“I actually really like to empathise with the role that I’m playing”

ADITI CHENGAPPA

In this exclusive telephonic interview for bollyy.com and Mayapuri, ADITI CHENGAPPA, who has been cast opposite Sharman Joshi in the film Stains Grahams Ek Ankahi Sachai which is being streamed on ShemarooMe Box Office from yesterday , tells JYOTHI VENKATESH that OTT is definitely moving into that the space of tomorrow but it’s not a replacement of theatres

What exactly inspired you to take up the role as Sharman Joshi’s wife in Staines Grahams-Ek Ankahi Baat?

I thought it was a brilliant opportunity. This story has never been told. It is the first time that someone thought to make a film about Graham Staines; it was a pretty big issue. The other factor was that it was being told from the eyes of a journalist and my father Raj Chengappa has been a journalist for almost 40-50 years in Delhi. He’s the group editorial director of India Today magazine. So I think I straight away liked the fact that the story is being narrated from the eyes of the journalist and that he is out there trying to write the truth and my father has always approached his writing and journalism like that, which is why it appealed to me.

Why did you not want to pursue journalism?

 Everyone asks me this question. I did do BA English Honours but the fact is, I don’t like to write about reality. I have always written poetry and I don’t really like to write about what is happening, I find it a little disturbing, honestly. That's why I didn’t choose that path. Ironically my co-star in the film is Prakash Belwadi, who was a journalist as well at one time.

How come you have never seriously tried your hand at Hindi films?

Honestly, from the beginning I had never had the plan to become an actor; I was into music and yoga. I met my guru when I was 9 years old and my mom has been teaching yoga for over 20 years now. So, these two things have always been a major influence. I have trained in music as well. Movies just happened to me and that is why I never approached it with any goal for any particular industry or language and just took what came to me along the way.

Which was your first film as an actor?

My first film was a Telugu film called Takita Takita. It was not about dancing but just a playful name given to a comedy. It was an ensemble cast, of a group of friends and what happened to them through school and college, and there were no particular leads

How did you get that break?

It will sound like a filmy story. I was at a wedding and at the sangeet I danced and sang with my guitar and the director happened to be there. And he thought I would be good for that part and asked if I could audition. My parents agreed and that’s what happened. It was in 2008

What is your approach as an actor towards acting?

I actually really like to empathise with the role that I’m playing. Empathy I feel always plays a big factor. I teach yoga as well and empathy is the highest factor when teaching. I always had that quality in me and that is how I approach acting as well. So, whatever the story is, I try and go into what that character might have been feeling in those situations and that is how I try to portray it.

Till date how many films have you been part of?

I have not been keeping track, actually. I have not been particularly active in the industry, as it's not my main goal to be the number one actress. I’ve said no to roles that I did not want to do. There were many glamorous roles I’ve declined in the South as well. It's not regret but it just didn’t work for me.

Do you have a bias towards glamorous roles?

I wouldn’t say it is a bias. It just isn’t how I want to portray myself. There is a very different connotation, where you are just there to show some skin which doesn’t fit in with what I want to do.   It’s just that whatever I did I liked the story and the character in it. I don’t think one can always have the opportunity to do impactful roles, which is rare. I felt Graham Staines- Ek Ankahi Sachai is an impactful story and hence I took it up after quite a long break

Why the break and how long?

I would not do something if that doesn’t connect with me and I have yoga and so many other things going around for me. So I guess the break was for about 2-3 years. In other words, acting is not the be all and end all as far as I am concerned.

Can you name your personal best 5 films?

I’m just going to pick Graham Staines Ek Ankahi Sachai because I had one of the most beautiful experiences while shooting it. I had tears in my eyes while reading the script. Even in terms of as an actor, director Anish Daniel sir has such a wonderful quality of allowing you to give a little bit of yourself into it. You are free to interpret the scene in a way that you would like as well and he will hear you out and he will take a bit from and come to a beautiful result.

In what way have you grown as an actor?

I think just like any of the creative fields, if you grow as a human being, if you have more life experiences, then the depth of expression grows, be it any field, - dance music, acting or painting. The depth of your experiences changes the way you perform. There is far more depth in the way I would perform now.

What difference do you find in working in Hindi, regional and English film?

I can’t say there is a difference as such. Ultimately it is lights, camera and action. With every film the cast and crew are different and you have different experience with each other. But there is not much difference in terms of language.

What does acting mean to you?

To me it is just another beautiful way to express your creativity, like music is all the time

Has there been any opportunity for you to show your talent in films as a singer?

No, I don’t think I ever even thought about it. There was no question of doing it. I was focused on acting and also now I’m working on my music. So, I’m sure that’ll happen soon.

Which are the singers that have left a deep impact on you/ inspired you?

I am a massive fan of Sonu Nigam and Mohammad Rafi. And amongst female singers, I cannot choose any one because they all have their niches.

Is it necessary for an actor to get trained before he/she sets out to act?

 I did not officially train in acting. But I did have an amazing workshop before my first film. I had no plans to be an actor. I feel different directors will say different things about that. On one hand it's great if a person has studied the craft but on the other hand if you get someone who hasn’t studied it their expressions would be very raw and natural and this is my experience. That is the comment I got initially that they liked my expression because they did not seem practiced. So, I think that played to my advantage. But if you are really passionate and want to practice it you should definitely study it. It is always a good opportunity to learn more and be better.

Which are the directors whose names are on your wish list?

I don’t actually have a list. I’ve always been interested in stories; I never approached any director but anyone would say that she would want to be a part of a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film or Mani Ratnam’s film. I think for Rudramadevi, I was very excited because I was finally going to be a part of an epic film and going to see those large sets and wear those kinds of clothes and all. I played Rudramadevi's younger sister.

Which are your favourite actors?

I’ve always been an SRK fan and in the south, I’ve not picked anyone like that, having not seen many south Indian films.

Have you been exposed to various cultures and language films in Delhi?

Yes. With everything online, you can watch with just switching on the subtitles. But someone has to recommend the movies to me-Telugu or Tamil. Otherwise at home my parents, one is Tamil and other is Telugu but they talk to each other in both the languages.

Graham Staines Ek Ankahi Sach is being streamed from today on the OTT platform ShemarooMe Box office. Do you think this is a good opportunity for you to showcase yourself as an actor?

I never really looked at it that way; I just thought it is a great film. I’m just happy that people, who missed the theatrical release of the English version Grahams Staines The Least of These ,last year, can watch it and the fact that it is in Hindi, means even more people can watch it and really sort of take in the story and know what it is really about. It was shot in English and later dubbed, though I did not dub it myself. i plan to watch the Hindi version on ShemarooMe Box Office

Do you think the OTT is the hope of the future as far as cinema is concerned?

It is definitely moving into that space but I can't say it’s a replacement. Because I personally love the feeling of going and watching films on an extra large screen, which is definitely not going to happen at home anytime soon. I certainly enjoy that experience. It is a definite step for more people to be able to view in theatres

What do you think you will be doing ten years hence?

I really don’t know. I don’t even know what I’ll be doing 10 months from now! But I hope whatever I'm doing will be something I love and I am surrounded by the people I love.

Your first love is music, yoga or acting?

It is a tough one to answer. I don’t think I can pick one easily. I definitely have a deeper passion for teaching and yoga. Meditation and yoga have even improved by music. For me, yoga and music are my first loves whereas acting is my extra marital affair

Which are your forthcoming projects?

I'm not doing any films right now. I’m very busy teaching online yoga and just staying safe at home