Kirti Kulhari on turning producer: It is always nice to put yourself out there, break stereotypes and get empowered – Exclusive – Times of India

You have joined the bandwagon of actresses who have turned producers. How has your experience been so far?
I am absolutely loving it and I am enjoying playing this part. There are still a lot of things I have to learn but I think I am quite cut out for it. I think I have an aptitude for being a producer and a good one at that. I am learning a lot of things along the way. Patience and perseverance have always been my funda in life. I have applied them in my life as an actor and now that I am doing something new, this is again my mantra.

I am glad I have branched out in this part of filmmaking because the way I am growing as a person and as an actor, I had to find more to do. And becoming a producer has given me exactly that. So I am super excited.

Unlike earlier, production is no longer a male-dominated field. Has it empowered you more or did you face any challenges in the beginning?
It is actually true. It has empowered me a lot. The times are changing and you can really see and feel that. What comes to my rescue when I put myself out there is my reputation as an actor and the fact that I am a thinking actor and I bring more to the table. I add value to the projects that I pick up. I believe my reputation precedes me. Yes, initially there are conversations like, ‘Are you sure?’ or ‘Can you do this?’ People want to know if you are just another actress turning producer just because you can. You can sense all these things in the air when you start. But soon enough it gets clear and people take you seriously. I am having an interesting time on this journey. It is always nice to put yourself out there, break stereotypes and get empowered.

You have been a part of some gritty, hard-hitting subjects in the last few years. Has that been a conscious decision?
It is always a conscious decision. I think you give out a certain vibe as an actor. You find your own path. And while you make your choices, the world is also figuring you out with the kind of work you are doing. After a point, people just know that this is what you are looking for and this is what you are good at. You become more confident about your choices.

So it has been a conscious decision and it comes from the understanding of myself that I have as an actor. I am an actor and a producer and I want to make a difference. I want to talk about things that matter to me and a lot of people out there. I am just acting as a medium. That is pretty much the only way I know how to do it.

On the personal front, your fans have been getting to see a different side of you, especially on social media. Tell us something about it – what kind of reactions have you been getting from your fans?
I am pleasantly surprised and fascinated by these different sides of me which are popping up in my life. I am just following my heart. It is like the world is my oyster and I can pretty much choose to follow my heart in whichever way I want to. The universe is out there supporting it. The recent escapades were an addition to my life. It is something that I never thought about. I don’t even know how I could turn into this person who would get a bike home and go on a bike trip. Things are just happening and I am just going with the flow.

I am not limiting or defining myself. These things just let you be. It helps take life as it comes. That is exactly what I am doing. It is as simple as that. I am becoming a person who is simplifying life. All this is a manifestation of that, I feel. The reactions of my fans have been heartwarming. They have been very encouraging. They have been people who have supported me and are with me throughout. They are also loving this different side of me.

What does the second half of 2022 have in store for Kriti?
I have ‘Four More Shots Please 3’ releasing any time now. We don’t have a confirmed date. I have my maiden venture ‘Nayeka’ in post-production. Let’s see if this will be released this year or early next year. I also have a couple of feature films that I will start work on. I can’t talk about them yet. Apart from these, a lot of travelling is on the cards in the second half of my 2022.