Failure is important in life, says Yami Gautam

Yami Gautam has completed five years in the Hindi film industry and she couldn’t be happier that this year has given her the biggest success of her career with Kaabil. The actor talks to HT Café about her career, image and changed attitude.

It’s been five years since your debut film Vicky Donor (2012). How has the journey been?

I feel that I have grown a lot, not just as an actor but even as person. Today, I have priorities and I know what I am doing, so I am in a happy space. With experience and confidence, my attitude has changed. Moreover, I have been through a phase — not that it can never happen again in the future — where your films don’t do well. When that happens, you feel embarrassed to talk to the media, wondering what to say, about comparisons, etc. But today, I feel I am over that feeling. I think failure is important in life as it helps you understand the value of things. The moment you get confident and don’t shy away from it, you become stronger.

The film industry is a tough place, right?

No, it is a very tough place. But as it gives you recognition at a global level, it can’t be easy to make it here either.

How are you feeling after Kaabil’s success?

A film’s success is always amazing but Kaabil was one of the rare films that got success and respect at the same time. The feeling where people talk with respect — about the subject, the execution, the actors — makes it special. It was a huge takeaway for me and I’ll always cherish it.

With your girl-next-door image, was it a surprise for you to be offered a grey role in your next film, Sarkar 3?

I was surprised but I was excited too. As an actor, I want to be as versatile as possible but not for the heck of it. A different but random role won’t help because the right projection of your character is important. This film has a niche fan following and to get a substantial role is the best thing. Ramu sir (director Ram Gopal Varma) said, the audiences won’t expect you to shoot in the film, so it will be exciting. I can’t wait to see the reactions as we have tried something different.