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Aishwarya Sushmita is currently celebrating the success of her crime action series Bad Cop, starring Gulshan Devaiah and Anurag Kashyap in the lead roles. In an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times, she spoke about her experience working with Neeraj Pandey, the impact of social media, safety of women in the entertainment industry and more. Here are excerpts from the interview. (Also Read: Salman Khan’s ex Somy Ali reacts to Hema Committee report, talks about ‘Bollywood’s hero worship and culture of secrecy’)
Aishwarya Sushmita talks about playing grey characters, avoiding stereotypes
When asked if she was apprehensive or worried about playing Kiki in Bad Cop, as she had previously played dark and grey characters in Special Ops 1.5 and Khaki: The Bihar Chapter respectively, Aishwarya says, “I started my career with Special Ops. I found myself in a situation with grey shades, but Kiki is not completely grey. I would describe her as a very bold character, not a timid one. My on-screen presence demands a strong character to express the vision of the writer or director. Initially, my shoot for Special Ops was supposed to last for about 6-7 days. However, I shot for about 17 days for the show, which had only four episodes. It overlapped with Kay Kay Menon’s shooting period.
She also adds, “Khakee was also Neeraj Sir’s creation, and my character, Mita, turned out to be much more complex than I had thought. I trusted Neeraj Sir completely because his characters never go unnoticed. I trusted the team, including director Sheetal and Bhaav, who selected me after my audition. I also realised that Bad Cop had a strong character. Nowadays, audiences want to see multi-faceted characters, not just the usual romantic dramas. Now that I have established myself as an actor, I will be more selective in the roles I choose to take up to avoid being typecast. No actor wants to be confined to one category.”
Aishwarya on playing Mita in Khaki: The Bihar Chapter
When asked how helpful it was for her to understand the nuances and dialect while playing Mita Devi in Khakee: The Bihar Chapter, as she hails from Darbhanga, the actress said, “Working on any character is important for me, and I often draw from my experiences growing up in Darbhanga. Living there for 12 years gave me a deep understanding of the place and its intricacies, which greatly influenced my ability to play characters realistically. After my time in Darbhanga, I moved to a hostel in Rajasthan for my studies and later pursued my bachelors and masters in Delhi before moving to Mumbai. When I was offered the role of Mita, I felt the need to reacquaint myself with the environment of my upbringing, so I spent a week there. Being from Bihar, I found it relatively easy to understand the dialects because of my strong connection to my roots. To completely immerse myself into the character, I even switched off my phone for a week to focus on the finer details.”
Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen on influence of their lives
Aishwarya has previously spoken about the unique name given to her by her parents. When asked about the influence of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Sushmita Sen on her life, she said, “The name I was given has always inspired me. When I think of Sushmita and Aishwarya, I am inspired to strive for excellence. My parents gave me this name, and I admire these two extraordinary personalities. They are not only beautiful, but also talented and unique individuals. I am inspired by Sushmita’s confidence, way of speaking, and clarity. Aishwarya’s elegance is also something I admire. They are both legends, so there is a lot to learn from them. I want to try my best to be better, but in my own way. They are a true inspiration to me.”
Aishwarya’s Sushmita spoke about the harassment faced by women
When asked if parents of many budding actors these days are skeptical about them joining the entertainment industry because of the harassment and safety related reports, Aishwarya said, “I believe harassment of women is not limited to just one industry. It seems that women face more harassment in the corporate sector. I often hear about such incidents from my friends. It is the responsibility of society to ensure the safety of our women, wherever they are. However, some people do not respect boundaries. If you get such calls or messages, it is your responsibility to handle them and ensure your own safety. Many people already have their own opinions about the safety of the industry for women. Everything is glamorous in Bollywood, so any issue is immediately highlighted. However, the corporate sector does not get as much media attention. Unfortunately, even though an incident in the entertainment industry is immediately reported, incidents in the corporate sector often go unnoticed.”
The actor also added, “I know many of my friends’ parents are worried and have a lot of fear. It’s a common concern, and everyone needs to take responsibility and progress. We should not allow ourselves to be manipulated or exploited by the situation or other people. It’s important to speak about these issues to raise awareness. I hope for a world where women feel safe and have access to safe spaces so that even outsiders look at it positively.”
Aishwarya Sushmita spoke on negativity on social media
The Bad Cop actor, when asked about the impact of social media on the mental health of celebrities due to the need to seek validation from fans and followers, said, “I firmly believe that knowledge is incredibly empowering. I have seen some people post things to make themselves look intellectual, but I prefer to call them pseudo-intellectuals. When using social media, we should aim to post things that inspire others and add value to them. Our followers and fans idolise us, so we should not spread hate. Recently, I have seen a lot of posts about the issues of Palestine and Bangladesh. Right from the start, I have realised the importance of gaining knowledge. The sheer amount of content on social media can be confusing. I have prioritised focusing on reading books and watching movies that contribute to my personal and professional growth. Clarity is important, and it comes with life experience. It is important to maintain a healthy social media environment. There is already too much negativity, so it is better to focus on positive things.”
Aishwarya asked celebrities to talk about sensitive issues
When asked if celebrities should take responsibility when commenting on politically sensitive issues on social media, Aishwarya says, “I have noticed that public figures often stay away from political discussions or controversies, and that is perfectly fine. Politics can be very personal, and individuals have the right to keep their views private. I also know many people who are very vocal about politics away from the public eye. Public figures should avoid expressing their opinions without proper information, as they have a greater responsibility due to their influence on the public. Although many public figures do not join politics, those who join politics without proper information are often criticised on social media. The criticism is both constructive and negative. It is important for anyone, including me, to be well-informed before speaking on political matters, especially when you have a large number of followers. It is important to be sensitive and well-informed when discussing political issues, as it ultimately affects what is appropriate and beneficial for society.”
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