Akansha Ranjan Kapoor: Kangana Ranaut’s character in Queen is a dream role

It’s an exotic time ahead for Akansha Ranjan Kapoor. After a noteworthy debut in Netflix’s Guilty and a commendable performance in Vasan Bala’s Spotlight which was part of the anthology series Ray, Akansha is trying her hand at comedy. She plays Niki Adhikari who is the love interest of Rajkummar Rao’s Jay in Vasan’s upcoming crime-comedy Monica O My Darling. We spoke to her about the challenges of starting out in the industry, the kind of lead role she is looking for, and her best friend Alia Bhatt.

Excerpts:

What lured you to the role of Niki Adhikari in Monica O My Darling?

To be honest, it was Vasan (Bala) sir. I had experience working with him in Ray. So when he approached me saying that there is this fun, quirky script, I was like say no more. Moreover, after Guilty I was getting a lot of “depressed girl” roles and this was very different. My character Niki might seem dumb and silly but she has a grey vibe to her. The fact that it is a layered character interested me. 

You are a lot into the darker side of cinema. Your previous projects Guilty and Ray bear testimony to that. Now even Monica O My Darling is a crime-comedy. What makes you gravitate towards this genre?

I am very intuitive as a person and also as an actor. If I read something and I connect with it, I don’t bother myself with the genre and the kind of role. When I did Guilty, I wanted to do a role that speaks to the audience. I didn’t want to just come and go. As an actor, I want to explore all genres and don’t want to limit myself. I did Monica O My Darling also because it is a comedy and I always wanted to explore that.

As a young actor, what are the factors you consider while picking up a project?

With time the factors have changed. We are moving away from anything superficial. I definitely want to work with good directors. I even have a wish list. I also look at the character I am playing. I have a point to prove, and I don’t want my performance to get lost in the crowd. I just want to do a role people will remember. 

With a project like Monica O My Darling, which is a multi-starrer, how do you ensure your performance leaves a mark?

I am not insecure. I am more than happy for everyone to get their due because if they are great, people will watch our film. I know that my role is in my hands. Vasan sir even told me that my character Niki wasn’t that impactful on paper, but my performance ensured it became so. I made the character my own and I hope it will make an impact.

I know it has just been three projects but still, how do you think you have evolved as an actor?

I don’t want to blow my own trumpet but I got positive responses about my performance in Guilty. I didn’t have many expectations when I did Ray because I thought it is an anthology and I won’t be noticed much. But I got a lot of calls saying that I have grown a lot in Ray and seem more confident. It’s baby steps of course. With Monica, I learnt comic timing. I wish it translates on the screen as well.

Comedy is tough to crack…

Exactly. I am a funny person in life so all my friends said you have to do comedy. I told them it is not that easy to do it in front of the camera (laughs).

How was it working with the cast?

There was this funny incident during shoot. I ruined Rajkummar’s close-up during a scene, which is also in the teaser, where I say ‘Angola sounds exotic’ because I kept laughing while looking at him. I really thought Raj is going to kick me out of the set but he was very funny and understanding. Huma (Qureshi) was an easy and breezy person, and she has been a dear friend. I hadn’t met Radhika (Apte) before. I had a scene with her and after that I was shivering because I was around such amazing talent.

Have you thought about what kind of lead roles you wish to be in?

It’s kind of spiritual but if I fixate myself on a particular role, I am limiting myself. But, a character like Kangana’s (Ranaut) in Queen is a dream role. I think the role has everything to show that you can as an actor.

Your best friend Alia Bhatt recently got married, has catching up become difficult now?

A little bit has changed. A lot of my friends recently got married, my sister (Anushka Ranjan Kapoor) also got married, so I can’t go for a stayover to their house because now a boy is there (laughs). Everyone’s growing up and it is a bit hard-hitting but we still manage to find time for each other.