Yami Gautam: My family got emotional that it took me almost 10 years to get this kind of role in ‘A Thursday’ – Exclusive – Times of India

Actress Yami Gautam is riding high on the success of her recently released film ‘A Thursday’. She played an intense character in the film and left the audience mighty impressed with her performance. She was seen in a never seen before avatar. Recently, ETimes caught up in an exclusive conversation with the woman of the moment and spoke about the success of her film. She also revealed why her family got emotional after watching her in the film. She also spilled the beans on its sequel and collaborating with NGOs supporting rape victims. Excerpts:

The film has received a fabulous response. The audience is actually surprised to see you playing such an intense role. How does it feel to see the praise coming your way and also to successfully surpass everyone’s expectations?Thank you so much! It’s feeling really good. We’re very overwhelmed. I said this before, this was a small film, but maybe with the right intention. And we were very passionate to bring the story forward and make a film with the utmost sincerity and I think that is what people caught on to. That’s the sentiment which people, I think, really connected with, and I would give a huge round of thank you and gratitude to the audience for making this happen because it was not something which was spoken so much, or not publicised so much or marketed so much. It was not that kind of film. But it’s the people who made it big, and unforgettable for us and they’ve really spelt it out loud that even if you don’t have the biggest of budgeted films or biggest marketing plans, etc or some of the biggest critics praising you, you can still survive and hold on well, so I’m very happy about it.

Now that the film is being appreciated by the audience, can we expect a sequel anytime soon?If only I was the producer of the film (laughs).

Was there any discussion with the director?No, we didn’t have any conversation like this at all as we were focused on what we were making. It was not just like a project for us, we were very into the film and gave everything to each and every frame. I remember because I’ve of course shot the film and I know every day, what every day on that set would look like or feel like. So, no, this was never anything to do with a sequel or something, that conversation was never there.

But did you have any second thoughts before taking up the film? Because your fans have always seen you doing roles that are happy-go-lucky types except ‘Uri’. So were there any apprehensions?


Not at all,
bilkul bhi nahi. I think fans and audiences want to see what we can do as an actor, how do you keep shifting your gears as an actor. If they see, at least I’m sure people who watch my work, they would want to see me rather in different roles, diverse roles every time. Because I come from that background. I want to do that. Yes, there was a time where probably I must have been stuck in a bracket, but that time is long gone now. And today, I stand at a place where thankfully I have certain opportunities where I could totally explore, and to put it out there the kind of performance-oriented roles that I want to do and filmmakers can have faith in me. The audience can have faith in me. I didn’t have an iota of doubt also. Because I think whatever part you do… and even if in future, there is a role, which is out and out negative, if that story works for me when I read it as an actor, as an audience, I’ll do it. And I think if it’s done, rightly, people will also accept it. Because that will not have anything to do with me, Yami, as a person. So it was very important for me to come out of this and to wait for that role and that part. I think the shift started happening with ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’, happened with ‘Bala’ in a very different way where there was comedy and, again, the way that character takes a turn, and yes with ‘A Thursday’, it was like a total 360-degree shift.

How has the family reacted after watching you in an intense character?They loved it and they got very emotional. I remember emotional, by not just what the film was about, but the fact that it took me almost 10 years to get this kind of role and to do something, to do this kind of performance, to get an opportunity like this, it took me so long. So they got a little emotional, thinking about the journey and everything that one goes through. So that was a very sweet, emotional family moment. I will remember that.

Recently, you collaborated with two NGOs to support in your own way…I think when it comes to issues concerning the safety of women, this is something which I’m sure, at the heart of our hearts, we all have thought about, right? At some point or the other. This was the time, I think, through this film, especially through ‘A Thursday’, through Naina, that I got a chance to collaborate with the NGOs. I was looking for an opportunity or a platform where I could lend my support, which shouldn’t be just restricted to till the film is on or till the time ‘A Thursday’ conversation is on because if something moves you that should be regardless of anything if you want to do. I was doing a lot of research, a lot of homework, you want to make sure that the NGOs that you’re working with, they’re very authentic, and they’re genuinely doing good work, whether in terms of educating them, empowering them, helping them with the legal fee, and a lot of such things, making women more and more aware and the whole idea is not to make anyone feel that you are not a part of the society or this place you move in at all, not at all. They are as much one as any of us and we want to just make sure that in whatever capacity we can, you don’t have to be just an actor or a public figure to do that. It is not just one person’s responsibility… whatever we can do to make this a better and more secure place when it comes to human safety. I think it’s a privilege for me to be doing something like this. I don’t think I can give out anything, it’s that kind of sentiment where it’s a matter of pride and privilege for me to be doing something with them rather than for them. Nothing is bigger than the cause, no name is bigger than the cause.