Yami Gautam: For me, it is not just about nepotism but favouritism

Actor Yami Gautam’s new film Ginny Weds Sunny premiered recently on Netflix and the actor is gearing up for shooting her upcoming horror comedy, Bhoot Police, co-starring Saif Ali Khan, Arjun Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandez. The film is helmed by Pawan Kripalani. Yami Gautam, who is known for her distinctive oeuvre, which includes a host of interesting and different roles, gets candid in a chat arranged as part of Cinema Express Time Pass, a series of webinars organised by The New Indian Express group, and hosted by senior journalist Kaveree Bamzai.

Yami Gautam is currently residing in her hometown Chandigarh and confesses that this lockdown has been a roller coaster ride for her, during which she has learned to reconnect with herself. According to her, the pandemic was a wake-up call which reinforced the importance of basic humanity and the healing power of love.

Yami has a new theatrical release coming up with Bhoot Police and is also set to star in an original OTT release, A Thursday, directed by Behzad Khambata. Yami Gautam affirms that streaming platforms have emerged as a saviour in the pandemic for both audiences and the film fraternity. “It is a huge game changer,” the actor states, as she explains how even two years ago, artists used to think twice before signing an exclusive OTT film. The actor adds that while theatres will continue to have their charm, streaming has established itself as a lucrative parallel.

Sharing her experience on dubbing for Ginny Weds Sunny during the pandemic, Yami admits that it was difficult to transition to a joyous role during the stressful and anxious time of the Covid-19 crisis.

Shooting for Bhoot Police begins in Himachal Pradesh, where the infection rate is relatively lower. The actor questions if the film industry is financially and mentally prepared to start shooting with the necessary precautions in place.

Commenting on the nepotism debate, Yami states that nepotism is deep-rooted. She asserts that while someone from the fraternity launching their friends or close ones is fair, what is unfair is when someone is elevated at the cost of another’s just chance. “For me, it is not just about nepotism, but favouritism. It is a bigger picture,” she adds. 

Yami Gautam has an intense passion for evolving as an actor, trying out all kinds of roles in every genre, and she remarks that her philosophy of acting is not based on any formula.