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It’s important to be challenged: Kareena Kapoor Khan on playing cop in ‘Daayra’
New Delhi, Sep 16 (PTI) After a career of over 25 years, Kareena Kapoor Khan says she is constantly looking for challenging and interesting characters, which led her to take up the role of a police officer in Meghna Gulzar’s “Daayra”.
The 45-year-old actor, who was in the national capital to promote her new film, said she believes it is important to bring different shades to her characters at this stage of her career.
“I think as an actor, it’s very important to be challenged, especially after 25 years of work. I have done all kinds of films. It’s such a long career, so I will have to bring some shades into it,” Kareena told reporters.
The actor said she has consistently sought out varied roles because acting remains her primary interest.
“I think I’ve always wanted to try to do different characters. I love acting and don’t have any other interests like producing or directing. So acting is something that I enjoy, so I’m constantly looking for something interesting to do or an interesting kind of character,” she said.
Kareena found an interesting opportunity in “Daayra”, which is set in the aftermath of a crime that sparks widespread outrage and leads to a series of events.
As the search for answers deepens, two senior police officers, played by Kareena and Prithviraj Sukumaran, navigate the same system through different approaches to duty and justice, on opposing sides of a case that challenges the very idea of right and wrong.
Kareena said her character of DCP Ajooni is someone who does not conform to the stereotypical portrayal of a woman cop as a physically imposing, gun-toting action hero.
“I think there is this stereotypical version that we have of a cop that she is butch and she slightly has that particular walk, slightly manly, is gun toting and does action,” she said.
“I think in this film, because of the sensitivity of the subject of the film also, Meghna was clear that she wanted a woman cop, somebody who is like a woman, who is feminine, who puts lipstick but at the same time is quite stern, does everything with a smile and the way you saw her character of Ajooni who walks the road,” the actor added.
Kareena said the morally complex nature of “Daayra” also made Ajooni challenging to portray.
“So it was difficult for me also to stay on track with Ajooni because there is always going to be a conflict. I’m sure as a director, Meghna felt that while writing it. I’m sure Prithviraj also felt it with Raman’s character. So it is very difficult. But as a person, I walk the straight line. I like to believe that life, it’s black and white. But in the film, it is grey,” she said.
Kareena said she had approached Gulzar before the filmmaker offered her “Daayra”, expressing her desire to work with her after following her critically-acclaimed films like “Talvar”, “Raazi” and “Sam”.
“I feel there are very few directors who bring the story to the screen in an impactful way. And I have been a big fan of Meghna…
“In our industry, there are very few directors who bring out performances from their actors. And Meghna is one of them. So I was also greedy to work with her… And I think this character will always be remembered in my filmography.” The actor also expressed interest in working in a Malayalam film while praising co-star Prithviraj.
“I think it will be a pleasure and an honour if I can do a Malayalam film because I have always had deep respect for so many of their actors like Mohanlal sir and of course, now I have got this opportunity to work with Prithviraj. I have always liked his work. I think he is an outstanding actor,” she said.
Produced by Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios, “Daayra” will be released in cinemas on September 18. PTI RB BK RB RB
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.