I aspire to be versatile: Sara

In a recent interview, Sara Ali Khan talks about how instincts have ruled her decisions, the undying spirit that is essential to surviving in Bollywood and more.

Congratulations on Kedarnath. You have got some amazing reviews for your debut performance and we can tell you that the numbers are good too!

Thank you! I am relieved to hear that it is doing so well. I don't really understand numbers. But I am beginning to understand that more numbers means more people have gone on to see it and that increases the chances of people liking it.

Before you announced your debut, there was speculation for about a year on what you were going to do, who you were going to star with, which production house, etc. Did that put pressure on you?

I will be honest, I feel that when you are a newcomer, the only thing that matters is conviction. You need to have conviction in the script, you need to have conviction in your role and your character, and that is the most important thing. It is so important that the other external pressures get silenced because you are so focused on ensuring that you are convinced about what it is that you are doing.

Up until that happens for you, no pressure really matters. That is the only thing that you have with you. If you are not convinced, if you get pressurised and in that pressure you sign something that you do not believe in, you are not going to be able to deliver, ever. So, no, I didn't feel any pressure, as such.

Since you have said that you rely on instinct when it comes to choosing scripts, what were your instincts when you read both these polar opposite scripts?

When my writer Kanika (Dhillon) read Kedarnath to me, I knew that this was a film I had to do. I mean, the innocence with which she had written the characters, the novelty with which she had presented them, the world she put them in, it was overwhelming. With Simmba, it was actually a little different because I just wanted to work with Rohit (Shetty) Sir. In fact, I messaged him about this and he didn't reply. Then I messaged him again and he didn't reply the second time too. Still, I messaged him for a third time and I was like 'Sir, please just meet me.' I went to meet him and said that it would be an honour for me to work with you. I was talking to him in Hindi and I had gone to his office alone, which I think is something that really impressed him. I just went to meet him and I was like: 'Sir mujhe kaam de do'. And, he had that faith in me.

It is this stereotype that our films are thankfully breaking, bit by bit, that the actresses in these masala, commercial movies don't have a substantial part to play. What makes Simmba different?

I don't think it is ever about anyone taking a back seat or a front seat. I think we are all in the same car, going from one destination to another. You have to complement the film and the film has to complement you. People have asked me this, in fact, how does it feel to go from an author-backed role to a role which is not author-backed? But I don't think that is the point. You have to be convinced. Either you are convinced with the script or you are convinced with the director's vision. Whatever it is, you have to be happy.

Kedarnath is a slightly intense, rural film. Simmba, on the other hand, is a hardcore commercial film. What the girl has to do in both these films will be different. But the girl is still doing something. I cannot tell you what is easier or what is harder or what is more fun. Doing Ganga dupkis in negative degrees is challenging but then, at three in the morning, when you haven't been eating carbs, doing Seeti bajaye with Ranveer Singh is also challenging. It is not a cakewalk. I think every film set has its own vibe, has its own energy. I think one has chosen this job to aspire to be versatile. You have chosen this job because you want to do different things. I don't think you get more different than this.

People are expecting lots from you. What were your expectations from yourself before the debut and have they changed in any way?

I do not think about that. I just think that every day you have to wake up and go and do your best, and I feel that even more now. After Kedarnath released and I got decent reviews, the only thing that changed is that I feel like there is potential, for sure. And when you realise that about yourself, it is not pressure or expectations; it is almost like now you are sitting in your car and you need to start driving. I do not even think that chapter one is over. I feel like I have just been told that I know how to read. Now, I have this book and I must start soon. That is the only difference. 

Both your characters are rooted Indian girls. Many actors say that they need to connect with some of the characteristics of the parts they are playing to do so honestly. Is it the same with you?

Of course, I think there needs to be a level of connection in order to perform. But I think that, like you said, both the characters that I have played, neither of them is really me. So, more than me finding myself in those characters, you need to totally surrender to your director. I have had the opportunity to work with directors who have made that easy. I have also had the opportunity to work with co-actors who have made that almost natural.

Whether it is Sushant (Singh Rajput) or Ranveer, the vibe on the set is great. In fact, there have been moments and days where I have done double shifts. I had been shooting in Hyderabad with Ranveer and Rohit Sir and I had come back and shot with Gattu Sir and Sushant in Mumbai. People keep asking me how I did it. But I told them that it is not like Sara is on the set anyway. They are both different characters and both these characters are a product of my directors' vision, my directors' direction and the energy of my co-actors. Yes, one does look for personality traits or things that are in me so that I can resonate with the character better. But it is definitely more about what the director and the co-actor give you, at least for me because I am so new.

Have you been guided about the highs of successes and the lows of disappointments?

Yes, both my parents have because they are parents and they are from the industry. They have told me that a sense of balance is very important, and that there is a life outside films that I can go back to that when I need to. It is true that successes and failures are temporary. Everything changes from Friday to Friday. The way you are greeted changes. These are things I am aware of, these are things I realise. And I believe that it is okay because that is the job I am in.