Kalki Koechlin recently revisited her experience working on Zoya Akhtar’s cult classic Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), reflecting on how the film’s impact only hit her much later. In an interview with Aleena Dissects, Kalki spoke about audience reactions to her character, Natasha, and shared some behind-the-scenes moments from the Spain shoot and hectic promotional tours. Kalki recalls casual Spain shootWhen asked if she sensed the cultural phenomenon the film would become, Kalki admitted, “No, I mean, I knew I was surrounded by big stars, but even then, it didn’t feel like that. We were shooting in Spain, and people there didn’t recognise Hrithik Roshan or Katrina Kaif that much, so it was quite casual. We’d sit together at restaurants, and no one would disturb us.” The realisation came later, she revealed, “I only began to understand what was happening during the promotions. That’s when it hit me. We went on mall visits and the crowds were insane—that’s when I realised how big this film really was.” Audience saw Natasha as ‘posh and Prada-wearing’Natasha, Kalki’s character, was often perceived as controlling and elitist. Addressing how the audience responded to that role, she said, “Yes, of course, a lot of people thought I was very posh and always roaming around wearing Prada. Thank God Aditi came after that—it was the opposite. Unfortunately, I’m not that posh in real life. I don’t have a ‘bag with you’ kind of lifestyle.”
She further elaborated on the challenges of portraying Natasha, “It was a difficult character to play. She’s a big b*tch—I love to say that. It was also irritating because the costume was so uncomfortable—tight clothes, huge heels. Meanwhile, all the boys and Katrina were in their cool, breezy summer outfits just chilling, and I was sitting there sweating in tight denim.”But Kalki turned that discomfort into creative fuel, “Those were the limitations of the character, but I used that frustration to fuel my performance. I’d think, ‘Right now I’m like this, I’m jealous, I can’t do what they’re doing’—and that’s part of life, too.”
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