Tisca Chopra has come a long way from her theatre days, and the journey has been nothing short of eventful. Her claim to fame happened with Taare Zameen Par, which also got her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor (Female). As we take a trip down memory lane, she also talks about getting a Filmfare Award for Best Actor Female at the Filmfare Short Film Awards 2017, which was a pleasant surprise that still makes her immensely proud and happy. She was recently seen in the whodunit film Murder Mubarak, which had an ensemble cast featuring Pankaj Tripathi, Sara Ali Khan, Vijay Varma, Dimple Kapadia, Karisma Kapoor, Sanjay Kapoor, Suhail Nayyar, and Tara Alisha Berry. She gets chatty about why multi-starrers with a purpose will always be satisfying to act in as she breaks down her layered character in the film and what it has to offer. Excerpts from an engaging interview with the multi-talented actress.
With films like Murder Mubarak and Jug Jugg Jeeyo, we have seen a glamorous side of you that we probably weren’t aware of.
I did a few when I started. I think I was at the wrong time at the wrong place. Murder Mubarak is glamorous, but my character is so meaty. Standing around and having my hair blown by a fan won’t do it for me at all. So for me, I think it has to be style and substance.
How challenging was it to do comedy in Murder Mubarak?
I was a little apprehensive. Let me first put that out. I was apprehensive because I had never done comedy on such a high note. Most of my notes that have struck a chord with the audience are dramatic and emotional. To be able to strike a note, and yet towards the end, you notice that she comes back with an emotional banger of a scene, which is beautiful for the character. It’s extremely satisfying because she starts off doing this. Everyone thinks she’s deep and this super rich cat from the club, but then you notice she’s got chunks in her armour, and she gets nervous about the fact that her son is in trouble. And finally, she has a full-on breakdown.
What was the best part about being directed by Homi Adajania?
He’s joyful and has such warm energy. To handle an ensemble like this, to get the best out of everyone, and to be able to imagine how each person will shine, is what he managed, and that is a feat.
Tell us the boon and bane of being a part of a multi-starrer.
I will answer that question very differently. I will say that every story must be taken on its merit. You can’t have a whodunit when there are no who’s. It’d be bizarre if you have two people; then it’s either A or B. It won’t work; when it becomes a multi-starrer, it necessarily needs to be so.
Manish Malhotra announced his production house recently, and your next directorial Train from Chaprola is a collaboration with him.
I’ve known Manish for close to 30 years. He’s a very wonderful hands-on producer, and he’s a much-loved human being, and for good reason. I will not spoil it for him by telling how this passion for storytelling came to him, but he has a story to tell.
Where did this passion for directing come from?
When I wrote a story that I loved along with my co-writer, they felt that I was the best person to direct it. And that was when I narrated to my producer. They were like, You should direct it. This is the one. So that it came out of that.
What’s your tone of writing?
A little layered with a sort of deeper, most thoughtful working resonance that lies at the heart of it. The top layer could be funny or light; the middle layer could have a far more human angle; and then there is a third layer, which has a sort of spirit. Spiritual in the sense that it has some sort of deeper essence.
Aamir Khan has recently announced the sequel to Taare Zameen Par. How nostalgic do you feel?
I don’t get very emotional when I watch my films, and they are hypocritical. I wish I could have done this. I could have done that. And it’s torture for me to watch my stuff. So, you know, someone else is watching it. I might sit and watch it for 5 minutes, but then I’m out of there very soon.
Did you get a chance to speak to Aamir?
I met him at his daughter Ira’s reception. But yeah, there’s too much going on. No, I haven’t had a chance, but it’s amazing that this still has value and nuance after 15 years. Amazing. I’m so happy that he’s going ahead and taking it to the next level.
