink, Indu Sarkar, Uri: The Surgical Strike and Mission Mangal. “I’d always wanted to do something that would make a difference and followed that instinct. Now, I want to explore. I love romcoms and I’m ready to do one,” she avers.

Kirti had a good run last year with the Vicky Kaushal-led Uri and Mission Mangal, featuring Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu and Sonakshi Sinha, among others. She’s ready to do more multistarrers. “I can work with 100 actors, but they should have the right attitude towards work and not focus on who they are. I like to work in a state of equality,” she says.

Next up for Kirti is the Parineeti Chopra-starrer The Girl On The Train remake, in which she plays a cop. The film was to release on May 8 but was deferred in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak. The actress is unfazed, choosing to talk about her character instead, which is different from the original (the 2016 Hollywood film led by Emily Blunt) and has been developed further. “It’s a parallel lead now. My look is something that has never been seen in Indian cinema. It will be a talking point,” she promises.

She is all praise for her co-star, saying, “Parineeti is a bubbly girl who enjoys what she is doing with who she is around. She was simultaneously preparing for the Saina Nehwal biopic, which pushed her out of her comfort zone. We planned to play badminton together so many times, but it never happened.”

And what is her takeaway from the three-month lockdown? “That all we need is a life of minimalism. Also, the idea of planning ahead is pointless,” she notes.

Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 14, 2020)

For Kirti Kulhari, stories that are rooted in reality, and based on real life events strike a deeper chord more than fictional narratives. Last year, the actor featured in Uri: The Surgical Strike, a film based on India’s surgical strike against Pakistan, and Mission Mangal based on India’s first interplanetary expedition. She believes it’s easier to connect with the audience with a story that is inspired from a true event. “I personally get very attracted to films and series that are based on true life events. As an actor, I’ve realised that reality is stranger than fiction and I think that is what fascinates me. Reality is actually so much stranger than whatever one can imagine, think or create in terms of fiction and I love that aspect,” she explains.

Kulhari says that as an actor, working in a film based on real events helps her connect to her character better. “When you know it has happened for real, it inspires you so much more because a part of you believes that something like this is possible and it’s not a figment of someone’s imagination. It makes it more relatable. It makes you believe that the human spirit is strong and it can do and create so much if all energies are in the right direction,” she says stressing on the increasing number of films being made on real stories.

The Indu Sarkar (2017) actor says that doing such films has never been a conscious decision. “For the actor in me, a story is a story, but I do get biased towards real life stories. I’ve never thought of creating a balance between fact and fiction while working in such films. There’s nothing very fictional about telling human stories. (Even in a fiction), the characters that you play are around you and the things that happen to them have happened to different people at different points of time,” Kulhari says.

Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 26, 2020)

“The one thing that I always wanted to do and I hope, am able to do by the next year, is to attend the Republic Day parade in Delhi. It is on my bucket list,” says Kirti Kulhari. She is extremely proud of her father, who was in the navy and her sister, who is in the army. “Another proud moment was last year, when my sister got a chance to help the Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoist the flag. It was a pretty cool moment for all of us in the family,” reveals the Bard of Blood actor.

Kirti admits that she loved her life as a defence kid, including the transfers. “I get bored with the same place but as my dad was in the navy, we didn’t get too many transfers. We lived in Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, for six years and I studied in Kendriya Vidyalaya. I cherish having grown up in the defence environment. The kind of resources and opportunities we get are immense and we don’t value enough. You grow up with people from different religions, communities and castes and it is normal for you to celebrate festivals and accept each other. We were all like a community and were there for each other, no matter who you are or where you come from,” she says.

She reveals that she wanted to join the navy but she didn’t know how serious she was about it back then. Soon, she realised that it was not easy getting into the navy or any of the armed forces. “It was a no-brainer to give it a shot but it didn’t work out. I would have loved to be a part of the armed forces but life had different plans for me,” she says.

Kirti was glad to get the opportunity to play an Indian Air Force pilot in her film, Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019). “This role was and will always be special as I got the chance to be in a uniform. I love pilots and being able to don the uniform of a pilot was a high. I don’t regret not being able to be a part of the armed forces anymore,” she signs off.

With short film Charu on the anvil, Kirti Kulhari is enjoying the best of both worlds - cinema and digital space
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; September 10, 2019)

After winning accolades for the short film, Maya, Kirti Kulhari is set to experiment with another short, Charu, which deals with a loveless marriage. The actor, who has an enviable line-up of web series and films, talks about straddling different mediums with ease.

Edited excerpts from the interview.

You're Successfully Juggling Films With Web Series And Short Films. Is That A Calculated Move?
I don't believe in restricting myself to a medium, especially when so many platforms are available to tell different stories. Why limit myself? Thankfully, the kind of work I have been doing has influenced the parts I am being offered now, in terms of quality. I am open to all mediums; they help you reach a wider audience.

Tell Us About Your Upcoming Short Film, Charu.
It is a gothic romance along the lines of Rebecca [1940] and Mahal [1949]. Its unreliable narrative explores loneliness in a decaying marriage. It's also a story about the monstrosity of love. Sohum Shah [co-star] was a lot of fun to work with.

Director Pavan Kirpalani Has Been Mostly Associated With Horror. How Was It Tackling A Different Genre With Him?
I have enjoyed Pavan's work in the past. I am also a fan of the horror genre; I feel as excited watching it as I am scared post it. I like Pavan's sensibilities as a director, he has explored the genre in an interesting manner. I admire his approach to filmmaking and his creative bent of mind.

You Also Have The Second Season Of Four More Shots Please In The Pipeline.
We have finished the shoot. It will release in 2020. It is going to be bigger and better!

Do You Track The Number Of Views Or Box-Office Collections Of Your Projects?
I check box-office figures of my films. Being on social media, you can't escape them. Even if you don't want to look at the numbers, they are right in front of you. In terms of web shows, we don't know the exact number of views, but we get an idea of how well a series is doing.

Your Last Film Mission Mangal Fared Well At The Box-Office. Did It Benefit You The Way You Expected It To?
When you are part of a film that does well, everyone associated benefits from it and in different ways — it could be tangible, or not. Mission Mangal has not just registered huge numbers, it has also been loved by people. Of course, the box-office numbers help your career. So, it has done its job for me as an actor.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 11, 2019)

As women, trying to find their feet in their respective industries on their own terms, Nithya Menen and Kirti Kulhari have come a long way. Nithya has had her share of well-crafted characters in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films, while Kirti has played pivotal parts in films like Pink and Uri: The Surgical Strike. The two ladies will be seen sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Vidya Balan and Taapsee Pannu in the upcoming Mission Mangal. The actresses spoke to BT about this ambitious project, finding work on their own terms and why it’s not important to force-fit oneself in any one notion of beauty. Excerpts:

With eight acclaimed actors leading the cast of Mission Mangal, was it difficult to find your space in the narrative?
Kirti: Once upon a time, there were films like Jaani Dushman (1979), which had so many big names in the lead. When I am offered a film with multiple actors in the key cast, I feel relieved that I don’t have to do much; there’s not much riding on me (laughs!).
Nithya: To me, a film like that sounds like it that has many strong characters. This is not even a point of consideration for me. A good story demands actors to work together and make it believable. This is not about any one of us. I don’t ever think in terms of how many people I am sharing the lead space with. With the narration that I heard for Mission Mangal, it was obvious that it was a story of a mission that a team of scientists accomplished together. So, there was ample for each one of us.
Kirti: On a serious note, it’s really good that such stories are being told. It was the story that attracted me to the film. I’m glad that with films like Uri: The Surgical Strike and Mission Mangal, stories behind landmark events are reaching far and wide. People will know how we achieved something that was considered nearly impossible. Films like these educate and entertain without becoming overbearing. When I was approached for it, apart from the narration, I was amazed with the names that had come on board. The treatment was light and fun. When you hear the word mission, you tend to think it’s a serious film, but this is a slice-of-life movie. And with Akshay Kumar in the cast, it turned out to be more fun than I had imagined.
Nithya: This isn’t a run-of-the-mill kind of a film. It’s a space film, something that hasn’t been attempted before. It was an interesting premise for me. It’s my first Hindi film, and I wanted to make sure that I am in the right team. I’ve been offered Hindi films before but the approach and the reasoning Balki and director Jagan Shakti had for casting me seemed right to me. They were familiar with my work and I was specifically needed for this part. After a point, the language and the industry I was stepping into didn’t matter. I looked at it the way I would see any other film that I give a nod to.

The camaraderie, between Sonakshi Sinha, Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu and the two of you was visible on the day of the trailer launch. With so many talented women and cool women as part of the cast, was it like a house on fire. People often have this reservation about so many actresses getting along and working together…
Kirti: We didn’t have to stage that camaraderie; it exists between us. And can someone explain how do men get along? I think they have more issues than women do when it comes to getting along with each other. I’ve done Pink and some other projects, and so I am used to hanging out with other women. Akshay spoilt all of us equally on the set with his ghar ka khaana. We could shamelessly ask him to bring things. The atmosphere on the set was warm; why is that hard to buy? With someone like Nithya on the set, we got so many insights into how the South film industry functions. The things she (Nithya) stands for in the South and the kind of films she eventually does, is what I am trying to do here. She’s fought for so many things to finally be able to do things on her own terms. Also, when we got the script, we all knew what each one was doing in the film. So, we just got down to work and passionately did what our parts required. None of us was bothered about what the other was trying to do with their part. At the end of the day, we had to be the characters and do what is needed for them to feel real. That is what people will eventually remember when they see the film.
Nithya: I was making my debut in Bollywood, and I felt it was wonderful being on a set like this. It was very different and far more professional than a set down South. Also, I have never done a film with so many women in the past. All the women in the cast were good to me. They didn’t let me feel like an outsider in their world. In a way, I was a debutante, but I was treated at par with all of them. They respected and acknowledged my work. We appreciated each other for pulling off a scene well or for anything else one of us did. A film is bigger than any of us. We’ve collectively tried to do something, which could not have been marred by personal rivalries. Thankfully, we were all on the same page. Competing with each other, especially when we are all playing equally important characters, doesn’t work. It’s a wrong notion that any of us would have tried to show one-upmanship. We worked together to bring out the best in each other, displaying our strengths to the fullest.

It’s taken the industry quite long to start making ensemble films without giving into stereotypes. Why do you think films have only now started playing to an actor’s strengths more than his or her face value?
Kirti: For decades, the film industries in the South and here have functioned on the star system. People have thronged to cinemas to catch a particular star’s film and that has driven a lot of things. But things are gradually changing. While we continue to make stereotypical multi-starrers, films with a hefty cast that don’t play by those rules are also on the rise. We have taken a long time to be okay with so many of us working together in a film with equally prominent roles. Hollywood has had such films for decades. Today’s generation is far more secure in that sense. Also, it takes a lot of security for an actor at an individual level to decide to share screen space with another buddy, who is as famous as him or her.
Nithya: Things are changing right now because of the exposure that the audience has to international content. It’s more accessible to us than it ever was. That has made people sit up and take note of everything from performances and stories, to the technical aspects of a film. The film industry in India is playing catch-up, which is beneficial for everyone. Newer platforms have made people realise that you don’t need a face to sell a good story; you need the right mix of actors who may or may not be stars. That is gradually rubbing off on the rest of the industries.

The film industry has certain expectations of how a leading lady should look, and you both don’t really fit into that conventional box. What are your thoughts?
Kirti: At the outset, I was doing ad films. I had the options of going completely commercial or taking off on the path that I am on to today. It was a given that I might go the commercial route but somewhere along the way, I started understanding myself better. I wisened up and adhered to the fact that I was gravitating to some very different kind of work. I’ve been through that phase of being unsure of how I look. In such phases, people around you often advise you, to the point of not even letting a pimple pass by without a comment. At one point, I wasn’t happy with the way I looked. I had issues with it. Today, things are different but getting here has been a journey of understanding what can keep me sane. For the sake of a character, I will do anything, even go bald if need be. But at a personal level, I want to be an individual who doesn’t look or sound like every other walking-talking person in the industry. It takes something to be the person you are. The day you become okay with who you are, it’s magical how people outside will also be okay with you. I’ve experienced it to say it with authority. Today, I don’t feel the need to fit into a certain mould of beauty. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, but you need to believe that first when you see yourself in the mirror.
Nithya: I wish I could trim my curls a bit, but the industry likes it this way, so I let it be. But it’s right that there is a lot of emphasis on how an actress looks. I’ve had to deal with that. There is a lot of criticism and backlash and undue negative commentary that comes your way when you don’t fit into the typical definition of beauty. You have to be sure of what you are and why you do things. It’s impossible for me to go against my heart and do something, ever. I’d rather brave the comments than try to force-fit myself into any notion beauty because it’s never a constant. The notion changes all the time; how much can you change yourself? Mental and physical health is important. I don’t feel the need to change or nit-pick on small things about myself and get affected by it. I believe in being healthy and never doing anything where I need to go against myself, whatever the repercussions are.

Actresses are often subjected to body-shaming, and as women, what’s your defence mechanism? Does an actor’s physical appearance limit the kind of work that comes their way?
Nithya: Physical appearances can limit you as an actor and there’s no point in sugar-coating that. It impacts the roles that come your way. Yes, I completely understand that as an actor people want to see you looking fit and they find it difficult to accept you otherwise. It’s a visual medium and it has its demands and limitations and we all have to play by that. But people who make incessant negative remarks about an actor’s look need to consider the fact that we, too, are human. While my fans don’t increase or reduce with a change in my contour, there’s always talk about how I need to look a certain way. Despite the troubles and trolling that I have faced, I’ve never felt the need to attempt size zero to fit into a film. People assume that weight is a result of eating without exercising. Trust me, no actor is lazy. An actor’s physicality does not define their acting prowess.

Despite the criticism, how do you manage to stay positive? Would you like to elaborate on that…
Nithya: Nasty comments or the pressures will lead you nowhere. It’s not easy to talk like I am talking today. We’ve all been through our phases of being hurt, feeling insecure and pained with what is spoken about us. While dealing with insecurities of this profession, I’ve always looked at the bigger picture. Sometimes, I’ve allowed myself to cry and get over it. Sometimes, people have a narrow perspective. I can deal with a lot of negativity also because my life goes beyond films. My work doesn’t consume me. If films were at the centre of my life, things would have been harder. I’ve never tried to be a part of films; it’s happened organically.
Kirti: No one can lie or pretend here. You have to be secure and grounded to be able to see the bigger picture. It’s important to find yourself and not compromise on that, which even my co-actresses have done. I just remind myself of what I want from life and figure a route to get there.

The actress is happy she overcame reservations about ensemble casts but would appreciate it if co-star Akshay Kumar gets her name right
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 1, 2019)

Kirti Kulhari was visibly upset at the trailer launch of Mission Mangal, when her co-star Akshay Kumar, who was also the emcee for the event, addressed her as ‘Kriti’. “When I glared at him, he was like, ‘I am so scared of you, man, why do you do that?’” the actress relays with a chuckle. When he tried to defend himself by explaining that he has been shooting for Housefull 4 with two Kritis (Sanon and Kharbanda), she shut him up saying it’s no excuse for getting her name wrong.

Name-related hiccups aside, Kirti admits it was a blast working with the Khiladi Kumar. “My biggest takeaway is that you don’t have to be serious while making an important film. You can also have fun,” she asserts, adding that it was the “most mastikhor” Akki who imparted this gyaan to her. She never subscribed to the actresses-can’t-be-friends stereotype

but was admittedly in for a pleasant surprise. “These are big names—Vidya Balan, Akshay, Nithya Menen, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu, Sharman Joshi, H G Dattatreya—but it was the most tantrum-free set I have been on,” she exults.

Kirti goes on to reveal that she had reservations about working in a multi-starrer after fronting Madhur Bhandarkar’s Indu Sarkar. “I wondered if I’d have enough to do as an actor. But I had a special appearance in Uri: The Surgical Strike and managed to get something out of that too. So, I knew if I do my work with honesty, I’ll stand out,” she shares, adding that Vidya is someone everyone gets along with and she bonded the most with Nithya. “We hit it off while travelling together to Goregaon. Taapsee was occupied with a sports league at the time, so we didn’t get a chance to speak much.”

In the film, the actress plays Lucknow girl Neha Siddiqui, who is entrusted with the responsibility of Satellite Autonomy. Explaining her role in the mission, Kirti elaborates, “I make the satellite self-dependent in space so that it can sustain without outside interference.” Her character’s personal life reflects the individuality accorded to her by her profession. “Neha is Muslim, and, in the film, you’ll see how she struggles to find a house. She’s also dealing with a divorce,” she adds.

Deepali Singh (DNA; January 19, 2019)

After playing heavy-duty roles in movies such as Pink (2016), Indu Sarkar (2017) and last week’s release, Uri: The Surgical Strike, Kirti Kulhari says that her web series, Four More Shots Please! was a refreshing change for her. Playing a single mother in the show that revolves around the lives of four friends has not only broadened her horizons, but the actress says she has also gained confidence in herself, as an actor and as a person.

“I wanted to really evolve as an actor and face my fears,” says Kirti, who admits that initially, she was apprehensive about playing a single mother on the Amazon Prime Video show. “After all, we are operating in a space like Bollywood, where everyone is judging you and are more than eager to typecast you,” she states. Secondly, the artiste wanted to push her boundaries as an actor. “It’s a bold show, but it doesn’t have sex for titillation. I have seen actors doing bold scenes, especially internationally and I feel so much respect and admiration for them. In a world when you are uncomfortable being naked in front of your partner, here you are naked in front of the whole world. Imagine how secure you are as a person! I have always wondered when I would reach a stage like that without feeling ashamed or apologetic. That’s another boundary I wanted to push and I got that opportunity with this show,” she says.

With movies like Veere Di Wedding (2018) and web shows like The Trip exploring female friendships, does she feel this space is here to stay and grow? “For sure,” believes Kirti, “It’s high time we explored this space. In the show, we are four women who represent different kinds of women who exist in different ways in different set-ups. But the fact that makers are experimenting in this arena where they are getting into the mindsets of today’s women is significant. Even the audience wants to see this world,” she signs off.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 4, 2018)

After Shoojit Sircar’s National Award-winning Pink and Madhur Bhandarkar’s controversial political drama Indu Sarkar, Kirti Kulhari will make a special appearance in Uri as an army officer.

“Seerat Kaur is a pilot who plays an important part in the main surgical strike. Since I come from a defence background — my father was in the Navy and and my sister is in the army — I know the Uri surgical strike was an important decision and is a part of our history,” says the actress.

Kirti’s prep includes learning pistol shooting. “Also, I have to be well versed with the chopper. I don’t have enough time to learn to fly as I start shooting by May-end or June, but I plan to spend a week to 10 days in Navy Nagar so I get a feel of the day-today training. I’m really excited about the film,” she beams.

The Uri attacks led to a ban on Pakistani artistes and on this subject, Kirti says, “Sometimes in life, you need to do what you need to do no matter what the price is. This was one of those moments for India. We had to make a decision which reflected our strength, our state of mind and our choices at that point of time and we as a nation had to come together to support that decision,” says Kirti.

She is collaborating with Vicky for the first time and describes him as “a talented young boy with a bunch of very good films lined up”.
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Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; April 4, 2018)

Months after it was reported that Vicky Kaushal would play the leading man in debutant director Aditya Dhar’s upcoming venture, Uri, comes news that Kirti Kulhari has been roped in for a crucial part in the film. Kulhari will slip into the role of an army pilot for the Ronnie Screwvala production, which, as the name suggests, revolves around the events that transpired after the 2016 Uri attack.

Although essaying a small role, Kulhari is undergoing a significant amount of prep work for the film. “The story will chronicle the events that transpired in my character’s life which led to her appointment in the defence force. My character plays a crucial role in the surgical strikes. The Uri attacks were an important chapter in our history, and I knew I had to be part of this project when the casting director approached me two weeks ago,” the actor tells mid- day.

Kulhari will not only learn how to use a pistol, but also train with army men before her schedule rolls. “Apart from learning how to shoot with a pistol, I will also be taught how to operate a chopper. I don’t have enough time to learn to fly, but I will understand the basics.”

Belonging to a family that served in the forces — “My father was in the navy, my sister is in the Army,” Kulhari says — the actor will also pick up a lesson or two from them. “I also plan to train for 10 days with Army men in Colaba. I hope to understand their daily schedule, apart from getting an insight into the way they think.”

In September 2016, 19 soldiers were killed in an attack by militants in an army camp. Eleven days later, the Indian government revealed that they had conducted surgical strikes in Pakistan occupied Kashmir, which led to the death of an estimated 38 terrorists. The film is reportedly based on the events that transpired in those 11 days.

Kaushal plays the role of the commander-in-chief leading the operation, and also underwent training.

Heroine of Bhandarkar’s Indu Sarkar fires salvo at opposition, which demands the film gets their approval before hitting screens
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 19, 2017)

At the onset of our conversation, Kirti Kulhari, the leading lady of the upcoming political-drama, Indu Sarkar, clarifies that the Emergency period is only “a part of” the entire film. Even before getting a clean chit from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the Madhur Bhandarkar-directed project has already come under the scanner by the Congress, which has opposed its release.

Bhandarkar recently received a letter from Congress president Sanjay Nirupam, who demanded that a screening for party bigwigs be held before the film hits theatres. The party fears Indu Sarkar may show the former prime minister, Indira Gandhi, in poor light.

But Kulhari sees little reason for the makers to abide by their demands. “We’re not obliged to show the film to anybody. They can see it in the theatres. Today, he [Nirupam] is demanding it, tomorrow, another political party will do the same. Where does this end? We will not succumb to such pressure. It is for us to decide who we wish to hold the screening for. This is a democracy. We won’t allow someone else’s freedom to protest get in the way of our freedom of expression,” says Kulhari, adding that the CBFC has already declined the demand.

The actor is moved by the sufferings that Indians may have endured during the Emergency. “While leading the cushy lives that we do in 2017, it’s tough to fathom what it must have been to go to sleep one night with everything in place, and wake up the next day with all your rights suspended. It lasted for 21 months. Why is there such an uproar over our film,” she questions, as she chronicles the difficulty that the team is facing as they aim to bring their film to the theatres. “The film hasn’t even been cleared by the CBFC and we have to take it to the Tribunal. We can’t promote it in certain cities because we fear for our safety. We have to cancel events and be escorted by cops everywhere. Madhur sir has shielded me, but this uproar is unnecessary,” she says, adding the team will also object to every cut that may be demanded.