She can be rightfully called the next queen of unconventional, unique and out-of-the-box films. She is none other than Nushrratt Bharuccha. After the success of her OTT film, Chhorii, the actress is all set to tell a compelling story of a female condom seller in the upcoming film, Janhit Mein Jaari. The film is directed by Jai Basantu Singh and produced by Vinod Bhanushali, Kamlesh Bhanushali, Vishal Gurnani, Raaj Shaandilyaa, Vimal Lahoti, Shradha Chandavarkar, Bunty Raghav, Rajesh Raghav & Mukesh Gupta.

Ahead of Janhit Mein Jaari's release, Nushrratt spoke to PeepingMoon exclusively about breaking stereotypes, making it big in the vast and competitive film industry, her tryst with success and failure, and the title of 'female Ayushmann Khurrana'. She further opened up about her struggle in the film industry which started after the box office failure of Akaash Vani.

Excerpts from the interview: 

Why Janhit Mein Jaari?

Why not Janhit Mein Jaari? Actresses get rare chances to lead a film. I am blessed to get films like Ajeeb Daastaans, Chhorii, Janhit Mein Jaari and my next two films as they revolve around the female protagonist and her story. As long as people are wanting to consume such content, I am happy doing them. When will you get such opportunities otherwise? Generally, women are seen dancing, singing, and acting in just a few scenes and that's it. Yes, commercial films are my first love and would love to be a part of films like Judwaa, and Bade Miya Chote Miya, but now, stories and narratives have changed. Writers are working on stories orbiting around women. Forget as an actor, I love watching interesting stories like Badla and Kahaani. They were so interesting. As female actors, if we don’t do such films, writers will stop writing such stuff.      

 

 

 

 

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At the trailer launch, a question was asked to you about being the female Ayushmann Khurrana. Do you feel such comparisons are unfair to two different actors? 

Any comparison to any actor is unfair. For me, to be compared to Ayushmann is like a blessing. I am excited about that and I take it as a compliment. If you look at his trajectory, his choice of films made him what he is today. I am more proud of the person and actor he has become because of his journey. Even though it is unfair on a professional level, personally, I take it as a compliment.  

Janhit Mein Jaari deals with an unusual concept and is led by a female. In the past, there have been trolls who questioned you for signing this film. But had there been a male actor, the scenario would have been different/ With this film, do you wish to change this scenario?

More than changing the scenario, it is why the girl should be the one selling condoms. You have answered this in your question only. If it is a man, it is okay. When a woman does it, it is not right. That's what we wanted to point out. That’s why the female protagonist in the story works. It was very easy for Raaj Shandilyaa to cast a male actor. He, as a filmmaker and writer, wanted to do something different.

You can easily be called a risk-taker for doing films like Chhorii, Dream Girl & now Janhit Mein Jaari. What motivates you to take a leap of faith?  

The fact that I have had my share of failures. Yes, I have had hits too and that’s when I realised nothing is in your hands. I could do a Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge now, but it would have not worked. Just the comfort that after a point, there is nothing in my hand gives me the confidence to sign a film based on my gut. I am absolutely okay if someone doesn’t like my film. I am not bothered now. For me, films are bigger than just their box office collections. 

You just mentioned your ‘share of failures’. What were those failures like? 

Failures were of catastrophic nature. There was a time I thought my career is over. Since I haven't studied any other profession, mujhe nahi pata tha main kya karungi. I had no work experience and no Master's degree. CV mein kya likhti, BMM pass out, bas itna? Uske aage kya? This all happened when Akaash Vani flopped as Love Sex Aur Dhokha and Pyaar Ka Punchnama were hits. When you face failure for the first time, it takes time to recover. That's when I thought, if I manage to get quality work at 60 like Neena Gupta, there is nothing like it. When you accept that high end cars nahi toh mummy ki Honda City chalati hu, 3BHK nahi toh 1BHK mein kaam ho jayega, most of your decisions become clear. That's when I decided to not get married, not to settle down and depend on my husband, his security or him taking care of me. I wanted to do it on my own. 

You started your career with TV and made a transition to films. Was it smooth enough?

I was lucky enough. I know of actors in the television industry, who obviously aspire to be in films, and are such good actors but they sometimes fail to see the light of the day. I didn't even put in so much effort in the beginning. I got my first film very easily. A different actor was cast for Love Sex Aur Dhokha but she backed out and I landed a role in it. Similarly, I never wanted to do Pyaar Ka Punchnama but it happened by chance. I don’t think I really tried hard to make a transition from TV to films. Even TV happened by chance, I didn't even give a look test. My actual struggle started after my hits. My struggle was all about getting my second film, third film and onwards. 

Struggle of what nature?

So, I didn’t go to any acting school. I felt I couldn't improve my craft without having knowledge. I would audition for everything. I would start at 9 am in the morning, do the rounds of all auditions happening in the city, finish my gym session and return home by 6 pm in the evening. At times, when I went to audition for lead roles, they would not even take my look test. I still have those letters of rejection. For me, the struggle has been at various levels. Hit ke baad ka struggle, flop ke baad ka struggle, ghar se ek aur film karna ka pressure because being an actor wasn’t something that they accepted. Unko laga hobby hai, ek film karne ke baad chod degi. Every month, there would be some family member coming to convince me ki kuch aur karle.

Your previous film Chhorii took the OTT route. Did you fear Janhit Mein Jaari will also take the digital route?

Not at all. I had no fear. When Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety was releasing, I had gone to an OTT platform’s award function to hand over awards to the winners. I had said that the platform is a boon. It is a new avenue for writers, directors, actors etc to showcase what they couldn’t do before. Making a film requires different resources and backing which not a lot of them can afford. It doesn’t mean anybody’s talent is less. I support both films and OTT as I see them as stand-alone entities with their own pros and cons. 

In a few months, Rakul Preet Singh’s Chhatriwali will release. Do you feel comparisons will be made? 

The best part is that Rakul Preet Singh and I never had this conversation. She has not asked me, I have not asked her. You see, actresses are nice to each other. I never had the thought of asking her kya hai teri picture, tu kya kar rahi hai usmein and either has she. The world will compare because we have made it for them but as actors, if we start comparing each other’s work, where is the growth yaar? Whenever Chhatriwali comes, I hope it does absolutely well and good luck to the entire team.  

Is Janhit Mein Jaari a franchise?

Yes, it is a franchise. Voh kab banegi mujhe nahi pata, you can ask Raaj about this.