‘I don’t want to be replaceable’, says Yami Gautam

A few years ago, before the release of Vicky Donor, we had met Yami Gautam for a chat. The debutante not only offered us a cup of coffee but also ensured that our photographer standing outside the café, scouting for a location to shoot her pictures, had one too. Such gestures always leave a lasting impression. When we reminded her of the same recently, she laughed and said, “Would you like a cup of coffee? What about your photographer?”

In her own words, she’s the ‘quintessential girl-next-door’. So, when one heard her say the line, ‘Zyada naatak kiya na, toh tere akhrot tere moonh se baahar nikal doongi’, in the trailer of Uri: The Surgical Strike, one couldn’t help but ask how she felt mouthing it. 

The actress, who plays an intelligence officer working in the National Security Agency (NSA) in the Aditya Dhar-directorial, said with a laugh, “It didn’t feel like a big deal because I was just doing my job. The director wanted to keep it as real and authentic as possible. I didn’t know this dialogue will catch on so much. I saw some memes that people are sharing and they are quite funny.” She spoke to After Hrs about why the film means so much to her. Excerpts...

What are the kind of reactions you have received for the trailer of Uri?

The reactions have been positive. What’s special about Uri is the fact that the response that we are getting, be it from the industry or people or the media, is all heartfelt. Someone asked me, ‘How are you managing to look and sound so upbeat after a long day of promotions?’ Honestly, this is the only thing that keeps us going. I’m excited only because I’m proud to talk about Uri.

How was it to work with Vicky Kaushal?

There’s no doubt that he’s a fantastic actor, but being a good performer and being a good co-actor can be two different things. He’s both. There are some co-stars who, you know are watching out for you. You can trust them without feeling fear or inhibitions. For instance, if there is a scene where he has done well and I felt I haven’t, I would expect him to say, ‘Yami, do you want to do it this way?’ That’s what action and reaction is. He’s really spontaneous, but he comes well-prepared, too.

We haven’t had many women playing intelligence officers in Hindi films. What sort of preparation went into the role?

I didn’t have any references for my character. When we were doing workshops with Atul Mongia, I asked him what I could do. He told me that he can suggest movies where women have played intelligence officers, which honestly, are not many. But he added — you wouldn’t get it from anywhere but within yourself. 

When you get such a role, you always get into that mode where you think you’re going to deliver a dialogue in a certain way or play that character in a particular manner, but you don’t have to do anything artificial — especially in NSA. They have to be the most believable people. It was about understanding the layers of the character. I might be saying a line but there is a whole range of complex emotions inside my head. How do you hold it? Holding it and yet expressing, is something I learnt while filming Uri.

Looking at your recent films, including Batti Gul Meter Chalu (BGMC), it seems like you have been picking up content-driven roles...

Absolutely. I want to be seen in films or play characters where you can see only me. I don’t want to be replaceable. Though that may not be the case in every instance, that’s my attempt. It might take more time, but that’s alright. The only way I can give a voice to my choice is through the kind of projects I do. If your film doesn’t do well, especially when you’re trying to make it on your own, opportunities may get a little restricted. Whatever choices you make will be out of the options that you have at that point of time. You should do what appeals to your sensibilities and you feel is going to help you stay relevant. You have to find your own space. If it takes a longer time and a lot of effort, that’s alright.

Is that why you did BGMC?

In the film, I played a character, that people had not seen me before. I want to do roles that challenge me as an actor and take me out of my comfort zone.

Does the length of your role matter?

Of course, you want to be on screen as much as possible. But when your vision is bigger, then these things seem inconsequential. People may question it saying, ‘Arey, why did she do such a small role?’ I don’t have an image. I’m the quintessential girl-next-door and will never run away from it. But as an actor, I need to add dimensions to myself.

The only release you had this year was BGMC. Were you disappointed when it didn’t do well?

I wasn’t heavily disappointed because I was already shooting Uri, which is a very special film for me. It’s when you don’t give your 100 per cent to the film or don’t have a good time working on it that leaves a bitter taste in your mouth but that wasn’t the case. I had a great time working with Shree sir (director Shree Narayan Singh) and Shahid Kapoor. When I saw the film at a private screening, I was kind of prepared in my heart for that kind of response, so I wasn’t exactly shocked.

What’s in the pipeline?

I am reading something. As I said, the attempt is to do something different again.