I am not pregnant: Kalki Koechlin

Currently shooting in Manali for yet another commercial entertainer — Ayan Mukherji’s Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani — actress Kalki Koechlin reveals that it has been a smooth transition for her from offbeat cinema, that she’d come to be associated with, to her new mainstream avtar.

Admitting that she’s gradually found a footing here, she’s now hoping to transcend genres and balance both. From films like Daayan to Shanghai to Yeh Jawaani, it’s a varied mix too.

“Interesting work is all that I want my choices to be described as, now whether it’s parallel arthouse, seeped in realism or a hardcore masala film, that doesn’t matter,” she says, as we catch up for a quick chat. Excerpts:

Q: Besides work, you have been busy dodging pregnancy rumours for quite some  time now…
A: Oh yes. And it’s funny too, considering that recently Anurag (director husband Anurag Kashyap) and I have only been in touch with each other over Skype. But even otherwise, I’m not even thinking about it. So, I’m not pregnant and there’s no chance of me getting pregnant anytime soon either.

Q: Have you both gotten used to being away from each other for such extended periods of time now?
A: No, I don’t think we can ever get used to being away from each other. We miss each other a lot (smiles).

Q: So when are you both teaming up for a film again?
A: There’s nothing in the pipeline as of now. But you know, our last two films together were very dark and intense, so now I would want to do something lighter with him.

Q: Has theatre taken a backseat?
A: Not completely. It’s on every now and then. We had our play staging in January, now my next, Hamlet, will be due in May and then July and I am already working on my next script as well.

Q: Now that you a full-on heroine, are you looking at item numbers as well?
A: I can’t dance to save my life (laughs), though I do enjoy dancing. I think I would love to take it up as a challenge and maybe surprise myself. So yes, why not?

Q: There was buzz that director Dibaker Banerjee turned hairstylist for you in Shanghai?
A: Oh that. Each time, I would set my hair and come out for the shot, he would completely tousle up my hair and make it look real messy for my character on screen, so yes he did in a way turn a hairstylist for me (smiles).