My biggest insecurity (of being an actor) was how I look, or that I am not good enough-Arrchita Agarwaal
– By Farhad Dalal
With the success of her series ‘Despatch‘, Arrchita Agarwaal is riding on a high. In an Exclusive Interview with Farhad Dalal from Popcorn Reviewss, she talks about her series Despatch and her character Prerna.
How has the response been to your new film Despatch and your character Prerna?
This is of course Joy’s film, and look who plays Joy – Manoj goddamn Bajpayee (who essays the role of Joy in Despatch)! So it’s difficult to notice but I am amazed how people are appreciating my work, some validated my actions towards the character of Joy, which was funny. It’s good to be seen.
How easy or difficult was it to essay the character of Prerna who was dealing with her insecurities and issues of intimacy with the character of Joy (issues because she also aspired to grow in her career through her affair with Joy)?
The difficult part was meeting with that insecurity and that fear in her that makes her tick, after that everything flowed. She is new to the city and wants to get ahead but can’t settle for less either, so that fight of treading to her desires but also tightening the loose ends of her relationship felt like a natural reaction almost.
Ishani Banerjee worked with me on my background story and we started with age 4 somehow when we reached 27 years of age naturally, we reached exactly where the film starts for Prerna’s character. Intimacy again was so well protected on set by the right guidance and right voices. Everything you see between Prerna and Joy is a whole other world while we shot it, versus what the world sees in the film with the whole narrative at play.
How has your journey been as an actor?
The more you see in life the better bank it is for an actor. It’s a fragile state of an actor, to see things differently, to observe so deeply and keenly. It can make you see many truths that are hard to swallow. After waiting for many years while everyone around you buys houses, marries, and has kids, you start doubting the end to this journey or rather the journey itself.
This isn’t a corporate job where people would have an idea your promotion. But everyone can see your growth in the film industry. So all of that has been tough but I am glad I fought through.
What was it like being on the set on the very first day as an actor in your debut project?
The very first day was the scene in the hospital, on paper it was a page long scene. I thought in my head I clearly will get done in a few hours. When we started, I realized each shot was being taken 30 times, and first was Manoj sir’s scene, I asked my DOP the amazing Siddharth Diwan – if Manoj Sir’s scene is taking so long then what will happen to us. He said be prepared only for me to exclaim that this scene is fine but what about the emotionally heavy scene? He smiled for good 2 minutes and said you want me to tell you the truth? No matter which scene this is, this is the way Kanu shoots. So I went home after 14 hours 🙂
What insecurities have you faced as an actor, and how do you keep yourself motivated when things don't go your way?
My biggest insecurity was how I look, or that I am not good enough, I don’t want to sound a particular way but genuinely its spirituality and connection I feel with it. It know how to give fodder to a broken person to keep it going.
What is your process of preparing for your characters? Do you prefer to be a method actor or are you a spontaneous one?
All my life I did acting to deliver lines naturally and failed. But through Kanu Sir, I realised that before you start shooting, do all sorts of preparations to find your character l. And when on shoot, every moment is different and being present rather than trying and showing is the only way to it. Met Deepak Dobriyal during the screening and he said only an actor knows the truth of the moment and we are just getting to see that moment being captured by camera, as long as it is honest it connects. So a mix of both I guess?
How important is the role of social media in your life, given the pressures of it in showbiz?
Oh my god! The pressure is real sometimes, but sometimes I am too saint enough to care, and sometimes the fun me takes over. I do know for a lot of people, number of followers matters in terms of work and being cast too. But these are external things, when I haven’t done any substantial work I wouldn’t want to be someone that I am not for those followers.
Would you be keen to expand your horizon and branch out into other technical departments apart from acting?
I really want to direct in life, would definitely go that way someday.
What does the year 2025 have in store for you and your well-wishers?
For me I genuinely hope I can do the kind of work I have waited all my life for. I mean even if auditions open up for a start.
And for people I love, I hope everyone can find healing, emotional spiritual and physical.
