Having carved a unique niche for herself during her decade-long TV career, Kritika Kamra's transition into films and the digital space has been quite impressive in terms of her acting prowess in recent times.
In her latest release on Amazon Prime, Bambai Meri Jaan, she embodies the highly intense character of Habiba Kadri, the formidable sister of gangster Dara Ismail. Largely inspired by the bestselling book Dongri to Dubai: Six Decades of the Mumbai Mafia by crime journalist-turned-author S. Hussain Zaidi, this crime-thriller has been an incredibly fulfilling experience for her, both as an actor and as a person. The actress believes that women are either the moral compass or pawns in a male-dominated underworld business, but Habiba breaks this mold entirely.
Elated by the immense response to her work, Kritika discusses her process, craft, and future prospects with The WEEK :
How was it for you to grapple with the thought process, dialect, and especially the cruel emotionality of Habiba?
Habiba’s emotionality and morality are what set her apart from a regular girl; hence, it was quite an interesting character to explore. I had to understand that in the dog-eat-dog world she lives in, power is the ultimate goal. She cares more about the end than the means. I had many discussions with our director, Shujaat Saudagar, about Habiba’s motivation, her relationship with her family members, and her personal ambitions. He helped me understand Habiba and what informs her actions.
For the dialect and body language, I was lucky to have Abbas Dalal and Hussain Dalal, our dialogue writers who are well-versed with the part of the city our show is based in. They conducted multiple readings and workshops with me and the other actors.
As a genre, period-crime was completely new for you. How did you find a point of reference?
There was no point of reference, to be honest (smiles). There are great references for this genre, but not for my character. Women in this genre are either the moral compass or pawns in a male-dominated business. But Habiba is an active part of the gang, a contender for the top position. She has no remorse or dilemma. She is no damsel in distress. She is not in the story to only bear the consequences of her brother’s actions. She has a mind of her own and a journey of her own. It is refreshing to see an original character with a great arc. I tried my best to shape her as close to the script and Shujaat’s vision.
How challenging was it to portray a character like Habiba in a way that ensures its morally grey or negative elements do not get glamourised?
As an actor, you have little control over the creatives; you are a tool. But you do have a choice. And I’m very particular about the people I collaborate with. In this case, there was no scope for doubt. Right from the beginning, I had unshakable trust in the creators. I know the kind of people they are and the intent behind making this show. They are responsible artists and citizens. The show has been carefully crafted to tell this story in the most authentic way, but it’s also a cautionary tale. We do not judge these characters; that does not mean we agree with them or are trying to make them heroes.
Would you consider this your most intense experience, given the various shades and layers of human elements it encompasses?
Without a doubt. This was the most intense and immersive experience I have had as an actor so far. It is a challenging character, far from my real personality in many ways. It is a completely new world with new rules. And this show was also shot over two years. We faced multiple challenges like the lockdowns and then a storm that tore our set apart. So this has been a tough process for all of us involved in this. But it has also been the most rewarding one for me. I have grown as an actor and as a human through the making of this show. And now with the release, it’s also getting me appreciation and opportunities like never before.
How do you perceive the crime-thriller genre in relation to realism?
I would say that crime-thriller is a popular genre because as humans we are drawn towards the unknown, towards darkness. We also live in a violent world that we cannot make sense of. I think that is why we are drawn to these stories. We want to understand what makes people bad. What makes an outlaw? With realistic depictions on screen now, we get a glimpse of this psyche. Apart from putting forth engrossing stories, I hope the medium can also teach our society a bit about the cycle of violence and the deep-rooted issues that fuel it.
What's your perspective on 'Bambai', not only as a city but also as an ambition, emotion, and process?
I think, for an outsider like me, 'Bambai' will forever be the 'city of dreams'. I found my love for acting, my purpose, my identity in this city. And now there is a small piece of it I call home. Mumbai has given me everything. I thrive in the mad pace of this city and am grateful for the kindness of strangers and non-interference of neighbors. And then, of course, for an actor, you want to be where the film industry is. There’s no other place I'd rather live in.
Is OTT a more thought-provoking medium, as it enables stories like BMJ to be explored in a justified way?
There is certainly more creative freedom on OTT compared to films and TV. We are witnessing some self-censorship now, but overall, there are fewer restrictions. Ideas are not hindered by box office numbers or TRPs. There is no established formula yet, and that is why the content is so diverse. The power is in the hands of the viewers, and they have a wide range to choose from. It’s an exciting space for new voices and fresh ideas. It allows for a focus on storytelling and quality. Bambai Meri Jaan'is a project of massive scale, and we are fortunate to have had a big platform and rock-solid producers who brought it to life without compromising on cinematic quality. This is only possible on OTT today.
What's your next move on the cinematic front?
I have completed shooting for a Netflix series that will be released next year. Currently, I am in the process of dubbing for my upcoming show Gyaarah Gyaarah. This is the first web series co-produced by Sikhya Entertainment and Dharma Productions. It is directed by Umesh Bist and is scheduled for release next month. In this series, I play an upright police officer, and I am excited to see how people react to this character after seeing me as a gangster. Now, I am looking for something lighthearted to work on next. I think a romance would be perfect (laughs).
