Kiara Advani Exclusive Interview: “Whenever I’m In Love, I’ll Acknowledge It”

Kiara Advani, who debuted in Hindi films in 2014, has not been a part of many movies, but thanks to the thunderous success of MS. Dhoni: The Untold Story and Netflix Original, Lust Stories, she is a household name across the country. The talented actress presently has some high-profile projects in her hands, which may pave the way for a meteoric rise for her in the firmament of Bollywood.

Kiara Advani is currently promoting her upcoming film, Kabir Singh. Starring Shahid Kapoor in the title role, the movie is an official remake of cult Telugu film, Arjun Reddy, which starred Vijay Deverakonda and Shalini Pandey in lead roles. The original film was a huge box-office hit and the same expectations are riding on its remake, Kabir Singh, as well.

In her interview with STARBIZ correspondent Mohnish Singh, beautiful Kiara Advani opens up about her character in Kabir Singh, her working experience with co-star Shahid Kapoor and why she would never hide if she is in love with someone. The remarkably grounded actress also talks about the possibility of falling in love with someone as toxic as Kabir Singh.

2019 is going to be a lucky year for you as four of your films are at various stages of development. How excited are you?

I am really excited that such great opportunities are coming my way. In 2019, I have two releases: Kabir Singh and Good News. Good News will be releasing in December. It’s an exciting phase of my career. I am quite busy with my work, which feels very good that I am working back-to-back.

At times, my mother calls up my manager and asks, “Does she have any free dates? We are planning a holiday. Then my manager will inform her, “Ma’am, actually, no dates are available.” That, in a way, is a good feeling. I keep laughing. I ask her, “Mom, you are calling my manager for dates when I am at home.”

Of course, I spend as much time as possible with my parents. They also understand that it’s an exciting time for me. They are supportive of that. I am just lucky that I am getting to work on such interesting scripts and films.

Shahid Kapoor says that it’s your character who anchors the entire film. What do you have to say about that?

He is putting a lot of pressure on me (laughs). I play a character that is so nuanced. Kabir Singh is the one who is more vocal and expressive. He has got these layers whereas Preeti is simple and demure. She is very reticent. If anyone can calm Kabir down, it’s Preeti.

Do you relate to your character in the film?

Preeti is completely opposite to Kiara Advani. As you can see, I talk very animatedly. I share a very good bond with my parents and I can tell my mother anything and everything. But Preeti comes from an orthodox background. She opens her mouth only when somebody is talking to her. She is not somebody who reacts much. On the other hand, Kabir is very reactive and responsive. She is more sensitive. Even her body language is very restrained if you see.

So internalizing those traits of her personality and keep everything very subtle was actually very challenging. Sometimes, when you have a lot of dialogues to mouth, it’s easy because you will have to just say them. But when you have to say something without any dialogues and all by your eyes, then it’s difficult.

How did you prepare for your role?

There was nothing much to prepare as such. I just sat with my director and Shahid. We did a lot of readings and got into the mind of the character. I actually had to forget and leave Kiara’s mind and get into Preeti’s mind and believe that this is normal; this is my world. I could not have Kiara’s thoughts in Preeti’s thoughts. Kiara Advani thinks differently. Preeti thinks differently. So that was something that I had to sync into.

Was it difficult to get out of your character after the shoot was over?

I think for a month, we shot in Delhi. Because I had gotten so into Preeti’s character that coming out of it was quite tough. There was so much of Preeti in me. I was like, “How do I disconnect now?” But then you are an actor and that’s your job and you have to do that.

Even in Arjun Reddy (2017), the female lead is called Preeti.

Yeah, because Preeti is a universal name. It does not sound like it belongs to one particular region.

What if you fall in love with someone like Kabir Singh in real-life?

I think we all want somebody who loves us more than anything else in the world. If he turns out to be as aggressive as Kabir Singh, then I think his anger can be addressed. Having said that, self-destruction is something which is a complete no. I would hope and pray that nobody ever does anything to harm themselves. Love selflessly, but don’t isolate you because everybody goes through heartbreaks.

We all have suffered heartbreaks at some point in time or the other. So everybody has a Kabir Singh phase in their lives. But don’t isolate yourself in that situation. Talk it out, need a support system at that time, be busy and cry it out. Talk it about to your best friends and family.

But will you accept somebody like Kabir Singh?

Well, it depends on how much somebody loves you. If he is not toxic, then definitely I would accept him. I would not judge someone on their personality if it is not toxic.

When do you feel angry?

I get angry when I do not get food on time. The moment I munch on one or two bites, my anger disappears somewhere. Whenever I am angry, my father will tell my mom to give me some food as soon as possible.

How do you deal with your link-up rumours?

I ignore them. I don’t think it’s something I need to pay my attention to. I am the kind of a person that whenever I am in love, I will acknowledge it. If you are not hearing it from me, then it’s absolutely false and a rumour.

I am somebody who totally believes in the institution of love and marriage. And I am a very loyal person when I am in love. So, if I am in a relationship, I would accept it and would be open about it. I would not hide it for sure. So, if you have not heard it from me, it’s a complete rumour. It’s absolute rubbish.

How was it to work with Shahid Kapoor?

He was like a child on set. He does not come with the baggage of a star. He does not bring all of that to set. He is versatile. He is as vulnerable as any actor. After the shot is over, he will ask you, “How was it? Was it good?” He is someone very easy to work with. So I never felt that I was working with Shahid Kapoor, the star. I just felt like I was acting with Kabir Singh.

You were the first choice for the character of Preeti in the film. But the makers also tested other actors also. Eventually, the role came to you? What was the entire episode?

I think only Sandeep sir can answer it. The casting is something which the makers do. But I think playing Preeti was in my destiny and it came to me as I was meant to do this film. When I asked Sandeep sir that why he wanted only me for the character, he said, “I see you as Preeti.” So I think that confidence in him gave me the confidence to play this role.

What’s the update on the next schedule of Laxmmi Bomb?

We have finished the first shooting schedule of Laxmmi Bomb. It happened in Mumbai. Now we will be commencing the next schedule in the month of August.

What is it working with superstar Akshay Kumar in Laxmmi Bomb?

Akshay sir launched me in this industry. My first film Fugly, which hit the screen in 2014, was produced by him. Today, I am doing two films with him: Good News and Laxmmi Bomb. For me, my life has come a full circle. It’s a learning experience and a lot of fun.

You are coming up with some exciting projects. Does that mount any pressure on you?

I think, ahead of the release of any film, you do feel some amount of pressure, anxiety and excitement. All these emotions blend together. But more than the destination, I am just enjoying the journey because you never know what is going to happen on Friday. The experience that I am gaining while being a part of this journey is more than where the destination is going to lead me. That’s why my focus is on living each moment to the fullest.

What do you think was the turning point in your career?

I think Lust Stories (2018) was the turning point in my career because that role offered me the right opportunity to show my performance. A lot of people felt that this girl could act. So I think you need opportunities to showcase your talent. M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) also made me a little bit of a household name.

I was very lucky that Karan (Johar) sir gave me that opportunity. He saw it in me before anybody else saw it in me. He gave an outsider a chance. So that itself was a turning point in my life. It’s an exciting time for me because today I finally have the kind of films that I have been longing to do.