“Language Is Not At All A Barrier For A Good Actor”- Kashmira Pardeshi

Jyothi Venkatesh

Kashmira Pardesi who has made her debut with the Marathi film Rampaat had earlier acted in the Telugu film Narthanashala which is turn has also fetched her Bollywood debut in the form of Mission Mangal with Akshay Kumar. Now after the release of Rampaat, she is also awaiting the release of her Tamil debut Sigappu Manjal Pachchai.

You have just made your debut as a leading lady with renowned director Ravi Jadhav in his film Rampaat. How did you get the break?

Two years ago, when I came from Pune to Mumbai to seek a career in films as an actress, I got a call from Ravi Jadhav Sir and Zee Studios asking me to be a part of their film Rampaat. It was a dream come moment for me. I grabbed the offer because the film is in my mother tongue Marathi and Raviji had a lot of warmth as a person considering it was my debut film in Marathi as an actor. I have seen each and every film that Ravi Jadhav has directed right from Natrang. I think every Maharashtrian has seen his films. I would be lying if I didn’t say that I had been waiting for an offer like his for years.

You have already acted in films in South Indian languages.

Yes. I have acted in the Telugu film Narthanashaala , which has already been released and the Tamil film Sigappu Manjal Pachchai, which is yet to be released.

How was the experience of working with a director like Ravi Jadhav in Rampaat?

Racvi Sir is a creative genius. Since he knew that I had no film background at all of acting in films, he literally gave me a tour of the film industry, including character development to dialogue delivery to dubbing to background music. He does not have even a single loophole in his scripts and ensures that every film of his carries some subtle message without making it too blatant. Every actor wants to work with an acclaimed director. But to debut with a director of Ravi sir’s calibre was very exciting as well as daunting. I was thrilled with the opportunity and a little tense too at the same time because I had to make the most of it. Frankly, I never expected to get to work with him, but I was thrilled to be cast as the leading lady opposite Lakshmikant Berde’s son Abhinay Berde in the film.

What was your role in Rampaat?

I played the role of Munni, an aspiring wrestler who turns an actress who comes from a different background in the film. There are two different contrasting shades to her. Yes. I drew from real-life experiences for my role and had given myself a year to crack it as an actor. If that didn’t work out, I had a plan B in place. I would’ve gone back to designing. In a way, everything that led to Rampaat was a big experience and it made the task of playing Munni easy for me. I could relate to the character and also draw from experience there.

How did you prepare yourself for the part of Munni in Rampaat which has been garnering mixed responses?

Ravi Sir guided me thoroughly. I had to do a lot of language workshops. I had to work a lot on getting my Kolhapuri lingo as well as accent for the character. I also laid emphasis on the way I talk when I come to Mumbai in the film to be an actress. I also had to go to Kolhapur to learn the language as is spoken there and do practices in wrestling too. I had to make my characters as authentic as possible to make them credible on the screen.

How did you bag your debut film in Bollywood- Mission Mangal?

Apparently, my look and performance in my Telugu debut film Narthanasala was the clincher. I had auditioned for various tests for the film, and I am glad that director Jagan Shakti Sir liked my performance and gave me a chance. I am doing a small role in the film. My character has been etched so gracefully that I could not have asked for a better dream launch in Bollywood debut. While the Jagan Shakti directorial already has an ensemble cast, including Vidya Balan, Sonakshi Sinha, Taapsee Pannu and Nitya Menen, it is pertinent to note that I too will be seen in a pivotal role.

Now that Rampaat has been released, how open are you to continue to work in films down South too?

I have not stopped accepting meaty roles down South even now and I am open to  do good work with interesting and intense characters in films in Tamil as well as Telugu.

Who are your favorite actors and actresses in Bollywood?

My favorite actress is Taapsee Pannu and I admire the way of her selection of films. Akshay Kumar is my favorite actor. I am glad that I have been able to get to act in my very first film in Hindi –Mission Mangal with both of them.

Where do you look at yourself, say after five years?

After five years, I hope to be in a place of repute as an actress 8in both Bollywood as well as South Indian film industry, besides of course Marathi. Today there is no barrier of language and it is the content that matters a lot and not the platform. I am even open to be part of interesting web series too.

Besides Mission Mangal, which other film of yours is awaiting release?

I am waiting for the release of the Tamil film Sigappu Manjal Pachchai. I have been teamed in the film with actors like Siddharth, G.V Prakash and Lijamol Joseph. I play the lead character of a young girl who basically wants to keep the family together

What kind of films do you want to be a part of?

I want to do good films which are women-centric and have interesting characters that are inspired by women who call the shots.

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Tags: Bollywood, Bollywood News, Bollywood Updates, Television, Telly News,   Kashmira Pardeshi, Interview, Marathi film, Rampaat