Actress Regina Cassandra, who made her Hindi debut in 2019 with Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga starring Sonam Kapoor, took over the OTT space with her portrayal of Mrinalini Sarabhai in Rocket Boys and Flient Lieutenant Avantika Rao in Shoorveer.
The Pan-India actress, who was recently seen in the Telugu action-comedy film Saakini Daakini speaks exclusively to The Free Press Journal about taking on versatile roles, her upcoming web series Farzi with Raj and DK, and more.
Excerpts:
It was refreshing to see two female leads in Saakini Daakini, was it an immediate yes for this project?
Since this was a remake of a South Korean film (Midnight Runners- with two male leads), after watching it, I understood how different it would be to actually see two women fighting for a cause for women. I did say yes immediately. But also saying yes meant that now, seeing how the film would be adapted to Indian sensibilities and how two girls were going to make ‘beating up the baddies’ look real.
A still from Saakini Daakini |
You’ve done a lot of action sequences in the film. Tell us about your prep.
When you're doing an action role, it’s important to let your body actually soak in everything. As an actor, it opened up a side of me that I feel has been dormant for a while. Interestingly, not many are used to actresses doing full-fledged action on sets. I have not come across any female fight master in my career to date. Hence, the fight master on my set, mainly his assistants would refer to me as ‘Sir’ and then be like ‘Oh sorry! Madam' or 'Ma'am.’ People have it deeply engraved in their heads as to who does action on set, not realising that gender roles have changed.
2022 has been all about OTT for you, has the medium proved to be more helpful in terms of work opportunities?
People I never thought would be watching something that I've done, have actually seen it. So yes, OTT has been very helpful, I’ve been able to reach out to filmmakers of various languages and my audience has definitely become bigger. It is a blessing and I’m really grateful for it.
You're opting for versatile roles, do you consciously intend to challenge yourself as an artist?
I'm always challenging myself, wanting to know what this or that would be like. When someone tells me that I cannot do something it's not the stubbornness in me that asks why? But it comes from a place of curiosity. I just want to be me, and it's not something that's conscious. I like picking up current issues that I like to talk about. I feel so blessed to be in a profession where I can actually speak about what I believe in by not necessarily talking about it, but by doing it and by being it. So all of that translates into the kind of films and shows that I choose. All these verticals are basically me putting out to the world what I would like to be and what I would like to see. So if these things do come across as challenging then they are. I think consistency is key and I will stick to my guns and do what I've been doing.
Why didn't you do more Hindi films after Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019)?
Please ask the filmmakers. For me, it's all about picking the right projects and doing the right things. I have gotten quite a few offers but if I have to put out to the world what it is that I want to do then things will take time and I'm happy with the time that it's taking. I think I'm moving slowly and steadily and that's most important for me.
A still from Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga |
What can you tell us about Farzi with Raj Nidimoru and Krishna D.K.?
They're one of the finest directors that India has seen. I think both of them as individuals are so good that they come together as a door so well. They encourage new filmmakers. I'm so looking forward to Farzi. I have played a small role in it. They are directors that I would love to work with again in the future.
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