Hamare Baarah Interview: Annu Kapoor's reel wife Ankita on chosing a gutsy role early in career
Hamare Baarah Interview: Annu Kapoor's reel wife Ankita on chosing a gutsy role early in career
When Ankita Dwivedi stepped into the world of films after leaving journalism, she had no idea her debut film will create a stir in the nation. Starring as Rukhsaar, veteran actor Annu Kapoor’s wife in Hamare Baarah, a film that promises to talk about uncomfortable truths, Ankita had no idea she was treading in tricky waters.
Speaking exclusively to WION, Ankita who made a tough decision of starting afresh because of her love for the camera, opened up on straying from a cut out career plan and saying 'yes' to a controversial film that saw its fair share of hurdles before its release on June 7.
Here are the edited excerpts of the chat:
Q: Why did you leave journalism for acting?
A: It was a difficult decision for me. The thought of leaving behind the potential path of a journalist, with its avenues for storytelling and social impact, weighed heavily on my mind. What attracted me though to Mumbai was the allure of the acting world. I was sure about choosing a challenging role to begin with.
It was a leap of faith, guided by my unwavering passion for acting and the belief that it was the path meant for me. Though the decision was daunting, it was also exhilarating, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in my life.
Q: How did Hamare Baarah happen to you? How did you prepare for the role?
A: It happened organically. As for the preparation, I immersed myself in Urdu, a language central to the character's identity. To ensure authenticity, I dedicated significant time and effort to learning Urdu. For two months, I engaged in a rigorous routine of listening to various Urdu poets, watching YouTube vlogs, and actively conversing with native speakers. This allowed me to not only grasp the language's nuances but also to internalise its cadence and rhythm.
Some of the words and phrases I frequently used in the movie included "taleem”, “saqafat”, “haqeeqat”, “taqdeer”. These words not only added authenticity to my character's dialogue but also helped me convey the emotions and depth of the role convincingly.
Q: What was your initial reaction to the script of Hamare Baarah? Were there any particular scenes or dialogues that stood out to you as especially powerful or moving?
A: I was delighted after reading the script of Hamare Baarah. The character was intense and challenging along with such a gripping story narrative. My favourite scene is the court scene in the climax of the movie. It was an outstanding scene, and what stood out for me was that I had improvised most of it.
Watch Hamare Baarah teaser here:
Q: What impact do you hope Hamare Baarah will have on the audience, particularly regarding their views on women's rights and reproductive choices?
A: Hamare Baarah will definitely spark positive conversations around women’s rights and reproductive choices. I believe it has already started. The film will leave an impact on the audience and make them ponder the choices of ideologies we have been making since ages.
Hamare Baarah is currently playing in theatres. It released on June 7.