MUMBAI: With every character she does and the films she chooses, Swara Bhasker makes a statement; and the actor says her biggest fear would be doing work which would embarrass her when she looks back.
Swara gained prominence by featuring in the “Tanu Weds Manu” franchise and “Raanjhanaa” before headlining critically-acclaimed films like “Nil Battey Sannata” and “Anaarkali of Aarah”.
The actor says she has been very principled regarding the films she wants to do even when the work was scarce and the struggle real.
In an interview with PTI, Swara says, “Even when I was struggling, in my early days, I’ve never done work which I didn’t want to do or done something just for the money. May be occasionally there was a judgement of error, a particular script which looked nice but didn’t turn out well.
“But as actors, when we die, we are only going to leave behind our body of work. I really don’t want to be embarrassed in my grave. I don’t want people to say ‘oh what has she done.’ I’m very careful about what I choose.”
The 30-year-old actor’s body of work comfortably aligns with her feminist beliefs. However, it becomes tricky when she features in “Veere Di Wedding” and her choice is questioned from a feminist lens.
“I think ‘Veere’ furthers the feminist cause in a very round about way, by showing four girls in all their flaws, doing their own thing. It’s giving space to women for making mistakes, mess up and figure out themselves,” Swara says.
The actor says, unlike “Veere”, her latest web series “It’s Not That Simple” season two delves into a female psyche.
“This is a very mature series. It delves into more details than perhaps a commercial film can. It talks about a single mother waiting to get divorced, having two affairs emotionally,” she adds.
Directed by Danish Aslam, the Voot original revolves around a modern day woman Meera (played by Swara) and addresses power play, gender roles and infidelity.
Swara says her character’s motivation and choices were so beyond her that she, even being a complete liberal, ended up judging her.
“I had lots of fights with the director. I was like ‘what is she upto, she’s such a mess’ and he used to say it’s ok, she’s struggling, why can’t a woman be confused and make mistakes. In doing this, despite me being this great progressive liberal, I am still judging this woman.
“I was judging my own character. Which is why I feel it was a very humbling experience. If a part you play makes you reassess some of your own thoughts, it means you’re leading as a person,” she adds.
The series, which started streaming on Voot recently, also features Sumeet Vyas and Purab Kohli. (AGENCIES)
***
SPO-SINDHU-COMMENTS
Hope no one will question me about my final losses anymore: Sindhu
GUANGZHOU, Dec 16:
India’s P V Sindhu Sunday hoped no one will ever question her ability to win big titles, relieved at breaking the finals jinx with a historic triumph at the World Tour Finals here.
After losing seven successive summit clashes, Olympic silver medallist Sindhu finally settled her finals blues with a 21-19 21-17 win over Japan’s Nozomi Okuhara to lift the prestigious season-ending trophy.
“I feel really happy. I have no words because it is my first win this year after coming and losing in the finals, so it was memorable. The year has ended on a beautiful note,” said Sindhu, who won silvers at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championships this year.
“Somewhere every time people have been asking me the same question. I hope the question won’t again come to me, asking why all the time coming to the finals I lose. I think I can say now that I won a gold and I am really very proud.”
Her mentor and chief India coach Pullela Gopichand also stressed on the importance of Sindhu crossing the final hurdle.
“There has been a lot of talk of her losing the finals and I think that at least, not for anybody else but for Sindhu’s mind, I think it is important she lost in the final with a comprehensive big win,” he said.
“People have been waiting for it and it is great to have this win at the end of the year.”
Talking about her title win, world number six Sindhu said: “The last to last year I lost in semifinal and last year I finished runners up. This time I am the winner, so it is a beautiful tournament for me as I won all matches in the league stages and also the semifinals and finals.
“I would definitely enjoy the moment as I am here. Next we have the Indian league (Premier badminton League), so I will go directly for that and I hope do well there so that would be all for the year.”
Sindhu, who had lost in the finals in the last edition, said she sometimes lost focus during the title clash.
“It was a good match. Overall there was a lot of rallies. Sometimes I was remembering about the last final but I tried to focus again on the match,” she said.
“Whenever I play against Okuhara or Yamaguchi I never think it would be easy. I know every time it would be tough. Today also the rallies were 30-40 strokes, but I gave my 100 percent and I won. Okuhara also played very well.”
Asked about her targets for next year, Sindhu said: “Next year it will be Olympic qualification year and we have to keep ourself fit and strategies which tournaments to play and we will have Malaysia and Indonesia coming up next year.”
Badminton Association of India President Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated Sindhu.
“It is a great year-ending for Indian badminton. Sindhu winning the Tours Final and defeating the best players in the world in the process indicates journey of Indian badminton in the right direction,” said Sarma.
“I congratulate the Sindhu on behalf of entire Badminton Association of India.” (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
