EXCLUSIVE: I really look up to Rajkummar as an artist says Patralekhaa

Yes, now like when I look back, I did not think of doing anything else. My father wanted me to become a CA, which I did not. I started auditioning for ads and one thing led to the other.

Were you the studious type then?

I mean, I was not bad. I got 85 per cent.

From City Lights to IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, has anything changed the way you approach your characters now?

Of course, a lot has changed because you also grow as a human being. Life happens. You learn so much from life. There’s a stark difference. The girl that started at 24 years old and the woman that I am now, there is a stark difference. Acting is so personal, because you derive so much out of your personal life, your experiences, and your ups and your downs.

All are like me. It’s a trick question, but I feel like so much of me is in them and so much of them becomes a part of me once I am done shooting for those shows or films.

Are there any movies like that you regret rejecting?

No, I don’t regret my decisions. It felt right or wrong at that moment, but I am really happy for the makers that it worked for them.

Coming to IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, how did that happen for you?

I knew that Anubhav Sinha sir was writing the script and I pestered him for six months. He was not really sure. He told me there wasn’t much but I really wanted to work with him. Like I said when you asked me, working with a good director is non-negotiable. Anubhav sir is a master in his craft and it was in my bucket list to work with him. When you work with really good directors, they somehow bring out the best in you, like Hansal (Mehta) sir and Anubhav sir. I feel like that’s a non-negotiable, going back to your question. I kind of pestered him and I was really harrowing him to take me. Eventually, he wrote something for me.

Your character suffers a lot in the series…

Of course. Yeah. But that’s how you derive from your real life, right?

Did the intricacies of the character get to you?

Initially, no. Because it took some time for me to really understand the character. It usually takes me two to three days, no matter if I prepare or not. It has also got to do a lot with your co-actors, director, and the space that you are shooting in. It also depends on the costumes that you’re wearing. Initially, the intricacies did not matter.

Go on…

But we were shooting in a big plane parked in between the mountains of Jordan. I was really overwhelmed by the place. Also, when we went inside, it felt quite claustrophobic. I’m sure everybody must have taken a flight. There’s really close proximity. You can’t do too much movement there. We had 100 juniors, four to five cameras, along with the crew and the main cast. So, it did get to me.

No, I actually left that night for London. I was shooting something there. You know, it really got to me. I didn’t realise it till I reached there. I felt so tired. I felt so drained. It took me some time to unwind. But I had started shooting for another film. I think that helped me a bit. Imagine coming out of a plane that has been hijacked and getting into another plane. It was quite a flight, really.

The series had such stalwarts like Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra and more…

I didn’t shoot anything with them. But it was really encouraging to be on the same set with them. I only have gratitude. I didn’t realise that the show was going to reach such heights.

How was it working with Vijay Varma for the second time?

I have known Vijay for a really long time. I met him for the first time when we were auditioning for a movie. We did two to three scenes together but had a really good time. Vijay is a really good actor. I knew this boy was going to break in sooner or later.

Are you two good friends in real life?

We are good friends. But it’s not like we hang out every day. But every time I see a really good performance of his, I call him. I am cheering for him. Whenever we meet, I can feel a good bond.

What was Rajkummar Rao’s initial reaction when he saw you in full character?

When the reviews for the series started coming in, I could see he was happier than me. Raj has always been very supportive. He has always been my biggest cheerleader. He feels happier when I get a part. If I need to audition for something, he’s the one taking my audition. So, I know he’s always been cheering for me.

Do you prepare your scenes together if you have to prepare something at home?

Not really. We talk about our scenes but we don’t prepare. The moment you start prepping for a scene, it becomes so ingrained that you don’t do something new when you are on the set. But we do chat about it. If I feel I’m stuck somewhere or it’s an important scene, I do ask him. I really look up to him as an artist and as an actor. But no, we don’t rehearse. Honestly, I don’t believe in rehearsing. Yes, prepping, yes, but not rehearsing. So, do you believe in spontaneity as an actor? Yeah, at that moment.

That was Sabya sir’s (Sabyasachi Mukherjee) vision. He asked me about my preference. I told him I wanted something on my dad’s handwriting but he did not think that would be possible. I asked him about his vision. We jammed and exchanged our thoughts. We finally figured that this would be our text piece.

Are you looking forward to working with Rajkummar in the future?

I’m sure we will work together. But something really good has to come up.