Ankita Dwivedi, who will shortly make her feature film debut in Hamare Baarah, talks with The Pioneer about the story, her role and other details on the film.
Shraddha Neware
With the upcoming movie Hamare Baarah, Ankita Dwivedi will make her feature film debut as Rukhsaar. She was a former journalist who, despite her parents’ objections, wished to pursue a career in acting. She is now making a significant decision to move to Bollywood and is leaving journalism behind. It’s said that she will be taking on a demanding new role that will hopefully lead to important conversations about pervasive social problems. The aspiring actress opens up to The Pioneer about her experience in an exclusive interview.
This anticipated film tackles important topics in today’s world, such as societal prejudices and gender bias. The debutante actress plays the role of Rukhsaar, a woman at the center of the Lucknow-set story. In the story Hamare Baarah, Rukhsaar, is Ustad Manzoor’s second wife. She married a man three decades senior to her at the age of eighteen.
The movie tackles issues of societal prejudice and gender bias through a cast of characters, particularly the women characters who rebel against their oppressors. The story, which takes place in a patriarchal culture, emphasises the struggles and resistance to injustices faced by Rukhsaar and other women. According to the former journalist, “Addressing these issues is essential because they are fundamental to humanity and have an impact on equality and the quality of life in societies.”
The purpose of the movie is to raise awareness of the oppression, brutality, and injustice that women experience. Under pressure from her family, the main character marries an elderly guy with the expectation that she will have children and take care of the home. The fearless actress says, “Her path reflects the experiences of millions of women in India and around the world, not just her own. She is a symbol of “women,” and many people will find great resonance in her story. Her narrative will go down in history as that of a lady who, by her love and kindness, transformed the world and became an inspiration for empowerment and resiliency.”
Kamal Chandra has a distinct directorial style that is firmly based in human emotions. Using the character’s emotional journey as a starting point, the perceptive actress works to convey his vision. “I was really inspired by him to portray Rukhsaar in my work. With his help, I was able to fully commit to the role and bring out the richness and nuance of Rukhsaar’s narrative,” the actress says.
For someone who was so inexperienced to acting, navigating sensitive situations that deal with pregnancy and the freedom to choose was quite difficult. It caused her to consider the difficulties faced by other women in similar situations. This insight gave her even more motivation to perform since she wants to honour their bravery and resiliency. “Hamare Baarah will undoubtedly encourage enlightening discussions about women’s rights and contraceptive options. It seems to have begun already.” The elegant actress continues, “The movie will have an effect on viewers and cause them to consider the ideological decisions we have been making for millennia.” Reading the Hamare Baarah storyline made the actress very happy. She considered the tale to be really compelling and her character to be tough and challenging. Since she improvised most of it, her favourite sequence in the film is the climax!
“After I finished giving the shot for my first scene, the director said cut, Annuji stood up and clapped and appreciated the performance,” she enthusiastically says in response to a question about her favourite set memory. “When my climax moment was being filmed, everyone on the sets, including the staff, was in tears. ‘Ankita, you have outdone yourself in this movie; this climax scene will be remembered as the best scene,’ my director told me as she gave me a pat on my back after the last take.”
The astute actress conducted extensive study for the part and had in-depth discussions with ladies who shared the same destiny as her character. “In order to comprehend what pregnant ladies go through, I spoke with my mother about the pregnancy portion of the process and also visited with other pregnant women. To make Rukhsaar come to life, I have devoted my entire being to this persona. She will be cherished for her identity and principles,” the fervent former journalist said.
The audience’s interest has been piqued by the teaser, and the responses have been unexpectedly mixed. The bold actress is eager for people to see the film, for this reason. She underlines that it’s a masterfully written account of a compassionate and loving young mother.
The up-and-coming actress says, “It will bring positive changes and spark positive conversations among the audience.”
“I was deeply moved by my character’s tenacity and her affection for her family. My affection for my family made it easier for me to comprehend her hardships and commitment to her own family.” The native of Chhatarpur continues, “She devoted every square inch of her being to the betterment of her children. Working on the movie caused me to experience a change in myself, which helped me become a more sympathetic person overall. I attempted to do justice to such a delicate and significant character, giving the role my all.”
She had to make her way through intimidating situations in the busy metropolis of Mumbai on her path to becoming an actress. “In the cutthroat entertainment industry, getting through auditions and making relationships demands tenacity and a grasp of social dynamics.” The journalist-turned-actress recalls, “Despite these challenges, the journey from Chhatarpur to Mumbai offered opportunities for personal and professional growth, with each obstacle overcome reflecting resilience and determination to succeed in a new environment.”
“While looking for extracurricular activities, I came across the theatre industry and was drawn to it right away. My drive to explore the realms of storytelling through acting was fuelled by each Proscenium part that drew me in as I became more experienced in the business.” The exquisite actress concludes by saying, “My debut act, a mime performance, marked the beginning of a transformative journey.”
