In an insightful conversation with The Pioneer, Kirti Kulhari opens up about her compelling performance in Hisaab Barabar on ZEE5, where she takes on the role of a layered police officer in a story that effortlessly combines humour with serious undertones. Known for her standout roles, she delves into her approach of bringing emotional depth and nuance to every character, focusing on the smallest gestures to convey complex emotions
Tejal Sinha
With a filmography that spans bold, unconventional roles across genres, Kirti Kulhari has carved a niche for herself in the industry. Known for her nuanced performances in projects like Pink, Four More Shots Please! and Criminal Justice, the actress once again brings a layered character to life in Hisaab Barabar, now streaming on ZEE5. The Indo-Swedish co-production, directed by Ashwini Chaudhary, takes a lighthearted yet deeply insightful approach to a serious subject, using humour to lace its narrative. This unique tonality is what immediately intrigued Kirti. “They have used humour to sort of place such a serious subject and that really fascinated me. It’s something I haven’t done before and that’s what drew me to the project,” she shares.
In Hisaab Barabar, Kirti plays a police officer, a role that, on paper, could have been a straightforward one. However, she was determined to bring depth and complexity to her character. “It looks like a very simple character on paper and it could have been a one-dimensional thing. But with the way it was written and the way Ashwini sir and I explored it, I am so glad that it has come out so powerfully on screen,” she says.
For the Mission Mangal actress, the challenge often lies in finding emotional subtleties that can be conveyed through the smallest of gestures. “That’s what excites me—the idea of communicating emotions through just a look or a moment, rather than over-explaining them. When something looks easy on paper, I love the challenge of making it deeply impactful.”
Unlike some of her past roles, her research for Hisaab Barabar was not extensive. “I didn’t feel the need to meet real-life police officers because my character is not just a cop—there’s so much more to her as a person,” she explains. Instead, she spent time with the director, dissecting every scene and understanding her character’s motivations. “We developed a whole arc for her, sat down on individual scenes and really tried to find her emotional core. It was more about understanding her journey rather than focusing on the profession itself.”
Her approach to playing this character also reflects a shift in the representation of women in cinema, particularly on streaming platforms. She believes OTT platforms have opened up avenues for more layered and complex female characters. “The writing is getting stronger, the representation is getting wider and the complexities of characters are being portrayed beautifully. That’s what it should be about,” she says. While filming Hisaab Barabar, one particular aspect of her character stayed with Kirti—the way she chooses not to carry the baggage of her past. “There’s a moment in the film where you finally realise she has lost her husband. But until that point, you don’t see her as someone burdened by grief. She is celebrating life in her own small ways,” she shares.
This aspect of the character resonated deeply with her. “It made me realise how we all go through hardships, but we don’t have to carry them with us forever. We can choose to accept things for what they are and still live a full life in the present moment,” she reflects.
Unlike some of the intense roles she has played in the past, Hisaab Barabar didn’t give the Pink star any “real chills.” The film, though dealing with a serious subject, maintains a lighthearted and engaging tone. “I understand the seriousness of the subject, but the fact that it’s being told in such a fun way meant that I never really had those intense, dramatic moments. It’s more about finding depth within that lightheartedness,” she explains.
Reminiscing about her time on set, she recalls a particularly amusing incident involving director Ashwini Chaudhary. “One day, I reached the set, and we were about to shoot a cop scene. Ashwini sir was whispering, and I asked him what happened. He told me he had lost his voice. Now, if you know him, you know he’s usually very loud! So, I joked, ‘Finally, the unit will have some relief from your booming voice.’” She laughs, adding that the entire crew, including her co-star Maddy (R. Madhavan), burst into laughter at her remark.
As for the road ahead, Kirti is excited to explore new genres and push her boundaries even further. “I’d love to do a love story, a sports film, action and even horror. There are so many sides of me that the audience hasn’t seen yet—people haven’t seen me do real action, horror, or even play a sinister character. There’s a lot left to explore and I’m just getting started,” she says. With her commitment to bringing depth to every role and her passion for storytelling, Kirti Kulhari continues to establish herself as one of the most versatile and fearless actors in the industry. And if Hisaab Barabar is any indication, she is only scratching the surface of her capabilities.
