In keeping with the storyline of Qarib Qarib Singlle (QQS), in which the lead characters meet online and decide to take their relationship ahead as they travel to a few places together, the movie's team had the lead actors, Irrfan and Parvathy, tour various cities across India. Given the treatment of the romcom, which unfolds like a travelogue, Irrfan made a trip to the City of Joy, Kolkata to promote the film.

That's not all; members of the media along with Irrfan went on a boat ride on the river Hooghly with the Howrah Bridge in the backdrop. Recollecting the famous lines mouthed by Rajesh Khanna from a film shot in Kolkata, Amar Prem, Irrfan who was missing his leading lady from the film, south star Parvathy, (who couldn't travel with him) took to his social media handle and posted, “#Parvathy, I hate tears re!! Jald milo Mumbai mein, Kolkata ki date to #QaribQarib akele hi khatam ho gayee!!“  Meanwhile, Parvathy was quick to respond and say, “Irrfan #qaribqarib pohonch gaye Yogi ji!! No more tears! No more waiting in dating!“

Talking about the promotional strategy of the film, Sujay Kutty, business head of Zee Studios, one of the producers of the film says, “QQS is a quirky romantic film about two strangers who fall in love. While charting out the promotional strategy of the film we ensured that the usual methods that are adopted were not put to use here. It's important to be true to the film even with promotions and that's what we have done.“



Director Tanuja Chandra, who returns to filmmaking after over a decade with this slice-of-life film, adds, “The most interesting aspect of the promotion of Qarib Qarib Singlle has been that the media greets us with a smile! I guess that's what a spirited, fun film does; it gives us a break from our anxieties and troubles for a while. The promotion has brought in an element of sweetness and that's what has made it distinct for me.“

After a short trip to Kolkata, Irrfan launched the romantic number Jaane De from the film at a suburban restaurant in Mumbai. The team of Qarib Qarib Singlle will now be promoting the film in Delhi followed by Irrfan traveling to Aurangabad before the film opens in cinemas on November 10.

While Irrfan has based his character on his son Babil and is shown dressed in the quirkiest of clothes in the film, Parvathy will be seen in the avatar of the girl-next-door. The plot revolves around Jaya and Yogi, essayed by Parvathy and Irrfan respectively, who meet through an online dating website and set out on a journey . Whether they eventually fall in love; after travelling together through Rishikesh, Bikaner and Gangtok and experiencing various ups and downs, forms the rest of the plot.

He is a romantic at heart, but his idea of romance is a tad different. Just like his views on other things - Indian cinema, success and superstardom. Irrfan, never once had a shred of doubt about becoming an actor or his acting prowess. But yes, he confesses, “I was convinced ki actor toh bann jaayenge, par love stories karne ka mauka nahi milega.“ Once again, we will see him in a romantic role in Qarib Qarib Singlle, directed by Tanuja Chandra, where he lets the leading lady -Parvathy -take centre stage.In a chat with BT, he tells us about how he has always defied the norm -be it in love, life or movies.

In an earlier interview to BT, you had spoken about how you view romance very differently in movies and in reality. Qarib Qarib Singlle is yet another film where you are playing the romantic lead a tad differently from the usual fare...
Since relationship is an intrinsic part of a human being, the society wants to take control of it, be judgmental about it and put it in a mould. We need to know that it is our right and we should celebrate the phenomena. What is love and when do you 'fall in love', is a question we toy with all our life. We all have to find our own definition for this emotion.

Personally, does saying the three words (I Love You) come easy to you?
I say it all the time. Maybe not verbally, but in my mind.

But when expressed in words, it has a deeper impact. So, do your loved ones, including your wife, want to hear those magical words?
Oh, every day! Despite being a romantic person, I have not been able to express much love. There is so much of it bottled up that I take it out through my characters.

It’s also true that the more you get love, the more you want it…
That means you are seeking acknowledgment. During a break-up, the person who has to abide by the decision of his lover to split feels more miserable. It’s the ego that doesn’t allow him to take it well. That’s not love. For me, love is not about possessing someone. As human beings, we are bound to get hurt, but what’s important is how we deal with it — whether you impose restrictions on that person or understand her, let her explore and celebrate life with somebody else.

So, is that the premise of Qarib Qarib Singlle?
Though it doesn’t reach that point, there is a kind of interaction between the man and the woman that took me back to my past. I was born in a conventional family, where we couldn’t relate to the idea of two opposite genders getting friendly. For us, it either led to love or marriage. I was furious when my sister had an affair. I would feel, ‘Main uss saale ko jaan se maar doon’. Now it occurs to me that I was conditioned according to the societal norms. This film is a departure from the Irrfan I knew. In this one, the opposite gender is treated as an equal and her being a girl doesn’t come into play. It is about how a man and a woman come together organically, and evolve in a relationship.

When you began your career, actors were slotted more easily than today. For most part, you were seen as an actor who is here to play only intense, deep roles. Was it a struggle to break away from it?
Back then, I had never imagined that I would be offered love stories. Though I had this burning desire to do such films, I was convinced ki actor toh bann jaayenge, par love stories karne ka mauka nahi milega. I felt limited, but life is full of surprises. I think the desire was so intense that I ended up doing a love story in Hollywood. Having said that, everybody is not Shoojit Sircar. Who would have imagined me with Deepika Padukone in a romantic setup like Piku? At times, an actor has to stretch the imagination of the director to show that it’s a possibility and he can do the unthinkable.

Do you approach characters in Hollywood films differently vis-a-vis Hindi films?
Every film — national or international — has its own sur and sensitivity. Even in Hollywood, some films are layered, while some aren’t. You have to hold yourself back from burdening the film with your understanding, sensibility and experience. Some films don’t need it. In the beginning of my career, people would often tell me, ‘Yaar, thoda mota mota kar, thoda zor se bol, thodi kharaab acting kar le. Bhatt saab (Mahesh Bhatt) once told me that I should spoon-feed the audience. Woh mujhe line par laane ki koshish kar rahe the to fit into the requirement of commercial cinema. Sadly, most of our films post 60s aren’t ahead of time, and they are not offering what the audience would like to watch. I guess that’s why the audience don’t buy a movie ticket unless they are assured through word-of-mouth that the film is worth a watch. Five years down the line, it will be even more difficult for Hindi cinema to bring in the audience.

While Deepika played the title character in Piku, Tabu had a strong role in Maqbool. Saba Qamar’s was pivotal in Hindi Medium; In Qarib... too, Parvathy has an equally important part. You don’t seem to mind letting the heroine take centre stage...
While rehearsing my lines and thinking about my character in Qarib..., I reached the conclusion that the heroine is the main character. I was fascinated by her part, which is fantastic and multi-shaded. The first thing I told Parvathy when I met her was, ‘Aap toh bhai hero ho iss film ke. Humein bhi jagah de dena’. If the story becomes important for me, the length of my role doesn’t matter. If the heroine happens to be a narcissistic actress, then there will be a problem. However, I haven’t had any such experience, as I have a say in the casting of my films.

Is it because the characters in our films aren’t so nuanced?
We don’t make nuanced films. Agar superstars ka bas chale toh woh vanity van ke baahar hi camera laga lega, kyunki uska apna koi role nahi hai story sunane mein. There are very few directors who don’t give a damn if there is a superstar in their films; all they care about is the story. The rest of them are guided by the star’s image. This is the reason why when two-three good actors come together for a film, it often turns out to be a handicap as everybody is trying to pull the narrative towards them, taking the soul away from the story. In our country, people go mad watching Rajinikanth on screen. They go to watch Salman Khan and not the character he is playing. They might stop watching him if he plays the character seriously. Unko unka charm chahiye kyunki hamare yahaan film dekhna mele mein jaane jaisa hai. However, there is a huge chunk of evolved audience, which is now looking for a different experience.

It’s more convenient for studios to back films with superstars, no matter how good the content of a small film might be. The stars even take a call on the director and co-actors...
That’s true. No matter how good the subject is, the studio is more concerned about the star they have on board. But the system is changing because of the audience. If you notice the trend this year, movies like Hindi Medium, Bareilly Ki Barfi (produced by Junglee Pictures and B R Studios), Newton and Lipstick Under My Burkha have worked at the box office. The mindset won’t change till the time stars are leading it; it changes when the storytelling becomes diverse and important.

But box-office figures also matter, right? And in our industry, we often end up talking more about the BO numbers than the content of the film…
We have that perception and are propagating it. But then, actors like me are there to defy the notion (laughs).

There was a time when you were uncomfortable with your looks, but today, we often hear you being described as hot...
I enjoy such wonderful comments, but I don’t take them too seriously; I am not delusional. When I decided to become an actor, I always wondered whether a face like mine will ever make it big in the industry. I was in a naive way trying to see the possibility. So, I would try to change a few things about myself, like clasp my nose with a pin. I also felt that my upper lip was relatively higher and if somebody can make it droop a little, I might look like Randhir Kapoor. Every actor battles these doubts. Another thing that’s inevitable in an actor’s life is humiliation. I was so shy and conscious, that I never imagined I could ever face humiliation, but there is no escaping it. For an actor, acknowledgement and humiliation are two sides of the coin.

Parvathy Thiruvoth is as known for her work in South cinema - Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam - as for her candour. The actress, who had created quite a stir after opening up about the existence of casting couch in Malayalam cinema, is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Tanuja Chandra's Qarib Qarib Singlle, opposite Irrfan. The film has her playing Jaya, a modern woman searching for love. In an interview with BT, Parvathy talks about love and relationships, her B-Town debut and why she will only take up films that are strong on content. Excerpts...

What made you choose an unconventional love story to make your debut in Bollywood?
I am quite content with my work in Malayalam cinema and so, there was never any reason to look outside for opportunities. And then, one day, out of the blue, I got a message from Tanuja, asking me if I would like to work with her. I was thrilled, because her stories have strong characters. It was never about doing a 'female-oriented' film because I don't believe in the word, but I wanted the character to connect with me. I was not even bothered if the film would work because that's not in your hands.

You are one of the leading actresses in South cinema, but while you have played strong, diverse characters, you haven't done films opposite South superstars...
I have worked with big actors, but honestly, I don't judge the viability of a project on the basis of the star value attached to it. It does not matter if my co-actor is small or big. There are stars and then there are brilliant actors and I am happy that in Qarib Qarib Singlle, I am working with Irrfan, who falls in the latter category.

You are one of the few actresses in India,who is known for speaking her mind. Recently,you caused a stir after opening up on the existence of casting couch in the Malayalam film industry...
For me, talking about the casting couch in the Malayalam film industry was like calling the sky blue. There is nothing new about calling a spade a spade. My intention was not to create an effect; I just wanted to pluck a few weeds in the system and throw them out.

You are also associated with many social causes, including the fight against child abuse. In fact, you have even stated that you were a victim of abuse as a child...
I am not only an actor, I am an active citizen as well. Statistics show that 99 per cent of the women in our country have been abused during their childhood. I am a survivor and I chose to speak about it unlike some other actresses. I want to make the work space more dignified and safe for women

What drew you to Jaya, your character in Qarib Qarib Singlle?
There are times when we feel a vacuum in our lives. We get tired looking for a partner and get comfortable with the daily grind. We lose interest even in communicating with a person, because love is a lot of hard work. We are so busy, we forget that there is a part of us that needs emotional nourishment. Jaya is somewhat like that - a modern, challenging character. While she is looking for love, she also believes that all relationships need not be about a happily ever after. Just because your love story did not culminate in marriage, it does not mean that you loved less. The minute you plunge into a relationship with a goal, the essence of the journey is lost. So, it is important to love and enjoy the pres ent moment than think of the future.

You seem to have a profound take on love and relationships. So, what is your ideal man like?
More than anything else, he has to be genuine. I can easily sense if a person is pretentious, insecure or selfish. Looks have never mattered to me.

You said that looks don't matter to you. However, we generally tend to like all this good-looking, especially the lead pair...
Good-looking people and beautiful locations have nothing to do with romance. And that's what we are trying to change with our film. If we continue to feed audience with the idea that love happens only to pretty people, it is wrong. It is high time we change the narrative because many people are suffering due to such stories.

Qarib Qarib Singlle marks Tanuja's return to direction after a long gap. How was it working with her? As an actor, how different did you find Bollywood from the South film industry?
Tanuja is a taskmaster, but she also possesses a good understanding of people and their strengths. I also found Irrfan to be a generous actor. Films are all about teamwork and he did not keep his learnings to himself. It was great sharing knowledge with such creative individuals. Talking about the difference between Bollywood and the South film industry, the most striking one is the demography of the audience. Also, Hindi films have a larger reach and they enjoy bigger budgets. However, the goals of filmmaking are the same everywhere.