They say that good beginnings are hard. They also say well begun is half done. If the two sayings from the days of yonder are any yardstick, Nimrat Kaur, only a film old, may find herself in the hallowed corridors of cinema for a long duration. As it adds a BAFTA nomination to its already attractive cabinet of accolade, The Lunchbox , her first film, is ready for it’s world television premiere. Boasting a rather stellar cast which included the likes of Irrfan Khan and Nawazuddin Siddique , it is, however, Nimrat’s performance as a lonely housewife that had critics finding considerably generous words to heap praise on the SRCC graduate in her very first film.
In an interview here, Nimrat gives us an insight into her affections for the film and also her progression into the world of American television with the gritty Homeland that counts President Barack Obama amongst one of it’s admirers. Excerpts:
The Lunchbox has generated so much goodwill for Indian cinema across the globe. How has the experience been for you?
It has taken my life by storm. I can literally slice my life into before and after the film, professionally. It’s been really incredible and even after two years of the film premiering at Cannes, it continues to bring glory and love from everywhere. Now, the idea that the film is premiering on Indian television, is fantastic because many people who have not been able to watch the film but really want to, this is that one wonderful way to be able to.
“The Lunchbox” had garnered tremendous acclaim in the festival circuit, with many even touting it as our best bet for the Oscars. Yet it wasn't India's official entry to the Academy Awards. As some one who lent a lot of artistic value to the project, what was your reaction to it?
On the day the news broke, it was disappointing no doubt. But having said that, the film released the next day in India and it was my first film. So for me, to be a part of that film and the kind of overwhelming reaction that it generated from India and from everywhere, it was just so amazing and the nomination really didn’t matter. It was a setback at that time but now it is a thing of the past.
Your move to American television has garnered significant attention. Being a part of an acclaimed show like “Homeland” which features such an impressive array of actors, how does that feel?
Yeah, it is so inspiring. Claire Danes (the show’s Emmy and Golden Globe winning protagonist), has a small baby and yet she would manage everything and play a role not so easy to do, to perfection. Even Mandy Patinkin is full of life and enthusiasm and energy, doing scenes take after take in spite of the work that went into it. I have learnt a lot being around them.
It is very early in your career and yet you have made some unconventional choices. Is it intentional or do you consider you are lucky? I find that a little intimidating to hear, to be honest. I’ve clearly been extremely fortunate by being at the right place at the right time some where by the virtue of putting myself out there with my work. I think it is because of what a success The Lunchbox has been. I think my being a part of Homeland has a lot to do with the international success of the film. I am aware of that. I don’t think it is entirely ever an actor’s choice to be in a film or a show. I don’t think it is actually that way, especially when you’re starting out. So I’ve just tried to do my best with the opportunities that have come to me. I can only hope that it continues to be so. I also want to be able to go out of my comfort zone and try things that I think won’t be easy to pull off. I am still very early in my career, I am just one film old. It definitely defines where I am right now but it doesn’t define what I am all about.
Talk to us about your upcoming projects.
My next film is Airlift (opposite Akshay Kumar, being helmed by director Raja Menon). It is vastly different, worlds apart from what I did in The Lunchbox. We will start filming it at the end of February and I am really looking forward to it. I am constantly reading scripts but I haven’t signed or finalized anything yet apart from Airlift.
(“The Lunchbox” has its worlwide television premiere on the February 14, 8.p.m. on &Pictures)
