Rinky Kumar (BOMBAY TIMES; March 10, 2016)
With her unconventional roles, strong views and an insa tiable urge to explore the unknown, Kalki Koechlin has emerged as an actress who epitomises the modern Indian woman. The 32-year-old follows her heart and likes to lead life on her own terms. In fact, these were the aspects that attracted her towards the role of Laila, an 18-year-old who suffers from cerebral palsy, in Shonali Bose's critically-acclaimed film Margarita With A Straw. The effort has paid off as Kalki has been nominated in the Best Actress Critic's Choice category at the Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA) 2016 for her adept portrayal of a disabled character discovering her sexuality.
What prompted you to take up this role?
I liked the script. We hardly think about the sexual drive of disabled people. I have never thought about it myself. This movie opened my eyes. I loved the character of Laila. She is not a victim or someone who you feel bad for. She is naughty and loves to enjoy her life.
Has the TOIFA nomination come as a surprise?
I never expect a nomination as I rarely get nominated. So yes, it is a surprise.
You have vociferously expressed your thoughts about women's rights and matters close to your heart off-screen. Do you look for roles that reflect these values?
I don't have such grand plans when I write on social media or take up a role. For me, expressing my thoughts is writing or talking about something which deeply affects me. As artistes, we get an opportunity to explore human relationships and understand people who are different from us and then depict them on celluloid. I have played empowered characters as well as light-hearted roles in films. I am not dictated by social causes. I am an entertainer. I don't like to be stereotyped. I want to play roles that are real and want to make them believable.
Have you been stereotyped in real life due to your looks?
It's a funny situation as it's like two sides of the same coin. On one hand, we are obsessed with fair skin and on the other, I get to hear comments from people like, 'Go back to your country', 'You don't understand Indian values' or 'You have loose morals'. But those people don't know all of me. They don't know that I was born in Puducherry and can speak Tamil. Having said that, I have realised that it comes with the territory. Every celebrity gets criticised for some reason.
What prompted you to take up this role?
I liked the script. We hardly think about the sexual drive of disabled people. I have never thought about it myself. This movie opened my eyes. I loved the character of Laila. She is not a victim or someone who you feel bad for. She is naughty and loves to enjoy her life.
Has the TOIFA nomination come as a surprise?
I never expect a nomination as I rarely get nominated. So yes, it is a surprise.
You have vociferously expressed your thoughts about women's rights and matters close to your heart off-screen. Do you look for roles that reflect these values?
I don't have such grand plans when I write on social media or take up a role. For me, expressing my thoughts is writing or talking about something which deeply affects me. As artistes, we get an opportunity to explore human relationships and understand people who are different from us and then depict them on celluloid. I have played empowered characters as well as light-hearted roles in films. I am not dictated by social causes. I am an entertainer. I don't like to be stereotyped. I want to play roles that are real and want to make them believable.
Have you been stereotyped in real life due to your looks?
It's a funny situation as it's like two sides of the same coin. On one hand, we are obsessed with fair skin and on the other, I get to hear comments from people like, 'Go back to your country', 'You don't understand Indian values' or 'You have loose morals'. But those people don't know all of me. They don't know that I was born in Puducherry and can speak Tamil. Having said that, I have realised that it comes with the territory. Every celebrity gets criticised for some reason.