Rakul Preet Singh

Rakul Preet Singh had as many as 5 releases in 2022 –among the highest for a Bollywood actress – but more than the number of film releases in a year, it is the Bollywood star’s versatility of roles that has been garnering her much praise! In fact, continuing her success run, the actress has kickstarted 2023 on a high note too with her recent release Chhatriwali that’s hit home with movie-lovers. We caught up with the actress closer to the release and as we talked about this film that addresses and explores the ‘tabboo’ subject of sex education, Rakul tells me why it’s a film that needed to be made and also seen. In a candid chat, she also talked about maintaining that fine balance of doing all kinds of cinema and shared her take on all things love.

ARE YOU MORE EXCITED OR NERVOUS AHEAD OF YOUR FILM’S RELEASE?

Super-excited! Especially when it’s a film like Chhatriwali, I wouldn’t say nervous, but I was sort of eager to know people’s response. And you know you just hope that they like it.

DOCTOR G, THANK GOD, RUNWAY 34, ATTACK, CUTTPUTLLI… YOU HAD AS MANY AS FIVE RELEASES LAST YEAR (2022) AND YOU HAVE STARTED THIS YEAR ON A VERY EXCITING NOTE ALREADY. SO WHAT’S THE WAY GOING FORWARD FOR YOU AND WHAT’RE THE KIND OF PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE SIGNING?

Well, the aim is still the same - I just want to do good films. It’s not about the count of films that come out in a year that excites me. That also just so happened because there was pandemic before that and everything sort of came together. But having said that, I think my endeavor is to do different kinds of films. I want to do the commercial ones, the naach-gaana, you know the big scale. And I also want to do hardhitting films, and socially-driven films like Chattriwali. So I want to keep experimenting and keep pushing my boundaries and I hope that I can continue doing that.

CHATTRIWALI IS COMPLETELY RESTING ON YOUR SHOULDERS. DOES THAT PUT EXTRA PRESSURE ON YOU?

It’s not really pressure, I think it’s more about responsibility. And that responsibility is generally while you are filming. Because the makers, the team has trusted you with something that’s their vision with their world and then you just have to be responsible to deliver that. But once that’s done, and the film is ready, then I’ve done my bit. Of course there’s always excited energy to see how people respond. But I don’t operate with a sense of pressure.

THE TOPIC OF SEX EDUCATION THAT CHHATRIWALI ADDRESSES IS VERY RELEVANT AND HAS REALLY BEEN A TABOO SUBJECT. HOW WAS IT FOR YOU BACK WHEN YOU WERE TAUGHT ABOUT IT AND HOW HAD YOU DEALT WITH IT THEN?

Oh, we were also kind of awkward, like how the people in the film are shown to be. I think each one of us has been through that phase. I was introduced to sex education in ninth standard in school and I was very shy and awkward like any other kid who wanted to bunk that class. And now when I think about it, I’m like I don’t know why? Because it’s a part of the educational system. It’s a mandate. Then why as a society are we failing to make these conversations normal. Because it’s nothing different than how you would address any other organ of your body. You know if you read about the circulatory system, respiratory system. Your cardiovascular system and then suddenly when you come to reproductive system, you’re like oohhh! So, somewhere as a society we are failing because it’s as important. It comes under the same umbrella of health; it comes under awareness. Then how can you not be aware of something that’s going on in your body. And that’s what we address in the film.

YOUR FILM DOCTOR G ALSO IN SOME WAY SPOKE ABOUT NORMALIZING THIS CONVERSATION...

I think that’s a different conversation. That was about normalizing basic gynecology. Men don’t even know the process that women go through. But here it’s more about highlighting the need of sex education on a more grass root level. Because when that happens, it automatically leads to more awarenesswhether it’s in your body or as a male in your partner’s body. And I do hope that this film becomes a conversation-stirrer.

IT WAS A DIRECT TO DIGITAL RELEASE ON ZEE5 GLOBAL. DO YOU THINK A FILM LIKE THIS GETS A BETTER REACH THROUGH THE OTT?

I’m very happy that it released on Zee5 Global, because for our makers, directors, the actors, the main idea is to reach as many households and that’s how awareness is created. And I truly believe that it’s great that it’s Zee5 Global because globally they have such a great reach, but also enjoy a high reach with Tier 2, Tier 3 cities. And I’m really happy with the response the film has been getting.

WHAT MAKES YOU SAY A YES TO A FILM?

I just look at the script. If the script excites me, whichever platform it is, then I want to do it.

HOW WOULD YOU SAY HAVE YOU EVOLVED AS AN ACTOR?

Learning is a very subconscious process and the more you work, you sort of understand your craft better, you understand what you like to do, also the nuances better. So your grip on your work material is better. But evolving is always an ongoing process. You never know it all. I mean when I look at my initial films, I’m like ‘oh no what am I doing’ and ‘I could’ve done this better’ because you’re always trying to do better. So, it’s a constant process!

YOU ARE IN A VERY SETTLED PHASE PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY TOO. ANY SPECIAL PLANS FOR THIS VALENTINE’S DAY?

Well, I should be surprised if there’s anything. I’m working through February. And I’m not really a person who’s a believer of all these celebratory days once in a year. I think love is a wider emotion and I think it needs to be celebrated every day, in every form. Whether its parental love, sibling love, love for your pets or your partner, anybody; I think it needs to be celebrated every day.