Kiara Advani | AFP
After two back-to-back successes (Kabir Singh and Good Newwz), Kiara Advani plays a rebel in her latest Netflix film, Guilty. Her last three roles have been as different as chalk and cheese, and that is the trajectory she wants to be on. With four more releases lined up this year, Advani has much on her plate.
Q\ Your role in Guilty is very different from what you have done earlier.
A\ The script was so compelling. In the first narration itself, I was completely immersed. I kept guessing who had done it, but Ruchi (Narain, director) asked me to wait, as it was not even the half-way point. And, it was so relevant, raising so many concerns about issues related to gender, sexism and privilege. Without being preachy, the narrative conveyed so much.
Q\ Was it difficult to essay the character?
A\ I would say challenging more than difficult. But if it does not challenge you, you cannot grow. Ever since the film’s first picture came out, everyone has been interested in my character [because of how she looks]. Ruchi and Atul (Mongia, acting coach) helped me put this persona together. A lot of prep went into creating [my character] Nanki—from the hair and tattoo to the piercing and the body language. We did many workshops. It was extensive.
Q\ You have had your share of struggles before Lust Stories turned things around. How do you look back on your journey as an actor?
A\ It has been amazing. For me, it has always been about the content. A lot of people would have probably hesitated to take up Lust Stories. I never thought about what platform it was going to be on, or who was going to be in it. [Only] the story would have compelled me to be a part of it. I have just been lucky that each of them has been so different from the other. And the line-up has been such that after Kabir Singh, no one thought I would be the Punjabi girl of Good Newwz, and after that, I don’t think anyone was expecting me to be a white-haired, rebellious, tattooed girl in Guilty.
Q\ Even though it was one of the most successful films of 2019, Kabir Singh got its share of criticism. After that, has there been a change in the way you select roles?
A\ It is a fictional story. I did not let the criticism get to me much. I think up until now, the films have chosen me. All my films this year—whether it is Indu Ki Jawani, Shershaah, Laxmmi Bomb, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 or Guilty—fell into my lap.