Sara Ali Khan loves to talk nineteen to two thousands. She’ll speak and speak and then realise she has meandered far and away from your intended question. She loves to tell stories, regaling you with anecdotes from her various journeys. She’s a foodie who doesn’t mind gorging on a plate of hot parathas from a dhaba off the highway, something her more snobbish colleagues would look down on. She loves to wear Indian clothes, making a style statement out of a simple salwar suit. She’s a natural in front of the camera and loves to throw herself in her role. She doesn’t hesitate displaying raw, edgy emotions on screen and says what comes to her mind off screen. She’s truly her mother’s daughter in that regard. Presenting excerpts from a talkathon with the bubbly actor.
What attracted you to Gaslight, a suspense thriller?
As an actor, I love new challenges. On the first day of my promotion of Gaslight, many journalists said, “We didn’t expect you to be like this”; that’s a victory in itself. You know Sara by now. You know what she likes; you know her jokes; you know what foods she likes; you know this and that. But in a film, as a character, I never want you to be able to predict her. I want to be able to do everything. I have a lot of energy. I am a bubbly girl. I am a high-spirited girl. So agar aap mujhe aisa kirdar doge, who is in a wheelchair, who can’t move her lower body, it will be so exciting and challenging for me.
How did you prepare for such a role?
Director Pawan Kriplani, along with an acting coach, guided me for the role. I also had to figure out how to use the wheelchair. The audience needs to feel like I’m genuinely dependent on a wheelchair. It was important to get that right and I think I succeeded.
Have you ever been gaslighted in a relationship?
Gaslighting is a strong word and after doing the film, I got to know the word even more. Something happens in every kind of relationship from time to time. So many times it happens that you are made to believe that you are to be blamed for something, even when you haven’t done anything. What I loved about Meesha’s character is that, in a world where she can’t trust anyone, she’s the kind of person you can count on. She stays true to who she is. She stays strong in her determination. And she does not allow any of this to affect her.
Did the film affect you mentally?
I completely surrendered to my director, Pawan sir. And I worked with helpful co-actors. I was working with an acting teacher called Ritesh, who helped us with breathing techniques because a film of this genre is exhausting. What is acting? Acting is reacting. When you have to imagine that suddenly there is a scream or that suddenly a bat flew over your head and you don’t actually have a physical thing to react to, then breathing becomes important. Other than that, I think Pawan sir created a nice atmosphere on the sets. We were isolated in a remote location for 40 days. Pawan sir used to play great music on the sets, which helped me understand my character and her world.
What is something women need to be aware of in a toxic relationship?
In any relationship, it’s important to listen to your inner voice. Learn to trust your instincts and don’t ever silence your inner voice.
From Kedarnath to Gaslight, do you find yourself evolving as an actor?
That’s something for the audience to perceive and comment. I’m definitely enjoying myself. Every film is a different learning experience, especially after Love Aaj Kal and Coolie, where I didn’t do good work. I realised the need for letting go of that, not holding on too tightly but also not being afraid to take on challenges. And when I was given the opportunity to do a film like Atrangi Re, which people enjoyed, I became hungry to do more. I became hungry to perform as much as I can. You learn from your mistakes. You learn to forgive yourself for those mistakes. But more than that you have to be excited to keep growing. That’s what I believe to be the most important thing.
When you look back on your career, what are the lessons you learnt along the way?
When your film doesn’t do well, you feel disappointed. Everything will hit your heart but the idea is to get up and move regardless of what has happened. I think it’s okay to be vulnerable but one should also keep going. Life isn’t a bed of roses always. How you push yourself in times of adversity counts the most. It’s easy to be happy when the going is good but it isn’t easy to smile while facing hardships. You’re bound to fail, you’re bound to fall but how you bounce back is important.
What do you consider as your biggest strength as an actor?
I am honest as a person and as an actor. In every moment that I am emoting, I try to be honest on camera. I’m not a method actor or a trained actor. Relying on genuine honesty is something that
I have tried to do in most of my films. And the viewers have related to it.
People love your Instagram posts...
I really think that if you do something with a desire to win someone’s heart, you may or may not be successful but if you just stay honest, you will always be happy. Your honesty might or might not win admirers but being true to your beliefs will help you sleep better for sure. I’m always forthright in my posts and maybe people like me for that. It’s easy to put up a false front on social media but my fans know whatever I post is hundred percent genuine.
Director Aanand L. Rai once said that there is more to Sara than what you see on Instagram.
He must have said this because he knows how jovial and chirpy I can be. I like to joke, I like to laugh but there’s more to me than just that. I’m not just a high on life, bubbly girl. I am also an intelligent girl with a heart, mind and soul, as well as ambition. If you get lost in the jokes and humour, you might mistakenly think that I am not the serious girl with depth. But I am.
Your fans admire the fact that you love wearing ethnic clothes. Your sartorial choices have inspired a trend.
Main ek desi ladki hoon (I’m an Indian girl). My mother tongue is Hindi. If in any way I’ve helped bring the trend of Indian clothing back, I am proud of that. We are Indians and we look most beautiful in Indian clothes. I wear them with lots of pride. Mujhe koi farq nahin padta hai, ki suit pehnne se mujhe koi behenji bulaye ya bhai saab. (I don’t care if someone calls me names for my wardrobe choices.). I don’t get affected by that.
How would you describe the real Sara in one line?
I’m a soft person at heart and I have a loud mouth. I think that is the true depiction of Sara.
Did you watch your grandmother’s film, Gulmohar, which was recently released on OTT?
Yes, I saw the film. I think she is a timeless actress. She is a beautiful performer and an absolute delight to watch. I just wish she would do more and more work. I’m not sure if I’m as graceful as she is. I want to have that grace and radiance that she has both as a performer and as an actor. She’s so well-read, interested in current events and has a great sense of general knowledge.
What are the pluses and minuses of belonging to a film family?
The minus is that there are a lot of people there wanting to indulge in a nepotism debate. There are a lot of people who want to drag you down. And the advantage is that you have parents who have come from this world. They know the film world inside out and can point out the pitfalls, guide you properly in every aspect. And I learned early in my career that you are as successful as your last release. Don’t look to make friends or enemies here because nothing is permanent. Being an actor is just a part of my life. There are more important things in my life. Travelling is important to me. Having friends is important to me. Introspection is important. We all should learn to take some time off our hectic lives for introspection, as it helps sort you out from within.
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