‘I’ve never focused on the results’: Shraddha Kapoor on 'Stree' success, Batti Gul Meter Chalu and more

The spark in Shraddha Kapoor’s eyes is unmistakable. The actress is justifiably upbeat because she is fresh off the back of her superhit outing Stree and has Batti Gul Meter Chalu (BGMC), which releases this Friday. “For every film I do, I focus on giving it my 110 per cent and hope people will go to watch it and be entertained,’’ the light-eyed beauty says when we catch up with her for a tête-à-tête. She also tells us about her upcoming films, sweating it out for her turn as Saina Nehwal in the national badminton champ’s on-screen memoir, rumours of a link-up with photographer Rohan Shrestha, and more. Excerpts...

The success of Stree must have come as a career boost after your films last year didn’t fare too well...

I’ve never focussed on the results. Hits and misses are not in your hands. When a movie succeeds, it feels great. At the same time, I can’t be complacent about it. I have to keep working hard and do the best I can. I find it shocking yet amazing that Stree has become a blockbuster. I had hoped for it to do well, but didn’t know it would be such a huge hit.

Your next release is BGMC. What was your first reaction to the script?

My first reaction was, ‘Wow!’ The content is so special. It’s a well-written story on a prevalent issue about how power companies can affect big as well as smaller towns. This is the first time I’ve been offered something with a social connect. I had loved Shree Narayan Singh’s Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, which conveyed an important message in an entertaining manner without being preachy.

How was it working with Shahid Kapoor again after Haider?

It was a great experience — especially on something that is so different from our first film together. Haider was an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play, while this is a socially-relevant subject. It was great to explore this genre with Shahid. Having worked with him in the past, there was a comfort level that helped us essay our parts effortlessly.

Tell us about your experience of shooting in a small town like Tehri where the comforts you’re used to are not available easily.

As a matter of fact, I don’t want things to be available easily. I also need a good dose of nature every now and then to keep me calm. Uttarakhand is such a fabulous place that you feel you’re in heaven because there are no crowds, traffic and constant honking. I didn’t want the shoot to end.

I just wanted to stay there and disconnect from everything. After the shoot or on a day off, I would sit in my balcony and lose myself to nature for hours. Even as a shot would be readied, I would take off to look around. I felt I needed it.

What was your greatest takeaway from a socially-relevant film like Batti Gul Meter Chalu (BGMC)?

As an actor, I felt it was a great opportunity to be a part of a film that can stimulate Indians’ thinking about issues in the country today. If people connect with this movie, it will make a big difference.

What scope does your Lalita 'Nauti' Nautiyal have in a story that revolves around Shahid's character?

BGMC is as much the story of the two friends as it is of Shahid’s Sushil Kumar Pant and how an important issue affects one of them. Lalita has a strong conscience from the beginning, she never approves Sushil’s ways or the fact that he is a kapti lawyer. She stands for what she believes is right and wants to fight for justice for their friend.

You also have Saaho with Baahubali star Prabhas coming up...

It’s also my first bilingual project. It’s a challenging film because, after every scene in Hindi, I have to do it in Telugu, which I have never spoken before. I would spend hours mugging my lines. It’s amazing working with a director and a team who are so passionate about cinema. I haven’t done a movie or a role like this before. And, of course, working with Prabhas is a great experience.

One hasn’t heard much about the biopic on Saina Nehwal since its announcement. What’s happening on that front?

It’s going on floors this month and I’m eagerly waiting to put my best foot forward. I feel badminton is the second most difficult sport after basketball. It’s a huge challenge to play the sport professionally, like Saina. When you see her in action on the court, she is in a fast forward mode. It’s an extremely rigorous and exhausting task and I’m giving it all I can.

Usually, actors working in onscreen memoirs only focus on that project. Did prepping for this one get tougher since you had alluring subjects like Stree and BGMC?

There are no rules for prepping for a bio. Every actor has their own way of working. You know the director’s vision and you have to come up with the best possible way to do justice to it. Since last year, I’ve been practising badminton off and on. Even on days that I wasn’t shooting, I would train in the mornings.

According to the grapevine, photographer Rohan Shrestha is the man in your life. Is that true?

I’m not bothered by link-up rumours. It’s the part and parcel of being an actor. I’m happy focussing on acting. It would be a cliché to say that I’m married to my work and films. I will just say that I don’t want to speak about my personal life.