Can't afford a woman-centric film just now: Kriti Kharbanda

Kriti Kharbanda, who shares screen space with Rajkummar Rao in the upcoming film Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, says though she wants to, she cannot indulge in the idea of a woman-centric film right now.

Asked if she wants to play a protagonist in a female-centric film, Kriti says, "I am not as famous as I wish to be, and therefore, I do not have the ability to pull the crowd to the theatre. As an artiste, with a good story, it is a lucrative thing to act in a woman-centric film. But, having said that, I cannot let my producer suffer for my creative satisfaction."

However, she adds, "I think in the south I can do it, especially in the Kannada film industry. I am popular enough to do a woman-centric film there."

Born and brought up in Delhi, Kriti moved to Bengaluru after finishing her high school. She had a stint as a model before debuting as an actor in a Telugu film. She then entered Bollywood with Guest Iin London.

Kriti is happy about having worked with Rajkummar -- a National Award-winning actor -- in Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, which is releasing on Friday. "I think I have learnt how to be a good co-actor because he is one. I've heard people say how in a Rajkummar Rao film, people only watch him in the frame and he can overshadow others. But I must say, he is such a good co-actor who always lets you act your best, because acting is also about reacting," she says.

So, who are the directors and actors she wants to work with? "I want to work with Sriram Raghavan, Imtiaz Ali, Karan Johar and of course any other director who is offering a great role to play in a film. And when it comes to heroes, everyone is different and working with each of them, I will get a chance to embrace some of their qualities. So I would love to work with all of them," she adds.