Actor Kriti Sanon, who came into the limelight right after her first Hindi release, Heropanti, is enjoying her stint as an actor. Her recent release, Luka Chuppi, is doing well at the box-office. The film, even after a mixed response from the critics, has won over the audiences.
Kriti Sanon spoke to THE WEEK about the response to the film, being a part of movies and doing a period film for the first time.
Your film is doing very well at the box-office. But there has been a fair amount of criticism coming on it's way too. What do you think of that?
I have only seen the positive (reviews) till now. There have been a few people who have not liked it as much. That, too, is fine because every person's point of view is different. Over all, the film is being enjoyed by most and the numbers that it has touched so far is a proof of that. I am overwhelmed with the response it has got. I am very thrilled and excited also. I think this is the kind of film which you want to go and watch with the audience in the theatre and see their reaction. Since it is a comedy, you hear the reaction when they laugh. I have actually gone to multiplexes as well as single screens to watch the film with the audience and heard their laughter and whistles, and that feeling is really satisfying.
Do you usually like watching your films in theatres after release? Have you got used to the attention that comes with being a celebrity?
I had watched my earlier films as well in theatres with audiences. It began with Heropanti. That gives you an insight on what the audiences are thinking. (The attention) is overwhelming and pleasant. This is what you work forthe love and the appreciation. It is overwhelming to see that you can actually affect so many people, bring a smile on their faces or inspire them with some film. It is a responsibility as well, when you have a fan following, whether it is on social media or anywhere.
Since you are talking about responsibilities, some celebs take it very seriously to talk about socio-political issues. You, on the other hand, mostly stay away from making any comments. Why have you made that choice?
I do speak about the issues that I have a very strong opinion about. But I feel like the world can do without my opinions. In the sense that sometimes what you say or write can be twisted and turned, and made into another thing. People have also lost patience. A healthy debate or conversation is not happening anymore. I would rather opt to have a conversation in person than put something on social media. On social media, there are no names to people. They don't fear being trashed because they are anonymous and can say anything and everything and get away with it. Also, because of the social media boom, smaller things affect and influence people. And in all that, I don't think I am the best person to give advice.
You don't come from the world of showbiz. Your parents are from academic world. You too studied engineering. Have you adapted to the life of this industry?
Obviously, life has changed a lot. Not only for me, but my family as well. I am a lot more in the limelight now. Suddenly, people know about you and are talking about you. And, not everything that is being said about you is true. My family has to deal with the fact that not everything is going to be true. They might also have to give explanations to their relatives and tell everyone around that certain things are not true. It has taken a bit of time, but slowly they have also got accustomed to the pros and cons of the industry. They have realised that I cannot go and shop with my mom. I can't buy her saris and suits that I used to earlier. At times, I feel bad about it too. Recently, she told me: you don't like what I wear and now you don't even come to buy things with me'. But I just cannot go. It is really annoying. But at the same time, it feels good when they are proud and happy when people say good things about me.
The characters in your last film, Bareilly Ki Barfi and now in Luka Chuppi, belong to small-town India. You have grown up in Delhi. Have you been surprised with anything about the small-town life?
So far, there hasn't been anything that I wasn't aware about. The two films have been more light-hearted and slice-of-life. I come from a simple, middle-class background. I have lived that simple life. I do relate to a mother saying that the girl is nice but the clothes she is wearing are short. I have seen those things around me. I have seen a nosey neighbour who keeps a track of everything that you are doing. It exists in a small town in a slightly different manner, but the crux is the same. I found these two stories and the characters very relatable. There wasn't a thing where I said, 'oh, aisa bhi hota hai!' I knew.
You have three more releases lined up this year, and you have a period film in Ashutosh Gowariker's Panipat...
I am really excited. It is my first period drama, and the first time that I am playing a character that has actually lived at some point in the history. Also, being a north Indian girl, playing a Maharashtrian character (Parvatibai) is completely different for me. Getting ready for the character in a Maharashtrian getup, you really feel like you are another person. With Ashu sir being on set, the kind of set that he has created and with the vibe on the set, you really transform into a different world. You will see me doing a bit of horse-riding and a bit of sword fighting, which is a first for me. It is really exciting to be playing a character that does so much.
There is little or no reference to Paravatibai in the history books. You will find stuff on Sadashiv Rao and the Panipat war, but not her. What makes her interesting is the flavour that Ashu sir has added to her character.
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