Kriti Kharbanda Interview: I cannot do anything about the result of a film!

Actress Kriti Kharbanda, who was last seen in Guest Iin London opposite Kartik Aryan, plays the lead in Ratna Sinha's directorial Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana. Also starring Rajkummar Rao, the film is about love, betrayal and revenge. This year has been quite good for Hindi films which were based in Uttar Pradesh and Kharbanda's film is also set against the same backdrop. So, it will be interesting to see how her film fares at the ticket window. Before the release of the film, BollywoodMDB correspondent Mohnish Singh sits down with the actress for a candid conversation.

Q. How excited are you for your film Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana?

A. I am very excited about the movie and can't control my excitement. I love the two main characters in the film - Arti and Sattu. So, yeah, I am very excited.

Q. Bareilly Ki Barfi and Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana both have one thing in common. The lead actress is named Kriti. Bitti from Bareilly Ki Barfi or your character Aarti only pretends to love Rajkummar Rao’s character in the two films.

A. Wow, I never thought along those lines. Maybe you should ask Rajkummar why he runs after a Kriti. He should have learnt from his first experience.

I’m really excited about this film. I was asking the director why we couldn’t release the movie now as opposed to the 10th. I have zero regrets what Aarti does to Satyendra.

Q. You played the principal character in Raaz: Reboot. But here the talk is all about Rajkummar Rao, who comes into this film on the back of a few hits. What are your expectations from the film?

A. I’m hoping people watch me too. People only like to watch Rajkummar Rao in his films. I have even told him, “brother, who will watch me?” Truth is, I feel very good about it. Rajkummar is a true inspiration for a lot of people who come from the outside because he made a mark for himself. More importantly, he has made it on the basis of his acting talent alone. As a person, I feel like if we concentrate a little more on our craft, then we can be two steps ahead.

Q. You are playing a girl from Uttar Pradesh for the first time. The people there have a different style of speaking. How tough was it for you to get into the skin of your character?

A. Honestly, we speak in Hindi at home. My father does not speak English. I’m so grateful for that, for, growing up in Bangalore, my Hindi improved only because of him. He made sure we all spoke in Hindi. For me, language was never an issue. When I auditioned for the role, Ratna Sinha told me she needs someone who has a command over the Hindi language. As for adapting to the UP lingo, that came easily for that is what I have been doing in the South. Most of the crew was from Lucknow. They largely use gentle words like ‘aap, hum’. I had done my preparations, too.

Q. You have enjoyed success down South, but, unfortunately, your first few films in Hindi, Raaz: Reboot and Guest Iin London, did not work. Does that worry you?

A. I’m here now. The failures didn’t stop me from acting. As long as a film fetches me more work, I’m very happy. It sounds very selfish, but that’s the truth. Every actor works like that. The idea is to get your next film, to get a canvas to portray your skills. The failures did depress me a bit, but I think I have it in me to get up and move on. Nothing brings me down.

Q. Though your earlier Hindi films did not do well at the box-office, you received a positive response as an artist. A film fails, but you get appreciation. How do you look at it?

A. I always look at it as the glass being half-full. Yes, I would not deny that had those films succeeded, I would have been happier, but what I won’t be able to tolerate is that a film is a hit but I’m not appreciated. I cannot do anything about the result of a film, but what I can do is make sure that I give my 100%. I think I gave that to my earlier films.

Q. What’s next on the platter after Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana?

A. I’ll take a couple of days to chill out with Ratna Sinha and then, on 13 November, I start shooting for Yamla Pagla Deewana 3. I will be simultaneously shooting for Veere Di Wedding. And of course, I will be doing whatever Ratna Sinha does next.

Q. So, are you dating each other?

A. It’s so easy to date her! She gives me my space, loves me unconditionally. Our habits are very similar. We bitch about the same people. This is a relationship made in heaven.