Kriti Kharbanda steps into the world of Rana Naidu Season 2. A chat with the actor who has stepped out of her comfort zone for the Netflix series.
How have things been since the release of Rana Naidu S2, your debut series outing?
I am getting more positive feedback than I anticipated. I was a little nervous. It is the first time I have deviated from what I normally do as an actor. I was a little jittery and I wasn’t sure how it was going to be received. But I was always very excited.
What does this appreciation mean to you?
It gives me the confidence that I can do different things. I also feel like I can do a lot more now as an actor... things that challenge me more or are beyond my fundamental personality. People started noticing me in a very different light and, for me, that is remarkable growth as an actor.
What did you do to prepare for a role that is largely unlike who you are?
I watched a lot of characters who I thought were powerful on camera. I watched Erin Brockovich. It is one of my favourite films. When I see Julia Roberts in that movie, I feel like she (Erin Brockovich, played by Roberts) is someone who carries a silent kind of a power in the way she approaches a situation. There is empathy in her. I also watched a lot of Succession.
The most important bit was listening to my directors. Karan (Anshuman, creator and co-director) had a long conversation with me about what he expects from this girl (Alia Oberoi). He told me: ‘Kriti, I want to use you in a way that no one has used you on camera before.’
Initially, it was difficult because he spoke to me about a lot of things that are not part of my fundamental being. Alia Oberoi is someone I don’t connect with on many levels, but at the same time, I never felt more of an actor before as I did playing her. It was the first time I wasn’t able to contribute anything on a personal level to a character but when I saw myself on screen — I won’t lie — I actually really liked myself! I am normally very critical of my performances. It is very rare for actors to look at themselves and say: ‘Wow, I have done such a good job.’ With this character and this show, I really felt that way. The good thing is that after the day of release, I felt I didn’t want anyone’s validation. But when I kept getting it, I enjoyed it, and I am still enjoying it. I feel like a newcomer suddenly.
There must have been performances in the past for which you have got ample praise. Can you name a few?
Karwaan (2018) had me in a very small role — it was essentially a cameo — but I did it for Akarsh (Khurana, director). I loved the character (Rumana), but I also did it for the people involved — I am a big fan of Irrfan sir as well as of Dulquer (Salmaan), and Mithila is such a lovely girl. But a lot of people did ask me why was I doing such a small role? With Karwaan, I felt magic come alive on screen. It gave me assurance that I have the sense to know an opportunity when I see one as an actor, as a human being, as a businesswoman. I started trusting myself a lot more after Karwaan, in terms of the decisions that I make.
That was followed by Taish (2020). Bejoy (Nambiar, director) had initially offered me the other part, which was later played by Sanjeeda (Shaikh). But during the narration, when he spoke about Arfa (who Kriti played eventually), there was something I felt for her that struck a chord with me. I said I wanted to play her and Bejoy was surprised because it was a smaller role than the one he had offered me. But I was like: ‘I don’t care, this is what I want to do.’ I have always trusted my gut.
For Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana (2017), I did one (audition) scene and told my management: ‘I don’t want to negotiate, I don’t care what monies they pay me. I want to do this film. There is something magical about it.’ And I had not even read the script at that point... I had only auditioned for two scenes!’ But those two scenes spoke to me.
With Rana Naidu, again, I trusted my gut. I knew I was getting into a series that was already well established and every character was so loved. I wasn’t sure if there was place for me or if I would be able to make that place for myself. But I trusted myself as an actor. I am very happy that it worked my way. Every choice I make gives me the assurance that I know what is good for me. My instincts towards my career are very strong. When I say ‘no’ to something, I have zero regrets. A lot of these decisions have shaped me into the person I am today.
Even when I started out, so many people told me Raaz Reboot (2016) was not the kind of film that would take me ahead. I said: ‘Why not?! It is me, I am the actor.’ The film did take me ahead. I did a variety of films after that, like Guest iin London (with Kartik Aaryan) and something like Housefull 4, which people didn’t associate with me at all. They always thought of me as a different kind of an actor but I don’t want to limit myself. I get bored when the same stuff is offered to me. I am like: ‘Nahin yaar, main bored ho rahi hoon.’ Your boredom as an actor off set, like on set, shows on screen. I don’t want that to happen to me.
Coming back to Alia in Rana Naidu, you have described her as an ‘observer’, ‘strategist’ and ‘disruptor’. Do these descriptors apply to you as well?
It depends on the role I am playing. These adjectives that I come up with before I shoot are very important. Rana Naidu was my first experience of shooting a show and I was surrounded by such wonderful actors, among which I knew I had to also stand out. While doing every scene, I would ask myself: ‘Kriti, are you observing, are you strategising or are you disrupting?’ When I asked myself these questions, my body language would change. I would feel differently and I enjoyed doing it. It is something that I have developed over time and it is probably only the second or third time that I have applied this to my methodology.
As an individual, I do have adjectives for myself which I am too shy to share (smiles). But whenever I am in a tricky situation, I talk to myself. Over the last few years, I have worked very hard on developing myself as a human being. I am good at reading people but I have realised I haven’t read myself yet.
Do you have Alia’s entrepreneurial skills and sharp business brain?
That is something I really relate to. Alia’s sharpness in recognising an opportunity as well as her ability to foresee what will happen in the future is the only thing about her that I identify with. I feel I can identify issues from a distance, as well as their solution... that is my superpower.
Do you and your husband Pulkit Samrat also give each other pep talk and advice, given that you both belong to the same profession and know it well?
Our personal and professional lives are in different spaces. He is a part of me just like I am a part of him. We do look out for each other, we go to each other for advice.... that is the best thing about having your best friend live with you.... that you can talk to them about everything under the sun, and every time you feel you are in a situation where you are not able to see things clearly, this person not just shows you a mirror but is also that shoulder you lean on to understand what to do next. Sometimes, when I lose perspective, I know that he is the one I will lean on. He is always there to help and so am I. We want to watch each other grow. What brings us together is that we are both very ambitious people, we are both loving people.
Your look in Rana Naidu is also different, especially the short hair. Pulkit had requested you to keep your hair that way even after the show. Have you?
No! (Laughs) I love my hair! I know how much it took for me to cut it for the role. I even remember when I cut my hair short — it was April 14, 2024 at 7.46pm — and I was crying! It was a very big deal for me. I know it sounds vain but I am very emotional about my skin and hair. I have always loved long hair and I had told myself that if I ever cut my hair it will be for a role. I love that Pulkit had that request but I am not cutting my hair — not until I am getting paid for it!