She started as a model, then turned item girl and dabbled in reality television but Gauahar Khan’s heart is set on films. Over the past couple of years, she has shone as a character actor, grabbing the audience’s attention with small parts in films like Ishaqzaade and the latest Begum Jaan. In Begum Jaan, she played Rubina, a feisty prostitute in pre-Partition India. In an exclusive interview with SpotboyE.com, Gauahar Khan talks about her professional plans and personal life.
Your character Rubina in Begum Jaan was well received by fans and critics...
It feels amazing when you get universal appreciation. Of course critical acclaim is really important for any actor. Even the mixed reviews have mentioned me in a positive light. I owed it to my director, who had so much belief in Rubina's character. Rubina is Srijit’s (director Srijit Mukherji) favourite character in Begum Jaan. Plus, I think that Rubina had an impact on every member of the audience who watched the film.
Your character Rubina in Begum Jaan was well received by fans and critics...
It feels amazing when you get universal appreciation. Of course critical acclaim is really important for any actor. Even the mixed reviews have mentioned me in a positive light. I owed it to my director, who had so much belief in Rubina's character. Rubina is Srijit’s (director Srijit Mukherji) favourite character in Begum Jaan. Plus, I think that Rubina had an impact on every member of the audience who watched the film.
I am constantly thinking, ‘Thank God I didn't let my director down’. People are congratulating me on social media, a few journalists also sent me messages praising my work.
You are getting a lot of compliments but which was the best compliment and from whom?
The greatest compliment I got was from Bhatt Sahab (Mahesh Bhatt). He said, ‘Gauahar as an actor playing a sex worker you are expected to have a certain body language. But you are so natural and so unaware of your body in the film. You didn't try to be Rubina but you have lived her.’ For me that is the biggest compliment, coming from one of my favourite and adored directors. I like his films like Zakhm, Gumraah. He is synonymous with realistic cinema in India. So I consider his compliment an achievement.
Begum Jaan also upset some members of the audience...
It's a serious film, it is a film that should upset you and shake you up. And that is what it has done. I have taken my family to see it and everybody came out shaken. If you are not disturbed by it, then you are not watching the film in the right spirit. And it is the world of sex workers and it’s realistic and not full of caricatures. I think what we wanted to achieve, we have achieved with the film.
Image Source: frontpage
Why have we not seen you as the female lead in a Bollywood film yet?
You should ask the film makers or the casting directors. I don’t know, all I can do is good work. I have learned this from my parents that 'Aapko mashakat karti rehni chahiye, upar wala jab aapko dena chahega woh dega’.
I am doing mehnat hoping that one day that comes true. I think I deserve it. Now everybody has noticed that I am a brilliant actor. Now I am hoping that it comes true. Since I have proven myself, I think I will soon get cast as the leading lady.
Who would you like to be paired with?
I have already worked with Ranbir Kapoor in Rocket Singh. But I was not opposite him, so I hope to be paired with him. I also like Farhan Akhtar as an actor, so I would love to work with him.
Image Source: Manav Manglani
And what would Gauahar Khan’s dream role be?
For me, Begum Jaan has been a dream role. I have a love story in the film. So despite not being the central character, Rubina had it all. Few love stories make you cry and people cried when she loses her love. I am grateful that I got the opportunity to play this and I will never be able to thank Srijit sir and Vidya enough.
Did Vidya Balan approach you for the film?
Yes, it was Vidya who messaged me that there is a film I am doing and it has a role which me and my director thinks is right for you. And then she took me to the director. Srijit sir said that I had you in my mind when i was thinking about this character but somehow there was some miscommunication about me not doing the film. But I am glad that Vidya sent me the message.
Image Source: instagram/gauaharkhan
Other than Rubina, your personal life too has kept you in the news, including rumours of a fight with VJ Bani...
I think you have already answered the question. The fight between me and Bani is just that, a rumour and let it be there.
Thumbnail Image Source: APH Images & instagram/gauaharkhan
You are getting a lot of compliments but which was the best compliment and from whom?
The greatest compliment I got was from Bhatt Sahab (Mahesh Bhatt). He said, ‘Gauahar as an actor playing a sex worker you are expected to have a certain body language. But you are so natural and so unaware of your body in the film. You didn't try to be Rubina but you have lived her.’ For me that is the biggest compliment, coming from one of my favourite and adored directors. I like his films like Zakhm, Gumraah. He is synonymous with realistic cinema in India. So I consider his compliment an achievement.
Begum Jaan also upset some members of the audience...
It's a serious film, it is a film that should upset you and shake you up. And that is what it has done. I have taken my family to see it and everybody came out shaken. If you are not disturbed by it, then you are not watching the film in the right spirit. And it is the world of sex workers and it’s realistic and not full of caricatures. I think what we wanted to achieve, we have achieved with the film.
Image Source: frontpage
You should ask the film makers or the casting directors. I don’t know, all I can do is good work. I have learned this from my parents that 'Aapko mashakat karti rehni chahiye, upar wala jab aapko dena chahega woh dega’.
I am doing mehnat hoping that one day that comes true. I think I deserve it. Now everybody has noticed that I am a brilliant actor. Now I am hoping that it comes true. Since I have proven myself, I think I will soon get cast as the leading lady.
Who would you like to be paired with?
I have already worked with Ranbir Kapoor in Rocket Singh. But I was not opposite him, so I hope to be paired with him. I also like Farhan Akhtar as an actor, so I would love to work with him.
Image Source: Manav Manglani
And what would Gauahar Khan’s dream role be?
For me, Begum Jaan has been a dream role. I have a love story in the film. So despite not being the central character, Rubina had it all. Few love stories make you cry and people cried when she loses her love. I am grateful that I got the opportunity to play this and I will never be able to thank Srijit sir and Vidya enough.
Did Vidya Balan approach you for the film?
Yes, it was Vidya who messaged me that there is a film I am doing and it has a role which me and my director thinks is right for you. And then she took me to the director. Srijit sir said that I had you in my mind when i was thinking about this character but somehow there was some miscommunication about me not doing the film. But I am glad that Vidya sent me the message.
Image Source: instagram/gauaharkhan
I think you have already answered the question. The fight between me and Bani is just that, a rumour and let it be there.
Thumbnail Image Source: APH Images & instagram/gauaharkhan