Actress Kalki Koechlin recently revealed that despite the critical success of “Dev.D,” she faced intense scrutiny, felt “ugly,” and struggled to find work for two years after her debut.
The Unexpected Aftermath of “Dev.D”
Kalki Koechlin’s debut as Chanda in Anurag Kashyap’s “Dev.D” earned her critical acclaim. However, the period following its release brought unexpected challenges, deeply impacting her self-esteem.
She shared that intense online scrutiny made her feel “ugly.” Despite looking back now and realizing she was in her prime, comments about her appearance, like her teeth, led her to doubt herself.
Preparing for Chanda: A Unique Approach
Before filming, director Anurag Kashyap gave Kalki specific advice: avoid watching previous “Devdas” adaptations. He wanted her performance as Chanda to be fresh, free from any preconceived notions.
Kalki, who hadn’t seen the older films, found this approach beneficial. She believes it protected her from the pressure of matching up to iconic portrayals by actresses like Madhuri Dixit or Suchitra Sen.
The Slow Burn: No Immediate Offers
Contrary to popular belief, “Dev.D” wasn’t an overnight blockbuster for Kalki. It slowly gained cult classic status, largely thanks to Amit Trivedi’s popular music.
Surprisingly, Kalki didn’t land any film roles for two years after “Dev.D.” During this period, she focused on co-writing and performing her play, “The Skeleton Woman,” traveling across the country. It took several films and considerable time for her to truly establish herself in the industry.
Facing Industry Pressures and Misconceptions
Kalki also recounted disturbing early encounters with casting directors and producers. She was advised to cut and dye her hair black for item numbers and even subtly pressured about Botox for “laughter lines.”
One journalist mistakenly labeled her a “Russian model” who had just done a film, despite her being born in Auroville. These comments highlighted the superficiality and lack of research prevalent in parts of the industry.
The Enduring Challenge of Typecasting
Even after building a diverse filmography, Kalki continues to face typecasting. Following roles in “Made in Heaven” and “Gully Boy,” she found herself primarily offered “home breaker” or “affair girl” roles.
Similarly, after her performance in “Margarita with a Straw,” she was repeatedly offered roles portraying disabilities. Kalki has learned to navigate this industry pattern, understanding that audiences often remember actors for their most recent significant work, requiring continuous reinvention.
- Kalki felt “ugly” due to scrutiny after her critically acclaimed debut in “Dev.D.”
- She had no film work for two years post-“Dev.D,” focusing on theater instead.
- Industry figures made inappropriate suggestions about her appearance and typecast her based on past roles.
Kalki’s journey highlights the personal and professional hurdles actors can face, even after a groundbreaking debut, in an industry often focused on superficiality and quick labels.
Actress Kalki Koechlin recently revealed that despite the critical success of “Dev.D,” she faced intense scrutiny, felt “ugly,” and struggled to find work for two years after her debut.
The Unexpected Aftermath of “Dev.D”
Kalki Koechlin’s debut as Chanda in Anurag Kashyap’s “Dev.D” earned her critical acclaim. However, the period following its release brought unexpected challenges, deeply impacting her self-esteem.
She shared that intense online scrutiny made her feel “ugly.” Despite looking back now and realizing she was in her prime, comments about her appearance, like her teeth, led her to doubt herself.
Preparing for Chanda: A Unique Approach
Before filming, director Anurag Kashyap gave Kalki specific advice: avoid watching previous “Devdas” adaptations. He wanted her performance as Chanda to be fresh, free from any preconceived notions.
Kalki, who hadn’t seen the older films, found this approach beneficial. She believes it protected her from the pressure of matching up to iconic portrayals by actresses like Madhuri Dixit or Suchitra Sen.
The Slow Burn: No Immediate Offers
Contrary to popular belief, “Dev.D” wasn’t an overnight blockbuster for Kalki. It slowly gained cult classic status, largely thanks to Amit Trivedi’s popular music.
Surprisingly, Kalki didn’t land any film roles for two years after “Dev.D.” During this period, she focused on co-writing and performing her play, “The Skeleton Woman,” traveling across the country. It took several films and considerable time for her to truly establish herself in the industry.
Facing Industry Pressures and Misconceptions
Kalki also recounted disturbing early encounters with casting directors and producers. She was advised to cut and dye her hair black for item numbers and even subtly pressured about Botox for “laughter lines.”
One journalist mistakenly labeled her a “Russian model” who had just done a film, despite her being born in Auroville. These comments highlighted the superficiality and lack of research prevalent in parts of the industry.
The Enduring Challenge of Typecasting
Even after building a diverse filmography, Kalki continues to face typecasting. Following roles in “Made in Heaven” and “Gully Boy,” she found herself primarily offered “home breaker” or “affair girl” roles.
Similarly, after her performance in “Margarita with a Straw,” she was repeatedly offered roles portraying disabilities. Kalki has learned to navigate this industry pattern, understanding that audiences often remember actors for their most recent significant work, requiring continuous reinvention.
- Kalki felt “ugly” due to scrutiny after her critically acclaimed debut in “Dev.D.”
- She had no film work for two years post-“Dev.D,” focusing on theater instead.
- Industry figures made inappropriate suggestions about her appearance and typecast her based on past roles.
Kalki’s journey highlights the personal and professional hurdles actors can face, even after a groundbreaking debut, in an industry often focused on superficiality and quick labels.
