The legend of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose endures, as do conspiracy theories. One such theory is used as the basis for the latest web series Bose Dead/Alive featuring Rajkummar Rao as Netaji. And playing Bose’s wife Emilie Schenkl is the Belarus-born Anna Ador.
Anna, who came to India out of sheer love and has spent six years here, was so taken in by the relationship that Bose and Emilie shared that she believed it was important to explore to give her best to the part.
“Bose and Emilie were together for around three years before he left … that’s why most of their relationship was developed through letters. I hence thought it would be nice if I could also write similar letters to understand how she felt about Bose. I started writing letters to Rajkummar…” Anna revealed.
Was Rajkummar surprised? “He actually thought it was a fantastic idea. He agreed it helped build the equation between the characters and helped our performances,” she added.
Anna reminisces of the shoots in Poland. “Playing Emilie was an unforgettable experience. I had to work hard to acquire the German accent. Thankfully I had a German friend who helped, and I also went through a number of online courses to get it right,” she said.
Anna, or Anastasiya as she was named by her parents, had also represented Belarus in Indian dance. Growing up on Bollywood movies, she had started training in Kathak as an eight-year-old followed up Bharatnatyam. She would dance to Indian songs in many competitions in Belarus, till actually she represented the country overseas.
“I did not discover India when I landed here. I think it has been a part of me since I was a child. My grandmother was a Raj Kapoor fan and then we would watch movies of Shah Rukh and Salman. I came to India to meet my friends but when I went back home I realised I really loved staying in India. Hence I returned to Delhi,” Anna said.
Anna has tried her hand in theatre, production and even directed a short film Sthir, featuring Neelima Azeem. “I believe in learning my craft well. And everything I do is towards getting better at it. I have also been writing. Presently I am working on a script which I hope will be made into a feature film,” she said. Anna has already worked in films such as Yash Raj Films’ Qaidi Band and Gurgaon. She will soon be seen in an Indo-Polish co-production Nie Means Nie, which also stars Gulshan Grover.
Those who have worked with Anna swear by her focus. Even for Bose, she read up on the man and his life. “I would love to meet Anita, Netaji’s daughter who lives in Germany, someday. I know she has been to India a few times… I think Netaji’s story is incredible,” she said.
Noyon Jyoti Parasara
