Showing posts with label Nimrat Kaur interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nimrat Kaur interview. Show all posts
Attending Diwali parties come at the cost of little sleep but it's a small price for the love you get-Nimrat Kaur
8:00 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; November 14, 2023)
Flying in a day before Diwali, Nimrat Kaur ensured she was home in time as she couldn’t miss her annual Diwali duty of making rangoli. From the moment she arrived back in Noida at her nani’s place until Diwali evening, it was her sole focus.
She shares, “I arrived a day before Diwali, and my first agenda upon reaching home was to gather mate rials for making rangoli. Making rangoli at my nani’s house is my annual Diwali tradition.”
She continued, “This year, in the evening, we went out for dinner and visited the Gurudwara in sector 18 in Noida. We lit candles, had prasad. During the short drive from my home to the Gurudwara, it was so nice to see how people had lit up their homes. In between, I enjoyed my favourite pista barfi throughout the day.”
‘I GET HOMESICK IF I AM NOT AT HOME ON DIWALI’
Last year, she was shooting for her film, so she couldn’t be home. She shares, “Last year, when I was shooting for my film (Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video) in Pune, I felt very sad that I couldn’t come home on Diwali. I was really craving to be with my mum and my nani. So, I had to be at home this year. I wasn’t able to come as early as I would have liked to, so by the time I arrived, most of the work was already done. Diwali is a time when, more than doing anything, you want to be around your family.”
She adds, “The day after Diwali, I was having a conversation with my mum and nani in the morning, and they said, ‘Diwali becomes special when ghar ka koi bachha aa jaye.’ For them, the festival is special because the youngsters of the family are home to celebrate. I think it is very important to be present.”
‘THE RUN-UP TO DIWALI IS REALLY PRECIOUS’
For Nimrat, Diwali means unconditional joy. She says, “Before coming to my nani’s place in Noida, I had put up lights at my place in Mumbai. There is something about the runup to Diwali which is really precious. What I really love (about this festival) is the collective happiness and joy.”
Commenting on attending multiple pre-Diwali parties and events in Mumbai, Nimrat says, “The people with whom we have work connections are also kind of a family that one is creating. Family is not limited to blood relations. Sometimes, the management part becomes a bit tricky because you get very little time for yourself. It comes at the cost of little sleep and not feeling rested, but I think it is a very small price for the love you receive. I get recharged with that love. With my film release and people talking about it, it has been a great time from the end of September.”
‘MY MUM ATTENDING MY FILM’S PRESS CONFERENCE WAS SO CUTE; TOOK ME BACK TO SCHOOL’
Last month, Nimrat was in Delhi for promotions of her film but she couldn’t visit home, so she had called my mother to the hotel. Nimrat shares, “She sat through my film’s press con, and she was recording me the whole time. That was really, really sweet. It was like school when you are on stage performing, and your parents are watching; it took me back to school. It was so cute.”
A girl told me she was quitting her job to join the Army as my role in The Test Case inspired her so much-Nimrat Kaur
8:15 AM
Nimrat Kaur, who played a lone woman among a group of male Army officers in The Test Case, talks about the increasing representation of women in the armed forces and how gender is irrelevant when it comes to serving the nation
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; March 10, 2023)
The 2017 web series The Test Case features Nimrat Kaur as the only woman among a group of Army officers training to join the Special Forces – making her the “test case” for women in combat roles. Since the show released, the representation of women in armed forces has seen a huge leap. As part of our Women’s Day series, Nimrat, who comes from an Army background, tells us about how she prepped for the role and why gender shouldn’t be a deal-breaker for wanting to serve your country.
Nimrat says that the biggest gift of having done The Test Case is that till now, every time she goes through airport security, she receives a lot of positive comments from women uniformed personnel. She says, “So many female CISF officers have told me how they relate to my character and how Captain Shikha Sharma inspires them. I feel women in uniform will resonate with that part. No matter which force they belong to, they all face similar challenges. I met a girl at an airport who told me that she was quitting her job to join the Army because my role inspired her so much. That is a gift that will last for a long time. If there is even a 1% part that I played in furthering possibilities and dreams (of girls joining the Army), I think I am on the right path in life. ”
‘I WAS SO ATTACHED TO THAT CHARACTER THAT I KEPT MY UNIFORM’
Nimrat says that she connected with the series for many reasons. “I got to play an Army officer and wear the uniform because of The Test Case. Through this series, I visited a lot of places physically and emotionally. I am not sure whether I will play an Army officer again, but this will remain very close to my heart. Always. I was so attached to that character that I kept my uniform from the show. That was the only time I kept an entire costume because it was beyond work for me for many reasons,” she says.
Nimrat shares that the show was a way for her to revisit childhood. She says, “I have been so far from the Army life and uniform (in movie roles), although the Army life is second nature to me. On the set, I would keep saying that this is what happens in the Army and this is what we can do.”
Nimrat, whose father served in the Army, says she has always been fascinated with the uniform. “I used to watch my father donning the uniform, and that is one of my most treasured memories. Wearing that uniform for this show was almost too good to be true,” she says.
ACCOMMODATION SHOULD BE MADE SO MORE WOMEN ARE PART OF THE FORCES
When asked if she feels if the Army has been slow to accept women officers, Nimrat says, “I don’t think one can fault the system because it is perceivably a more masculine job to be in the Army. You can’t fault the system for the way it is, but I feel like accommodation should be made, which are being made, so that more women become part of the forces.”
She adds, “The one dialogue from the show (The Test Case) that stayed with me is that ‘I have as much right to die for my country as any other man’. That, for me, was the crux of the story. It is not about trying to be a man, it is that I should have the option, if I choose, as a girl to do for my country what a man is allowed to do. There should be no bias. Decisions should be made on the basis of merit, physical capacity and other parameters, that is fair. But a girl should have the option to serve her country.”
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Last week, the Indian Army’s official social media account posted a training video of officers from Special Forces and what caught people’s attention was that there was a woman officer training with her male colleagues. The officer in question is Captain Deeksha C Mudadevannanavar, a regimental medical officer (RMO) with the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) unit, who has been training with the unit for four months. In her recent interviews, Captain Deeksha has said that everyone treats her like they would treat any other officer.
Capt Deeksha’s pictures and videos caught the attention of Nimrat Kaur, who played the role of a Captain training with Special Forces in The Test Case. “It reminded me of the show, as in our series too, Captain Shikha Sharma is training with the Special Forces, which is the most difficult training,” says Nimrat.
Beauty of Army cantonments is that the mandir, masjid, church, gurdwara are adjacent to each other-Nimrat Kaur
8:21 AM
Ankur Batra (BOMBAY TIMES; November 8, 2022)
On the occasion of Gurpurab, Nimrat Kaur, who comes from an Army background, shares with us memories of celebrating this special day in Army cantonments across the country while growing up and how she plans to celebrate the day this year. Excerpts :
Given that now there are no COVID restrictions, what will your Gurpurab celebrations be like this year?
I plan to go to a gurdwara and participate in sewa. Langar (community kitchen) is also something that I want to do. I love doing all the chores with my family, but this year, I am not going to be with them in Delhi. So, I will go on my own for the paath (prayers). A day prior to the festival, it’s customary to donate some raw food material as a contribution towards the preparation of langar. I have grown up doing that. And I will decorate my house with lights. It’s a wonderful occasion and most importantly, I am excited to be able to celebrate it after a two-year break caused by the pandemic.
You come from an Army background and must have celebrated this festival in several different states. Any special memories from those times that come to your mind?
The beauty of Army cantonments is that the mandir, masjid, church and gurdwara are adjacent to each other. We would go to the gurdwara and do sewa with our parents. Sewa is when you serve food to everyone. And after a long day of sewa, when you sit down feeling tired, that fatigue is the most wonderful feeling. You serve food to the sangat (congregation) as they sit in a pangat (a row). It’s a long activity and what is really satisfying is that at the end, everyone who has been serving, sits down and eats together no matter what faith or culture they follow.
It’s the most beautiful sentiment that I have grown up with. In a langar, you are a common person. That equality and discipline is the core essence of Sikhism. I have experienced this while growing up in the outside environment, too. Whenever you go to a gurdwara, the sentiment is the same the world over. This makes me feel proud about my roots. I feel that Army cantonments are an epitome of religious harmony and strength.
Talking about your work, you are doing a social thriller, Happy Teachers' Day, which will hit the theatres next year... Tell us something about it.
It’s a very different genre, one that I have never attempted, so I am very excited about it. We shot in Pune and it has some incredible actors, including many from the Marathi film industry. Rest, I can’t reveal much as we are shooting.
Nimrat Kaur says that her 7-year absence from Bollywood was not a conscious choice
8:30 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 21, 2022)
Actor Nimrat Kaur, who has been busy with projects in Hollywood, wishes she had spent more time in the Hindi film industry. She returns to Bollywood with the recently released social comedy, Dasvi, seven years after her last Hindi film, Airlift (2016).
Kaur says, “I wish I could have chased my last Hindi project way quicker with a new project. But that’s something you can’t control, especially me, because I work abroad, too. Straight after Airlift, I went abroad to do a television show called Wayward Pines, which took six months.”
In between, Kaur did a Hindi web series titled The Test Case, before returning to the West, once again, to shoot for the eighth season of the TV series, Homeland. She does, however, add that the need to match up with her first project, the critically acclaimed The Lunchbox (2013), drove her to be picky with Bollywood scripts.
“You want to work much more, but things don’t fall into place or you don’t get the kind of project that you want to do,” shares the 40-year-old, adding, “There are a host of variables that you can’t control. I tend to not worry about things that are beyond me, and thankfully, that’s a part of my nature.”
The actor goes on, “I haven’t consciously stayed away from [Bollywood] films. I genuinely wanted to work on more projects.”
Ask Kaur, if at any point, she was worried about being forgotten by the Indian audience, given her absence, and she says, “I’ve enough faith and belief that whichever project I take up in any part of the world, no matter how much time it takes, there will always be a space in the audience’s mind for me. I hear things like ‘they want to see more of me’, and that’s very encouraging. It’s the ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ kind of thing.”
My journey doesn’t conform to norms. The balancing act can be draining-Nimrat Kaur
8:11 AM
Nimrat Kaur discusses enjoying the best of both worlds as she headlines Dasvi and an international project in Foundation 2
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; March 26, 2022)
In the six years since her last Hindi film Airlift (2016), Nimrat Kaur has featured in Wayward Pines, The Test Case (2017), and played an ISI agent in the final season of Homeland. An eclectic choice of projects, you would agree. So, it piques our interest when she says that Dasvi gave her a character she had “the most fun with”. “The journey from Bimmo to Bimla Devi was unrelatable for me. For the first time, I had to imagine everything from scratch,” she begins.
In the Netflix film, the actor plays a homemaker who becomes the chief minister overnight when her politician husband — essayed by Abhishek Bachchan — is put behind bars. It’s easy to see that her role is inspired by former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi. “I had heard the one-line [character sketch] in 2020; I hadn’t even heard the script. I knew right then that I had to do it. My interest was independent of whom the role was based on. She is initially oppressed, and then becomes an oppressor. I had to be careful not to judge her. I piled on 15 kilos, and did accent training. I will never forget this film because it is rewarding to play a part where there isn’t an ounce of Nimrat.”
Over the years, Kaur has learnt to juggle international and domestic projects. Her idea is simple — to build a repertoire that has a spectrum of performances. “I have a First-World problem. I have one gig here and one gig [in the West]. This is how it has been since The Lunchbox. My journey doesn’t conform to norms. The balancing act can be draining, but it feels great to play satisfying characters.”
Next, she will take the baton from Kubbra Sait to play a key role in the second season of Apple TV’s Foundation. “For a sci-fi freak like me, it is a dream universe to be a part of. I have maximum scenes with Jared Harris, who is an institution. David Goyer [executive producer] is a genius. Plus, there is Alex Graves, with whom I worked on Homeland. He has a vision that’s rare to come by.”
When I think of myself as a daughter of a martyr, I feel very proud-Nimrat Kaur
7:54 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; August 15, 2021)
When Nimrat Kaur tweeted, “The warmest, most valiant, virtuous man, who’s short but large life continues to be a marvel... Late Maj. Bhupender Singh, my handsome, brave father of this lifetime and many before journeyed on 25 years ago today. Your light lives on. Until we meet again Papa..somewhere, sometime,” in remembrance of her father, back in 2019, it spoke volumes about the vacuum that the absence of a loved one creates, especially in the families of martyrs who feel a sense of loss and pride in the same breath. Nimrat’s father was assassinated in Kashmir seven days after he was kidnapped from his place of duty. It was 1994, and her father was 44 years old at that time. Nimrat was on a vacation with her family in Kashmir to visit her father when the incident occured.
Remembering her father with a deep sense of pride, Nimrat told Bombay Times, “I have had a first-person experience of my father being in the Army and losing his life in the line of duty. When you talk about people from the armed forces, you should know that these are the people who will do absolutely anything, including putting their lives on the line if it comes to it, to honour the responsibility of the uniform. They will do everything to protect the country from any and every danger. The Army is a unit that erases all cultural and religious differences. There’s nothing that keeps the men from standing united with one another. I just find all this so incredible.”
Nimrat added, “When I think of myself as someone who comes from that background and a daughter of a martyr, I feel very proud. I also feel a sense of pride to see Subedar Neeraj Chopra from 4 Rajputana Rifles regiment. His feat has made his family and all of us in India just as proud.”
Interestingly, Nimrat featured in the web series, The Test Case, where the protagonist (played by her) trained to be the first test case in a combat role in the Indian army. As a proud daughter of a soldier who laid his life for the nation, in what way does she feel the young generation can show their love and patriotism towards the country? “What we can do at all times is to respect the lives we have, do what we can to give back to society and be responsible, be cognisant of those who can’t look after themselves and be conscientious, and not enable or do anything wrong. If we try to be the best versions of ourselves, we are doing the greatest service to the families of the jawans and to the army officers who don’t see their families for months and years because of where they are posted and the circumstances they live in. We have to be respectful and grateful for the lives we have and the privileges it grants us. The last two years have taught us a lot; as humans, we tend to return to our humdrum and we forget what it was to swim against the tide. That’s the thing we need to avoid,” said the actress.
It felt amazing to shoot in hometown Noida, with family visiting me on set-Nimrat Kaur
8:01 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; August 6, 2021)
Recently, Nimrat Kaur wrapped up the schedule of her upcoming film Dasvi in Noida. The actress, who is returning to Bollywood after five years with this film, has shot in various locations in India and abroad during the course of her career. However, this was the first time she shot in her hometown, Noida. She spoke to us about how it felt to be back home, to have her family on set and the experience of shooting post-pandemic.
‘HOW I NEVER SHOT IN DELHI OR NOIDA IS A MYSTERY TO ME!’
While shooting in Noida, Nimrat says she was hit by a sudden realisation — “I thought, ‘Oh God! I have shot everywhere in the country, but I have never shot in Delhi or Noida!’ It’s actually a mystery to me, how all these years I never shot for any film, series, or even an ad, in Noida. We have lived there for over 26 years now. It is my hometown. I have done my schooling there and my family still lives there. So, filming in Noida was an amazing experience,” she tells us, adding that the icing on the cake was having her folks on set. “These are such extraordinary times, and so it feels amazing to even be shooting. What makes it even better is to be doing that in my home town with my family visiting me on set,” she adds.
‘IT WAS AMUSING TO SEE FAMILY’S REACTION TO SHOOT’
Since this was the first time her family was ever visiting a film set, Nimrat says their reactions were a sight to behold.
Nimrat adds, “As I was shooting in Noida for the first time, I was like they must come on set, as they have never seen me shoot before. It was so lovely. I was so amused to see their reactions. They had no idea how much hard work goes into shooting, how many times one has to repeat their lines, and how things keep disrupting shots — like flies, the heat or somebody’s phone going off. My mother very innocently said, ‘I thought it was like a play, and you just watch’ (laughs!). I was like, ‘it’s nothing like a play’. She couldn’t believe that there were so many people involved in the process. It was so hilarious for me. My folks loved it, and we all had a wonderful time.”
‘MISS SOCIALISING WHILE SHOOTING, BUT WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL’
Talking about shooting amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, Nimrat says, “This shoot was pending for the last three months, and I was just waiting to come back to it. Most of us are vaccinated and everybody is doing what they can to be safe. I feel that while we should not throw caution to the wind, at the same time, one needs to try to come back to some form of normalcy, and we can see everyone the world over trying to do the same.”
Has the pandemic changed the set in any way, apart from enforcement of safety protocols? Nimrat says, “Everyone is careful on set. People are not chit-chatting. You do your work and you are back in your vanity van. Work-wise, nothing can change on a film set, but we miss hanging around and the social part of the shoot. However, we have to be careful."
I love my own company but I would love my family to move in with me-Nimrat Kaur
8:04 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 18, 2021)
Nimrat Kaur, who recently finalised a new home, was looking forward to moving in. However, it seems like the actress will now have to wait a bit before she gets to live in her new house. Last year, too, the actress had zeroed in on another apartment, but owing to the pandemic, she had to pull out of the deal. The actress says, “I had finalised that house shortly before the lockdown last year. The plan was to move in by April, but the lockdown was extended, and that deal fell through. It was like a break-up because I loved that place.”
Nimrat’s new apartment is being done up currently. She shares, “Now that I have wrapped up Dasvi, I have the time to get the new place renovated as per my taste and make it my own. It’s a lovely house with a great vibe. I have been planning this since December 2020.”
The actress has been living alone in Mumbai for many years. Her family resides in Delhi, and she keeps visiting them whenever time permits. Nimrat says, “The thought of asking them to live with me has crossed my mind, but it’s not out of boredom of living alone. I love my own company, and I have no problem spending time alone. I am self-sufficient and have been so since the time I was a child. After spending so much time all by myself, I don’t need people around me. I am used to going out whenever possible and meeting people. When you move to a new city, friends often become your family. Having said that, I would love my family to move in with me, but I don’t see it happening immediately. That’s also because I am travelling for long spells. Also, I really value my me-time.”
My gaps in work are unintentional-Nimrat Kaur
8:08 AM
Returning to Hindi cinema after five years with Dasvi, Nimrat Kaur on being unfazed about losing films as she juggles international and Bollywood career
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; February 27, 2021)
With Dasvi that also stars Abhishek Bachchan and Yami Gautam, Nimrat Kaur returns to a Hindi movie set after five years. It’s a shame we don’t see the actor — a delight on screen - in Hindi cinema more often. “I didn’t realise it’s been five years. Time just flew by. After Airlift [2016], I did two international series and one here. It’s been a while since I faced a camera for a movie,” says Kaur.
When we last spoke to her, she was filming Homeland in Casablanca. The actor shone in the final season of the Emmy Award-winning show as Pakistani agent Tasneem Qureshi. Have her standards been set high after the Claire Danes-led series, making her picky about roles? “My gaps in work are unintentional. Sometimes, projects take far too long to come together. Shooting a long-format series like Homeland was a year-long assignment, from February to October 2019. The Test Case was also a long-term project. The stop-gap arrangement is fast getting rectified by the sheer velocity of work. I am not picky, but experimental. The Test Case was an experiment; I did it when web shows weren’t booming [in India]. The desire is to be versatile.”
But with flourishing careers in two industries, she is bound to miss out on work due to date clashes. The actor isn’t perturbed as she says, “I operate from a place of gratitude. As I start Dasvi, I am not wondering what I will lose out on in the US. I am engaging in conversations with suits [of production houses] abroad. As an artiste, I am privileged that I can do diverse work and cater to different sets of audiences. Eventually, if I miss a project, I believe there’s a greater plan.”
While Agent Qureshi’s story reached its resolution in Homeland, one would have assumed that Kaur would reprise her role as Captain Shikha Sharma in the second season of The Test Case. She clarifies, “My journey ended with the first season. I have nothing more to do in that show than what I have offered.”
Preparing & serving langar on Gurpurab is rewarding-Nimrat Kaur
8:07 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; November 30, 2020)
If you follow Nimrat Kaur on social media, you’ll find comments below her Gurpurab posts where people say they’ve spotted her doing seva at the gurdwara. Nimrat says that she has been visiting the gurdwara in Noida Sector 18 for almost 25 years, and even when she isn’t home on Gurpurab, she ensures to visit a gurdwara and serve langar.
The actress says, “Gurpurab has always been special for me and my family. I’ve loved preparing langar and serving it. It’s kind of a back-breaking job as you have to stand the whole day, but it’s also one of the most rewarding feelings. In the evening, people who’ve been cooking serve you and then everyone eats together. It’s my most favourite memory of celebrating Gurpurab.”
People often spot her and recognise her while she is serving langar, and she says she does get selfie requests. Nimrat says, “People do spot me, and they want to take pictures. But the spirit and emotion of the day is such that everyone is so happy to be eating together and being served. People often come to me and say it is so wonderful to see me serving langar at the gurdwara.”
Nimrat says, “They say it inspires them, seeing someone who’s known coming and doing seva with them. I remember a young mother once came up to me and said, ‘It’s so nice that somebody like you is doing it (seva). This is something kids should see and emulate as a quality’.”
She adds, “Seva is a big part of our faith. To serve and to be a part of the community is such a big part of Sikhi. People of all strata come together and their economic background or differences do not matter — they sit together and eat. I’m an Army girl and I’m from a Sikh family, and these are values of equality that have been inculcated in me since childhood.”
Nimrat, who went to Noida before Diwali, had plans to return to Mumbai after the festival, but has stayed back as her family asked her to. She says, “I have my grandmother and older members at home, and this is not a year to venture out. But, we all will pray at home, prepare food and see where we can serve it to the less privileged.”
Don’t go by gossip, wait for the truth-Nimrat Kaur
8:03 AM
Juhi Chakraborty (HINDUSTAN TIMES; October 8, 2020)
From the raging insider-outsider debate for the last few months to the recent drug nexus probe, Bollywood is going through a phase of constant scrutiny like never before. However, actor Nimrat Kaur doesn’t want to read too much into it, at least not just yet.
“I think yes times are turbulent. But it is definitely not the time to judge any profession, not time to judge any human being. Everything has to be taken a look at with a proper perspective and the truth intact, not just idle gossiping or whataboutery,” she shares.
Outlining that patience is the key, she wishes for people to desist from jumping the gun, till the investigation is complete. “I think opinions should be formed once there’s evidence. So automatically when the truth comes out, and when there is substantial evidence to what really is going on and what’s not, then we can figure out how we are going to form our opinions,” she says.
Staying optimistic is the mantra for Kaur, 38, who adds, “I feel genuinely this is a phase and these are just dark clouds above the film industry. It shall pass.” And true to her beliefs, she hopes for people to be more compassionate and kind at times of such adversities.
“I don’t think any of us has seen such a difficult time in life, there is a lot of struggle and a dearth of positivity and inspiration around us. We are all going through a very difficult time right now, as a culture and as humanity on the whole. We are all dealing with it on a regular basis — loss of life and livelihood,” she concludes.
I visited a salon for a haircut after seven months-Nimrat Kaur
8:50 AM
The actress, who lives alone in Mumbai, shares her experience of visiting a salon, after they were recently allowed to reopen
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; July 8, 2020)
In the unlocking phase, the country is slowly opening up and people are starting to step out. Among them is Nimrat Kaur, who recently visited a salon in Mumbai after they were allowed to reopen across Maharashtra under its Mission Begin Again Phase IV. The actress says people should not live in fear, but should also not throw caution to the wind.
Sharing that she was confident the salon would be following all safety norms, Nimrat says, “I was not worried at all as I have known the salon owner since I came to Mumbai. I knew she would be diligent when it comes to following hygiene norms and social distancing at her salon. She was more worried about my safety than I was.”
The actress adds, “I think all of us are looking to go to people whom we trust, be it salons or restaurants. I haven’t had a haircut in seven months and I knew I was now ready to step out for one.” Nimrat says the salon owner told her she was her first celebrity client since they reopened.
Nimrat adds she was not worried about putting anyone at risk by stepping out as she lives alone. “I know that people who have kids and elderly family members at home would not step out, but I can take the risk as I live alone,” she says.
To all those stepping out, she says, “I will just say that let’s not throw caution to the wind during the unlock period and do as we like. In fact, this is the time to be even more cautious. But, to live in fear is also not feasible. We have to find a sustainable combination. Be extremely cautious so as to not put another person at risk, and at the same time, do what you have to make yourself feel normal. Basically, we need a slow transition to our normal lives.”
Seeing Irrfan Khan’s mural in Bandra evoked a bittersweet feeling in me-Nimrat Kaur
8:31 AM
The actress says many people haven’t been able to come to terms with Irrfan’s demise
Ismat Tahseen (BOMBAY TIMES; May 15, 2020)
Legendary actor Irrfan Khan’s fans from across the world are yet to come to terms with his sudden death. Recently, Nimrat Kaur, his co-star in The Lunchbox (2013), happened to spot a mural of the actor in the bylanes of Bandra, which took her down memory lane. She even posted the picture of Irrfan’s mural on social media with the caption, “Chanced upon this arresting mural in Ranwar Village on an errand run today. Incidentally only a few houses down the one where Saajan Fernandes’s house was located in The Lunchbox. Such an ominous yet celebratory confluence of life and art... My heart felt compliments to the artist @bollywoodartproject and a million thoughts and loving prayers for this immortal soul. All that came to the mind was, who knew...#IrrfanForever (sic).When BT contacted her, she said, “I live in Santacruz, but I had to go that side as I buy food for my cats from a store there. As I was driving, I entered a lane, where Ritesh Batra (director) and I had met for coffee, last year. During our conversation, I remember telling him, ‘I don’t know the house where Irrfan’s scenes in the film were shot’. He then walked me out of the cafe and showed me where Irrfan’s portions were shot. And yesterday, just a few houses ahead of that, I came upon this mural at Ranwar Village. It evoked a bittersweet feeling in me. After I clicked the photo, I was unsure if I should post it, as we are under Coronavirus lockdown. I felt that somewhere, many of us have not been able to come to terms with Irrfan’s demise. He was such an iconic figure. I remember his sense of humour and ease in all circumstances. His mere presence was an uplifting experience.
I have discovered how much work a house needs-Nimrat Kaur
8:28 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 12, 2020)
Now that we are out of the rat race, it has narrowed down to just about the basics for everyone — food, health, family and keeping mind over matter says Nimrat Kaur, who was looking forward to the shooting of a film, which got stalled due to the Coronavirus lockdown.
“I have begun to appreciate the smallest blessings. I feel like the biggest lesson from this is to genuinely live one day at a time and to not worry about the future. Today, everything is so terribly in the air and no one knows when we will find normalcy again or what it will be,” shares Kaur, who follows a timetable as it’s “imperative to keep busy all day”.
“I have discovered how much work a house needs and that work is my only point of sanity. God forbid, if I had no housework, then I would be pulling my hair out. I have figured that I have to keep myself busy through the day to the point of exhaustion. I do yoga on the terrace of my building and workout during the sunset too.”
Happy with the trend of fitness and cookery videos being posted by celebs and others on social media, Kaur says,“Everyone’s putting out positive messages and trying their best to inspire people. I have watched some videos and felt that I could make that dish. Some might think that the privileged are showing off and what about ones who don’t have a roof over their heads which is valid. But as long as things are done with a good intention, then it’s okay.”
I kept fretting… what if the song looked too sexy? What would my family say?-Nimrat Kaur
7:48 AM
As told to Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 18, 2019)
For my first job, I performed a 20-minute musical skit at Pragati Maidan, a trade fair centre, in Delhi. It was directed by Roshan Abbas and was about a couple getting married. I was in first year of college back then and was paid Rs 10,000 for a week, which was big money for me and I opened my bank account with it. I had only done school plays before that.
After that I did anchoring jobs that got me some extra pocket money. As an emcee for corporate events and in shopping mall set-ups, I would be put in weird situations and had to handle the crowds well, but I was getting paid a lot of money for it. I also did print ads in Delhi and was paid Rs 3000 for my photograph that appeared in a soap ad. It was the first ever close-up photo I had seen of myself with makeup on.
I moved to Mumbai with all the money I had saved up and some portfolio pictures. I happened to meet (writer-editor) Apurva Asrani who used to work with Sony Music then. He auditioned me, and I landed two music videos, “Tera Mera Pyaar” sung by Kumar Sanu, and Shreya Ghoshal’s “Yeh Kya Hua”, as they were looking for a new face. I got paid just Rs five-10 thousand for the videos, but I started getting work after that in Mumbai. I also featured in a Kailash Kher video and did many more.
With the first two videos, I was facing the camera for the first time and was clueless. “Tera Mera Pyaar” was shot at Fame Adlabs theatre. For the second video, a massive set was put up at Kamalistan studio. I had never seen a set from inside before that. I was so fascinated, it felt like I had entered a Ramayana kind of a set-up with the pond, swans and trees. There was a point in the video where my pallu comes off and the male model and I come closer. I was so shy, in my head it was a big thing. I freaked out but Apurva was very sweet, he told me it would look beautiful onscreen. I kept fretting… what if it looked too sexy? What would my family say? Now, Apurva and I laugh about it.
Initially, my mum was worried that I was in Mumbai alone, but she was always supportive. When I was without work, she wondered what my next job would be and ask me, “How long do you plan to do this?”
Before I landed The Lunchbox, I did theatre for four years. Ads were getting me the money, but they weren’t getting me experience as an actor. I started watching plays and figured out the kind of work and people I wanted to be associated with. Soon, I got two plays, Damages and All About Women, and won a Best Actress award at a youth theatre festival for the former. I was thrilled; I couldn’t believe I’d won an award for my first play. In Damages I acted with Ali Fazal, while I got a lot of love for All About Women and did maximum shows. Another one, called Baghdad Wedding, also did well.
It was the plays that led Ritesh Batra (The Lunchbox director) to me. He was in India to cast for his film and later told me that he had seen some of my plays before he met me. The rest, as they say, is history.
A still from the song ‘Tera Mera Pyaar’
It’s unthinkable in this day and age-Nimrat Kaur slams Brunei for punishing homosexuals
8:49 AM
Deepali Singh (DNA; April 6, 2019)
Last year in September, when Section 377 was decriminalised in India, Nimrat Kaur took to Twitter and wrote ‘Equal love. Equal lives’. Now, with Brunei introducing a strict new penal code, which among other things, imposes death by stoning for adultery and gay sex, the agitated actress posted, ‘To think this a possibility makes my soul tremble. Whatever needs/can be done, must/has to be done NOW. Aghast at the mere thought... #ShameOnBrunei #NotInTheNameOfReligion’ (sic).
The actress finds her name amidst a number of international celebrities, including George Clooney, Ellen DeGeneres, Elton John and Billie Jean King, who, too, have called for a boycott of hotels owned by the Sultan of Brunei. Her tweet was also picked up by Hollywood website Deadline, which included her stand on the issue in an article.
Speaking to us from Casablanca, where she is shooting for the television show Homeland, Nimrat said, “I read this piece of news and it just felt like the most outrageous thing I have read in recent times. It’s a direct human rights violation to pass a law that allows one to be punished to death because of their sexual orientation or anything for that matter in this kind of manner. It’s unthinkable in this day and age.”
Nimrat, who re-tweeted Ellen’s post about the boycott of the hotels, said it was the least she could do. “It’s a very small thing but at least, it’s something by way of which we can affect the economic privileges that are enjoyed by the person who has passed such a law. I don’t intend to contribute to his economy,” she added.
The performer, who has always come out in support of the LGBTQ community, believes that one has the right to live the way they want to as long as it does not harm another human being. “Tomorrow, somebody will stand and have a problem with what people wear and pass a law against that. There is no end to something like this. This can’t be the world we are living in. There are far bigger issues that are harmful to this planet or the society we live in,” she stated.
Homeland 8: Nimrat Kaur is waiting for the hatred to return
8:17 AM
Deepali Singh (DNA; February 7, 2019)
A couple of days ago, Nimrat Kaur tweeted, ‘Mean never tasted sohhh gooooood. Statutory warning: Strap up. It ain’t for the faint-hearted...’ She was referring to her role in the award-winning American TV show Homeland. The Lunchbox actress had played ISI officer Tasneem Qureshi in the fourth season of the spy thriller in 2014 and now, she is gearing up to reprise her role in its eighth and final instalment.
From her tweet, we gather that she had quite a blast shooting for it the first time around and can’t wait to sink her teeth into it once more. “Oh, yes, I loved it! In fact, I loved it so much that I didn’t even have to think twice before saying yes to coming back,” says the 36-year-old, about playing the antagonist. The other thing that’s got her excited is the fact that it’s being shot in Casablanca, Morocco, this time. “It’s my first visit to Morocco. I know that Spain is just a boat ride away and I’m waiting to explore all those areas!” she laughs. Nimrat will be travelling back and forth to Mumbai for work and other commitments, but before that, she gives us a lowdown on being back on the espionage series...
Being asked to return for the final season of Homeland is a compliment in itself, but what’s the most special compliment you have received for your role till date?
My favourite one always has been that ‘We loved to hate you’. I have never quite got over that because that’s something I have never heard for any other part that I’ve played. People keep saying that Tasneem is so badass and that while she looks angelic, she is actually so devious and devilish. I got a lot of appreciation for playing such a strong girl in a man’s world and taking tough decisions in a place where you would normally not see women in that position of authority.
What’s going on in your mind as the final season unfolds for you?
The journey will be unpredictable. As I go forward, I will understand how the script unfolds and see what they are going to do with the character. I know it’s going to be an emotional journey for the cast and the crew because they have been on it for such a long time. They will put their best foot forward because the world will be watching. Even people who trail off usually come back to watch the last season of something which has been so successful.
You have acted in three series — Homeland, Wayward Pines and The Test Case. Are there more offers coming your way and would you like to explore them?
I’m only looking forward to The Test Case 2. It’s being written as we speak. There are some exciting propositions that are around, but nothing that I want to take on.
What about Bollywood? Your last filmi outing was in 2016 with Airlift...
I know! I want to correct that soon enough. I really want to get on with something exciting. God willing, I will be able to find a nice story and do something fun this year. There were many interesting scripts that came my way, but things didn’t fall into place. I’m really hoping things work out in a more rapid and dynamic way this year.
This time, we will focus on her personal journey as well-Nimrat Kaur
8:04 AM
Excited to kick off Homeland’s final season shoot next month, Nimrat says eighth edition of international show to offer insight into her character
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 16, 2019)
“I had been reading about their final season for months, way before they approached me,” beams nimrat Kaur, ecstatic that she has earned a place again in the eighth season of the popular show, Homeland. The actor, who played Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence officer Tasneem Qureshi in the fourth edition, will reprise the role in the Claire Danes starrer.
She says a chance visit to Los Angeles late last year played an integral role in her bagging the series. “The makers wanted to meet me when they were in the process of scripting the final season. Luckily, I was in Los Angeles at the same time. They wanted my character to return because it did well for them,” she says.
Even though she had limited screen time in the previous outing, Kaur asserts that the show — that has won universal acclaim and multiple awards — opened new avenues for her. “It was the first time I played a negative part. The show helped me foray into the international circuit. I am drawn to quality. Sometimes, one can have many scenes and yet, not make an impact. I am sure the makers will go ahead full throttle this time, given that it is the finale.”
The Airlift actor adds that her character too has evolved in the past four years. “Tasneem is at a different rank in the Pakistani Army. Plus, this time, we will focus on her personal journey as well — it may not necessarily be a romantic angle, but more of where she comes from and who she is as a person.”
Before she faces the camera next month, Kaur is busy brushing up on her knowledge of international affairs to gain a better perspective on the political thriller. “I live in a bubble, so I have a lot of reading up to do. Understanding the socio-political scenario is crucial to absorbing the part.”
In the eight years since its inception, Homeland has been set in different countries, with its narrative moving from Lebanon to Germany to Pakistan across seasons. While the fourth edition saw the makers recreate Islamabad in Cape Town, the latest 12-episode instalment will be shot in Casablanca. Though the makers were considering shooting in India, Kaur adds, “Geographically, the narrative lends itself to Morocco, given that the series will be set in Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
Nimrat Kaur in the fourth season of Homeland
If strict action is taken against offenders, young actresses won’t hesitate to talk about casting couch-Nimrat Kaur
8:18 AM
Mayuri Phadnis (MID-DAY; May 10, 2018)
In India, when someone alleges sexual harassment, the person is suddenly looked at differently, but the #MeToo movement grew stronger because people who have suffered sexual harassment were not made to feel isolated, opined actress Nimrat Kaur.
“If strict action is taken against offenders, young actresses will not hesitate to come forth to talk about something like casting couch. But first, they need to be assured that they won't become victims of ostracism and unemployment. Hollywood took years to find the strength to speak up. I think we are also slowly getting there,” stated Nimrat, drawing reference from the protest of a Telugu actress against alleged sexual harassment in Tollywood.
Nimrat recently visited Pune’s Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and, in a candid conversation with us, spoke about multiple topics — her love for regional cinema, celebrities using social media to voice their opinions and the various phases filmmaking has undergone.
“In the 1980s and 1990s, cinema did not have an impactful voice. The movies were made from a commercial point of view to garner mass appeal. We have seen better cinema, with thought provoking content, in the 60s and 70s. Now again, we are getting a chance to showcase good content through various platforms,” she said.
About the success of regional films at the National Awards, she said, “Hindi cinema dominates the entertainment scene, but I make it a point to watch regional movies for their rich content. But since the PR and distribution system of these films is not so strong, they don’t get the kind of audience that they deserve.”
I want to connect with the audience at a better frequency-Nimrat Kaur
8:11 AM
Harshada Rege (DNA; March 21, 2018)
Though Nimrat Kaur has been lauded for her acting prowess, she has had full-fledged roles in just two movies — The Lunchbox (2013) and Airlift (2016) — in Bollywood. She was also part of two international shows — Homeland and Wayward Pines (both in 2015) — and made her digital debut with The Test Case last year. Now, she wants to connect with the audience on the home front on a regular basis.
After Hrs caught up with the actress who spoke about dabbling in different mediums and her future plans. Excerpts from the interview...
You have been part of movies, Hollywood shows and series. What has been the most demanding of the lot?
Doing a web series was the most gruelling experience for me. That was also because in The Test Case, I wasn’t part of a story that was based on various characters. As I was essaying the protagonist, the amount of work that I needed to put in was monumental.
Go on...
It was extremely demanding. Sometimes, we would shoot for almost 15 hours a day and I would barely get any time to rest as I was present in practically every scene. The part required both mental and physical effort. Some days would be a blur. There were times when I couldn’t sleep because I was so wired with all that had happened on the sets. And then there were days when I would return battered and bruised.
You played an army commando in your first web series. You also hail from an army background, so did that help?
That world was familiar to me because I have grown up in an army environment. That’s my natural habitat (laughs). I was raised in cantonments, and have had people in uniforms around me. So, in that sense, there was a huge comfort level. But I had to work hard to understand the character emotionally and physically. She is not like me.
The digital space has created a lot of buzz these days...
I think this a super exciting phase. There’s suddenly so much more that people can lend themselves to – both on and off the camera. They are able to find a voice in a different medium, which does not have to conform to the norms of cinema as a medium. You don’t have to think about what you can or can’t say. You are talking to a global audience. Anyone anywhere will have access to it at any point in time, so in that way, it’s a seductive medium. It’s a great avenue to express themselves on. It’s not the future but the present. Everyone wants to be a part of the digital medium.
It also doesn’t have any censorship. Does that make it more appealing?
It does help when you get to express like a character would in real life and don’t have to think if you can show or say certain things. It brings you as close to reality as possible.
Does it take a lot of effort to get a break in the foreign market?
I was fortunate to be introduced to that market because of The Lunchbox. The makers of Homeland had seen my films and they wanted me for it. Wayward Pines happened as I was a part of Homeland. That’s how the ball gets rolling. I feel it’s great to be associated with a film that people across the world can relate to. That’s a great starting point.
While working in international shows is a great opportunity, it does keep you away from home. Do you feel that every time you come back, you have to work towards making your presence felt or get noticed by filmmakers?
Yes, for sure. For me, it does take time to come back, meet people and let them know that I’m available for work. People often wonder, ‘Oh, do you live in Mumbai or in Los Angeles?” That kind of a gap can be long...even four or five months sometimes. You feel disoriented even mentally. It takes me a little while to come back and get into the groove of things. But once you are here, then it’s just a matter of time before you crack the next project.
Having worked here as well as in Hollywood, do you ever make any comparisons?
Of course, working abroad is different because their culture is different from ours. But as an actor, it’s all been the same for me. I always approach my work from the character’s point of view rather than what medium it is meant for.
There has been a huge debate in Hollywood as well as here about the pay-scale disparity between male and female actors. What’s your take on it?
I have a slightly different take on this. Your remuneration is directly proportional to the number of people who come to watch you in the theatre. If you have a strong audience base, your pay-scale will keep graduating. There are female actresses who get a lot more than their male contemporaries because they are bigger stars. In my career, I know that today I can command more than what I could five years ago. Of course, there is a disparity, I am not denying that, but I also feel that if you, as a star, have the power to bring people to the theatre, then you will be given what you ought to be given, regardless of whether you are a guy or a girl.
You have always received critical acclaim for your work. What’s your motivation when you take up a new role?
I have never worked for critical acclaim, money, or fame. For me, I live my life through the parts that I play. Before you know, a year has passed and you are a year older than when you took up a certain role. I love to be an entertainer and be a part of a story that I would want the audience to see. Those experiences are priceless to me.
A lot of actors are moving away from the one-film-at-a-time format. Do you also feel the need to put out more work?
Yes, I want to work much more now. I want to connect with the audience at a better frequency. I’ve been a little too patient with some projects that I have been a part of, sometimes you just learn your lesson. I’m going to make some corrections on that front as well (smiles).
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