A chat with Amrita Rao, who will be seen on the big screen after a six-year hiatus
Amrita Rao, who was last seen on the big screen in Satyagraha (2013) and made her television debut with Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai (2016), has stayed away from the limelight for quite some time. But when we tell her that she seems to have disappeared after tying the knot with radio jockey Anmol two-and-a-half years ago, she insists she has very much been around. The petite actress informs us that she has started her YouTube channel recently to share her experience in the industry over the years. On the movies front, she will next be seen as Meenatai in Thackeray, the biopic on the late Shiv Sena supremo Balasaheb Thackeray. A quick Q and A with Amrita...
What have you been up to all this time?
Quite a lot (smiles). I’ve been doing a little bit of cooking. I’m also learning Konkani. I organise things well, so I’ve been using my managerial skills to take care of the house. Over the last year, I’ve also enjoyed making videos in which I share trivia about my films. Most of them have been popular on television and are fondly watched. So I started my channel on YouTube where I share little-known things like how I was cast in Main Hoon Na (2004), shooting a one-take song like Chale Jaise Hawayein, my first meeting with Soorajji (Barjatya), my most difficult scenes and how I prepared for them, to name some. And of course, working on Thackeray was exciting.
Even your new film comes after a considerable break.
Thackeray came after Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai, my debut on TV. It was a fantastic series and required a lot of technique because when you act in a television serial, it’s like doing four films at a time.
It’s not a two-hour thing, every day we were churning material for half-hour episodes. It had a lot of emotion, drama and really tested my acting skills. Moreover, I was in the company of actors like Deepti Naval, Pallavi Joshi, Zarina Wahab and Rituraj Singh. It was a lovely and enriching experience.
What prompted you to take up Thackeray?
It’s a huge compliment to be approached for Meenatai Thackeray’s role when you’re the only choice because of the image you have. I have earned the image for myself. I also got the opportunity to work with Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who is a brilliant actor. There were many firsts for me while working on this film. I cherished every day of the shoot, since the time we began in February last year. Acting in this movie has been truly a unique experience.
Aren’t you worried about being typecast in character roles after this?
I’ve been approached for ethnic roles and I’m okay with that. The characters that I have played have resonated with the audience. Most of my films have repeat value, my characters are remembered and audiences watch the movies on satellite television again and again. Vivah (2006) often plays during the weekends and when I travel for events or appearances, it’s overwhelming to hear people say they’ve watched it over 20 times. You feel blessed to have a film that has become your larger identity. Not every actor is blessed with a movie like that.
Have you signed up any other project?
I will reveal in good time. After acting for years, now it’s interesting to explore new-age content. The scripts are changing and the audiences’expectations have also increased. Today, it’s more about scripts and content. That what makes it the right moment for actors to explore themselves.
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