Nimrat Kaur: I don't fear being judged because I don't take judgments seriously | Exclusive

Nimrat Kaur says she got to say cool dialogues like a 70s' hero while playing a cop in Sajini Shinde Ki Viral Video

Nimrat Kaur plays the role of a policewoman, Bela Barot, investigating the case of a missing school teacher, in the film Sajini Shinde Ki Viral Video. The Mikhil Musale directorial was released theatrically in October last year and was subsequently released on OTT. Ahead of the film’s television premiere, Nimrat spoke to Mid-day.com about how she ensured her role was ‘badass and edgy’, and the cool lines she got to mouth while playing the character.

Excerpts:

What was the brief given to you for the character of Bela Barot? What kind of a cop did you want her to be? 

So Mikhail Musale, who's the writer-director of the movie, was very clear that Bela Barot was very badass, very sexy and understated and not somebody who was acting cool for the sake of it. She owns her space. She knows she's cool. She doesn't have anything to prove. She's out there a girl in a man's world doing what she does best. She kind of lies low a bit. She's aware of how she looks, but she kind of hides behind clothes and no makeup and hair tied up.

She's a bit of an underdog, a bit underappreciated, very hardworking, but doesn't make a big deal about it. There's no impulsive, random behaviour just because she has the power to do things. Honestly, this has been some of the best dialogues I've been able to say as an actor. I really enjoyed that a lot. Such cool lines, it's the kind of lines that heroes in the ’70s would have. The vision that Mikhil Musale had in mind was Brad Pitt from Moneyball. Even at our first cast read, we had a reference sheet, it had Brad Pitt’s photo, my name wasn’t even on it.

Your character represents a certain kind of feminism, different from that of the student counsellor Shraddha in the film. What did you think of that?

They're actually representing different strata of society. They come from different economic backgrounds and privileges, or the lack of it. Shraddha and Bela are fighting for the same cause, but with a different approach. And honestly, who can really judge what's right and wrong? Bela is very judgmental about these people who at kitty parties, over wine and coffee and cheese, are deciding what they want to stand up for on social media. She's the boots on the ground. She's getting her hands dirty. For her, candle matches and things like that are just for the rich and the privileged, where no real change actually happens.

Who do you relate to more? What kind of a feminist are you? 

I feel feminism is a term which is, quite misunderstood. Some people think it's aggression as a woman. Some people think it's a cause or a movement. It's all kinds of strange convoluted versions one hears as a girl. Are you a feminist or not is also a question. I think I've lived my life as one. I don't need to be one. I have lived life with a certain set of values that I was brought up with. I don't want to be denied any opportunities because I'm a girl, and at the same time, I don't want to be given privileges because I am.  So I do agree with Bela Barut there a lot.

Sajini Shinde deals with how society judges women. Actresses are also constantly scrutinized. How do you deal with that?

I have always enjoyed taking risks with my work. Whether it was a Homeland or a Dasvi, where the character isn't all lovable and likeable, cute and funny. I like to play characters which are a little bit on the edge, where the audience is left confused - do we like this person or not? That conflict for me is very exciting to create as an actor. I've been brought up with a set of values, Army kid, everything's done by the book and always conforming. So, maybe this is my way of expressing myself as a person, where I take up parts which don't have to be in my comfort zone. I've always enjoyed a little bit of an edge or a risk. I don't fear being judged because I don't take judgments seriously.

&xplorHD has launched the 'UnviralOnlineShaming' campaign to coincide with the television premiere of the movie Sajini Shinde Ka Viral Video, on May 25th, 9pm. This campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers of online shaming and the detrimental effects that viral content can have on individuals.

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