The actor-filmmaker on why she doesn’t direct more films, why she prefers to make small-scale films, and handling the chaos of a film set
Edited excerpts:
You’re an exquisite director. Why don’t you make more films? You said somewhere that you’re not a career director but a career actor. Why can’t you be both, like Jodie Foster?
I feel like an actor primarily, by and large. It’s because I’ve also been doing it for so long. What I mean by a ‘career director’ is, it’s not that I have to have a next directorial project lined up. It’s because usually, luckily, and, hopefully, I have some decent acting projects as well. So I don’t actually want to direct unless I have something specific that I want to say. This might change, but this is how I feel right now. At least till now, I have also been writing and directing. If I’m excited by a feeling or a thought, something I want to communicate and feel is worthwhile, only then I would do it. And I want to do it small only because as soon as you do something big, everybody is telling you what to do. Â
You don’t want to make the next KGF?
I don’t think so, and I won’t be able to. I don’t plan that far ahead. Because I’m getting some interesting roles, which is great. There are times when I write the first draft of a script and I lose interest in going forward with it. You are free to abandon it whereas, if you’re working on commission, you worry about making something you’re unsure of. It’s a waste of time, effort, and money for everybody involved. Even with acting, there are times when you have to work with actors or directors you’re not comfortable with. I find it so important to be neutral. A film set is often a very chaotic environment with so many people on disparate elements. I’ve been very lucky to have been on film sets as a kid because you become very comfortable with the medium. And to maintain your equanimity and focus in the middle of this chaos is a great life skill.
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