Kritika Kamra: ‘As an actor, you are rejected for the way you look and talk'

Kritika Kamra. Pics/Kirti Surve Parade

In a scene in Saare Jahan Se Accha, Kritika Kamra's journalist character declares that she is used to speaking her mind openly. As much as the trait resonated with the actor, she admitted that it's not always possible to be publicly opinionated about issues as an artiste in India today.

"When you are responsible not only for yourself but also for other people, whether it's your cast and crew, or family, [it becomes difficult]. True freedom is where you can dissent. But an atmosphere can exist where you have to consider things that are bigger than you before speaking your mind. But I try my best. You can express yourself through your art as well," said Kamra at a special panel discussion hosted by mid-day at St Xavier's College in Mumbai.

At the event, the actor was joined by her Saare Jahan Se Accha co-stars - Pratik Gandhi, Sunny Hinduja, Suhail Nayyar, and Anup Soni - as they reflected on the Netflix series and their respective careers. Kamra's 18-year journey in the industry hasn't been without its share of rejections. The actor, who has made a mark in television as well as OTT, recalled how being turned down by casting agents in her initial years felt hurtful.

She said, "As an actor, you are rejected for the way you look and talk. It's personal. So, it becomes difficult to detach from that. Earlier, in the Aram Nagar auditions, you'd enter and [they would say], ‘Fit' or ‘Not fit.'

[The decision] was based on how you look. Maybe they needed a person from a certain age group or region, but nobody told you why you weren't fit for the role. So, I used to think, ‘Am I not fit to be an actor?'"