How was the look of the character created? But I think I reached a stage where I became more accepting of even my angry side, which is when I felt ready to face that part of me and lend that side of me to the screen – and that is why Begum Jaan came to me.” Most of the time, we find it difficult to talk about things that we are justifiably angry about. There is a certain perception or conditioning that women should not be seen as angry animals. “I have always let myself go at home but outside, if you let yourself go, in terms of your anger, you are scared of being judged. In that context, in real life, do you let yourself go? There was a lot of pent up anger in me which found a voice in Begum Jaan – not about any one thing, but just about being able to express it.” At home I am expressive, but when I step out, I’m cautious. Socially, there is a conditioning that forces you to suppress your anger. For a long time, there had been this muffled voice within me, like there would be in most girls and women. “Every character of mine frees a part of me. You have spoken about being able to vent your anger and pent up feelings in the movie. She lives life on her own terms, and that makes Begum Jaan truly unique to me.” She stands on her own two feet and is not scared of standing alone or getting into and seeing through a fight. And she is comfortable and unapologetic about it. What sets her apart from every woman I have known personally or played on screen is the fact that she is not only strong, but powerful too. On the contrary, it is her attitude that makes others bend. She really is like the pillar that can weather any storm, she is unfazed she will not bend to accommodate.
She is the most consummate and complete character I have played. So, that one act destroys your ability to have faith in anyone other than yourself. Life hasn’t given her a chance to believe in anyone else. What is the USP of the titular character? I found her – and therefore the film – irresistible.”
And finally and most importantly it was Begum Jaan herself – I’ve never come across a woman with this kind of an attitude, nonchalance and audacity. What fascinated me was that you are seeing Partition through the eyes of the most marginalised, probably the weakest section of society and that it was written by a man who had such a deep understanding of women. It is the story of 11 brave women who happen to be sex workers.
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