'Good things come to those who wait'

Actor Aahana Kumra, who began her career in the film industry with ‘Yudh,’ a 20-episode mini television series, where she essayed the role of Amitabh Bachchan’s daughter, has come a long way. She has been extremely selective when it comes to the kind of work she wants to be known for. Her latest release, ‘The Blueberry Hunt’ is proof that true talent can take one places. Aahana tells Nina C George why she prefers to take it one step at a time.

What interested you the most about ‘The Blueberry Hunt’?  
It’s always exciting to do a thriller as the first film. ‘The Blueberry Hunt’ had a lot of scope for me to perform and as an artist, that’s most tempting! It gave me a chance to work with my mentor — Naseeruddin Shah, which was both a humbling and an enriching experience.

What is your role in the film?
I play the role of Jaya, a medical student, held in captivity by a Colonel, who is the owner of the estate. She’s a helpless victim of situations which has nothing to do with her life or that of the Colonel’s. The movie focuses on how the relationship between Colonel and Jaya builds over a period of three days.

What was it like working with Naseeruddin Shah?
This is the first time, I am working with my mentor and teacher Naseeruddin Shah, after I graduated from film school and it was exactly like going back to class. It was interesting to watch him apply in practice, the exercises that he had taught us in class. He transformed himself on the set and slipped into the character well before the cameras started rolling. He expected me to do the same and that was a great transformation for me as an actor.

You seem to enjoy working on offbeat subjects?
I like choosing projects with offbeat subjects because it gives me a lot of scope to perform various roles and it makes the experience more challenging and rewarding. While, I always research and plan my character, I sometimes like to leave some room for development while on set and shaping my character.

What was your experience of working with Amitabh Bachchan?
‘Yudh’ was a unique project. I had never imagined in my wildest dreams, that I would have the opportunity to work with Amitabh Bachchan right at the beginning of my career. Amitabh Bachchan spent a lot of time reading the lines with me. He was keenly interested in helping me excel in the finer details, which of course, comes to him naturally. He also encouraged me at various times by appreciating me at the end of a good scene and giving me pointers to improve my performance.

The biggest lesson you have learnt from working the film industry?
The biggest lesson, I have learned in the industry is patience. Good things come to those who wait.

What is your next project?
I am in an exciting period of my career where I am auditioning and meeting various people and evaluating various roles! While, I continue with my work in theatre with plays such as Makrand Deshpande’s ‘Sir Sir Sarla’, and Naseeruddin Shah’s ‘Gadha Aur Gaddha’, my next project is yet to be decided.