Kalki Koechlin, renowned for her diverse and impactful roles in Bollywood, recently spoke about her latest film, “Goldfish,” which explores themes of dementia and the complex relationship between a daughter and her mother.
Directed by Pushan Kripalani, the movie hit theaters on September 1, receiving significant attention. In this interview, Kalki shares her thoughts on her career, motherhood, and the exciting projects awaiting her.
From Faiza to Anamika: A Diverse Journey of Kalki
Kalki has been making headlines for her remarkable transition from playing Faiza in the web series “Made In Heaven” to portraying Anamika, a belligerent daughter dealing with her ailing mother in “Goldfish.”
When asked about these back-to-back releases, she quipped, “When it rains, it pours.” She appreciates the opportunity to diversify her roles, embracing each character’s challenges. Kalki finds joy in the rarity of such experiences and is grateful for the simultaneous releases.
Kalki’s Upcoming Projects
Kalki’s forthcoming slate includes “Kho Gaye Hum Kahan,” directed by newcomer Arjun Singh, where she stars alongside Siddhant Chaturvedi. This commercial script delves into a relevant and compelling subject.
While there are other projects listed online, a couple of them, “Emma” and “Angel,” along with “Kaash,” are yet to see the light of day.
Proud Moments in Kalki’s Career
When asked about roles that hold a special place in her heart, Kalki highlighted her portrayal of Laila in “Margarita With A Straw.”
She emphasized the significance of the intense preparation that went into the role, a luxury actors seldom enjoy. Additionally, she fondly recalled her experience in “Shanghai” (2012) with director Dibakar Banerjee, despite the film’s mixed reception.
Kalki’s Evolving Priorities
Kalki’s priorities have evolved with motherhood, making her more selective about her projects. She acknowledges the need to strike a balance between commercial and independent work. She now values quality over quantity and insists on being fully convinced, artistically or commercially, before committing to a project.
Kalki also expressed her desire to star in a biopic, especially about Sister Nivedita, and explore the action genre to showcase strong female characters, akin to “Charlie’s Angels” (2000).
Immersion of Kalki in “Goldfish”
Discussing her role in “Goldfish,” Kalki revealed that she had invaluable resources at her disposal, with the writer, Arghya Lahiri, drawing from his own experiences as his father battled dementia. Deepti Naval, who played her mother in the film, had also been a caregiver to her own mother with dementia.
Director Pushan Kripalani, hailing from a theater background, facilitated extensive rehearsals and readings. He emphasized the need for Anamika’s character to possess a genuine Cambridge-Oxford accent, signifying her journey of acceptance.
Kalki: An Ensemble of Unique Characters
“Goldfish” explores the mother-daughter relationship and introduces an intriguing array of characters in a British neighborhood. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Kalki praised the supporting cast, which includes Gordon Warnecke and Bharti Patel.
She appreciated how the film highlighted the diversity within the Indian and Asian communities, breaking stereotypes and showcasing the uniqueness of each character.
In conclusion, Kalki Koechlin continues to captivate audiences with her versatile acting and dedication to her craft. As she balances her career and motherhood, she eagerly awaits exciting projects and hopes to make her mark in the world of biopics and action films, all while cherishing the rare and diverse opportunities that come her way.
