‘Veere Di Wedding is my first lead role in a commercial film’: Swara Bhasker

Even though she got her first breakthrough role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish (2010), it was Aanand L Rai’s Tanu Weds Manu the following year that shot Swara Bhasker into the spotlight. From then on, there has been no looking back for her. As she gears up for her next, Veere Di Wedding, we catch up with the feisty actress for a quick chat. Excerpts...

For someone who has done films like the Tanu Weds Manu series, Listen...Amaya, Nil Battey Sannata and Anaarkali Of Aarah, what novelty does Veere Di Wedding offer you as an actress?

It offers me an opportunity to play my first lead role in a commercial film. I’ve mostly been in supporting roles till date. It’s a fresh story, something not seen before in mainstream Bollywood. I play Sakshi, a fun, quirky and stylish woman, who took me outside my comfort zone. It was a winning combination for me. Till now, I’ve essayed more rooted and desi characters, different from how I’m in real life. Also, I’ve never been in a film where your look, clothes and style are so important. Producer Rhea Kapoor wanted me to be thin, and I told her that the only acting I was doing in this movie is losing weight and wearing fashionable clothes (laughs). Except for cosmetic surgery and liposuction, I did everything to knock off about five kilos and considerable inches.

You’ve worked with Sonam K Ahuja in Raanjhanaa and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. How was the experience of sharing screen space with Kareena Kapoor Khan?

I had never met Kareena before, so I couldn’t be on backslapping terms with her in our first meeting. But we became friendly. She’s a team player and great fun to be with. She has a positive vibe and I enjoyed working with her. I admire her work ethics. In about eight months after the birth of her baby, she was so disciplined about her workout, diet and fitness. Despite being so experienced, she respects the director and even though she expresses her viewpoint, she listens to the director and follows his instructions.

Tell us about your behind-the-scenes moments from the movie’s shoot.

We had a ball shooting for VDW. We’d be gossiping and having fun. Director Shashanka Ghosh was like our honorary girlfriend, we gave him that title. Kareena and Shashanka kept ribbing me — while she called me ‘Thinking actor’, Shashanka would call me ‘Method Ki Maa’. I was supposed to be on a diet and every time I cheated, Kareena would complain to Rhea. When I asked her why, she said that she has to tell the truth all the time. As for Sonam, we met on the sets of Raanjhanaa and formed our life-long friendship.

The dialogues of VDW have become a talking point among people.

It’s a fun film, with urban realistic dialogues. That’s how young people talk, it’s real to the characters we were essaying. Youngsters who are sitting with their friends over a round of drinks will curse.

What’s next?

I have three web series lined up, of which one is the second season of It’s Not That Simple. The web is an interesting space, it’s the future. It has interesting content, there’s no pressure of TRPs, censorship or box office. Otherwise, I’m being a little choosy. After Nil Battey Sannata, Anaarkali Of Aarah and VDW, I don’t want to disappoint my audience. It’s hard to earn respect and credibility, but easy to squander.

From the directors you’ve worked with, only Aanand L Rai has repeated you.

That’s because I’m his crisis call. When other actresses refuse the role, he calls me (laughs). Of course, everyone has the freedom to cast whoever they want.

You are known for speaking your mind, but your open letter to Sanjay Leela Bhansali came in for some flak.

The flak was expected because it came from a certain section. I don’t think I criticised Sanjay sir himself. I offered a critique of the film and in the way he glorified jauhar. He’s a skilled director, so there’s a danger when you make such a good film and it sends out a dangerous message. Also as a viewer, I have the right. I paid for the tickets and took 10 people to see the film. Most of the industry people were gracious. Those who didn’t agree with me saw my viewpoint. Sanjay sir understood that it was not a personal attack. I think that’s how it should be. If we, as artistes, are not free to say what we feel, then who is free to talk his/her mind. Having said that, I was amongst the few people who stood up for his film and crew when the whole Karni Sena controversy began.

Do you see VDW bringing you roles that you want?

I can only hope so. You cannot control the work that is offered to you; you can only control what you choose. I won’t spend time thinking what I should be offered now, but what should I do about the choices that I get.