Films Have Started Showing Women In A Realistic Light: Kalki Koechlin

Actor Kalki Koechlin, who is known for her strong characters in films such as That Girl in Yellow Boots (2011), Margarita with a Straw (2015) and the recently released A Death in the Gunj, is happy that nowadays, heroines are getting to play strong characters.

She says, “This is because women are seen in very easy categories. An innocent and beautiful woman is the heroine and the extreme opposite is someone who is sexually-confident, and she is always the villain. However, slowly the lines are blurring. People are not apologetic about strong female characters. Films have started showing women in a realistic light.”

The 33-year-old adds that when it comes to female characters in films, a topic like sexuality is still considered a taboo. But with realistic films faring well now, talking about such issues is necessary. “Unfortunately, we have not been exposed to talking freely about sexuality. We are socially uncomfortable with it. There is a reckoning happening and it can’t be avoided,” Kalki adds.

The actor, who was last seen in actor-filmmaker Konkona Sen Sharma’s directorial debut, says it was a pleasure to work with her. “Konkona is someone who is a perfectionist. She was constantly guiding us throughout the film. From makeup, look test to the costume trial, she was a constant support. She went though all the lines for me. It’s great when the director takes so much interest in your performance,” says Kalki.