Chitrangada takes on sexual harassment

You start off as an intern in the movie. How did you prepare for the role?

Thankfully, Sudhir [Mishra] had done an in-depth research on sexual harassment in the workplace to make the script look real. While it’s easy to prove rape, it’s definitely not so easy to prove harassment or eve-teasing. I have heard about several incidents from people around me — journalists, air-hostesses, etc, who have been sexually harassed by their bosses, colleagues and workers.

Sudhir Mishra has directed you in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi and now in Inkaar. Did you have any creative differences while working together?

We shared our opinions. If after reading the script, Arjun [Rampal] or I thought of something that might make the script look better, we shared it with Sudhir. There’s a comfort zone. Sudhir is very professional and if he doesn’t get the right shot, he gets angry. In fact, he makes you shoot until he gets it right! After Hazaaron, I understand him better.

While you were modelling, did you witness any kind of sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is prevalent everywhere — right from the BPOs to the media. Thankfully, the film industry is safer because it’s a place where you are not compelled to work with one particular person for life. Bollywood is not a nine-to-five job where people have to stick to their routines or a particular company and have lesser options; it’s a place where people come and go. If you don’t like a person, you can opt out of his or her project and start working with someone else. We have that kind of freedom in Bollywood.

While shooting, did you get carried away with the character or feel the pain?

Yes, I did. I was totally in character at one point of time and the next moment Sudhir called out ‘cut’. This also happened while we were rehearsing the script.

What was working with Arjun Rampal like?

Arjun is a great actor. He made me feel extremely comfortable and that energy translates on screen. He is a thorough professional. This is Arjun’s best work that I have seen. We were very comfortable while shooting and I guess every actor needs be in a comfort zone to deliver the best.

What would you like to change about yourself for the betterment of your career?

I am too emotional and I don’t plan things; so I might as well change that and be a good planner and execute my plans well.

Where do you see yourself after Inkaar?

I see myself promoting my next film, I, Me Aur Main, which releases on March 1. After Inkaar, I may do something I have never done before — a little more edgy than Inkaar and experiment with my role.

Do you think your role in Desi Boyz played a part in shaping your career?

Well, it definitely reached a wider audience in India and across the world, especially having Akshay [Kumar] and John [Abraham] in the film. For me, it was a good experience to see what it might be like to work in an extremely commercial set-up. In fact, I had a great time and, if now after Desi Boyz, people look at me differently or if it makes me a promising or bankable actor, that’s a tremendous achievement!.