‘I’M EAGER TO LEARN BENGALI, WORK IN A BENGALI FILM’

Gauahar Khan says she would love any opportunity to work with filmmaker Srijit Mukherji

Gauahar Khan is eager to learn Bengali and star in a film in the language. The actor says she is in awe of filmmaker Srijit Mukherji, with whom she has worked with in the 2017 movie Begum Jaan. Gauahar has now dubbed in Hindi for a character in Srijit’s latest Bengali film, Gumnaami, which released recently.

Talking about dubbing for Gumnaami, Gauahar says: “My character is the wife of the protagonist. It’s a political and historical subject. This morning I was reading some amazing reviews of the film. I feel dubbing is 70% of acting, and if you don’t do it properly you can really spoil it for an actor. So, it’s a big responsibility.”

The period drama deals with the three theories behind Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s death. The first being the plane crash theory, the second being the theory that he died in Russia, and the third theory being that he came back to India and died as Gumnaami Baba. The film mainly looks at the Mukherjee Commission’s proceedings, where all these theories were discussed, debated and questioned.

Talking about the relevance of the subject in today’s times, Gauahar says: “It (Bose’s death) is still a mystery. Even today history books don’t tell you what happened. There are different versions and theories. As a director, only Srijit sir can dare to take up a subject like this, which has caused quite a stir. But he is always careful with his homework.”

The actor considers Srijit a genius. “Working with him in any capacity is an amazing experience. Srijit sir is a genius — I always tell him that! The way he perceives things, the way he thinks about a scene, the way he directs is very unique and very intelligent. I am in awe of everything he does. Any opportunity to work with him, I’d definitely do it,” she adds.

The actor also expressed her eagerness to get directed by the multiple National Award-winning director in a Bengali film. “I’d love to do a Bengali film with him! I’d love to learn the language. Bengali is a very sweet language. If Srijit sir ever gives me that opportunity, I’ll definitely do it. Even if he makes a Bollywood film next, I hope to be a part of that,” she says, adding: “I learnt Punjabi for a Punjabi film and now I can speak Punjabi fluently. I am eager to learn Bengali, too.”

The actor, whose beauty defies her age, shares her secret: “I just try to stay happy.”

I am making the most of my time. I do everything I have to. I try to rediscover myself every time I am on a film set, playing a new character.

GAUAHAR KHAN ACTOR