"The colour of my skin limits my roles in Bollywood."
In a candid statement, Kalki Koechlin said she believes her skin colour impacts her roles in the film industry.
Kalki made her film debut in Dev D (2009). She has since appeared in commercially successful and critically acclaimed movies.
These include Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) and Yeh Jawani Hai Deewaani (2013).
Kalki is set to appear in Goldfish. The film is set to release on September 1, 2023.
It marks Kalki’s comeback to the big screen after four years. She was last seen in Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy (2019).
In Goldfish, Kalki will star alongside veteran actress Deepti Naval. The film is a mother-daughter saga. Kalki plays a daughter whose mother suffers from dementia.
While promoting the film, Kalki opened up about her industry struggles.
She said that Goldfish provided the right role for her as she is often judged by the colour of her skin:
“Goldfish was special because complex, layered, sensitive and funny scripts like that are rare to come by.
“Anyway, there are few roles for someone like me in the industry, since the colour of my skin limits my roles in Bollywood.
“This being about the identity of a half-Indian, half-Britisher was something I knew I was cut out for.”
Kalki further elaborated about working with Deepti, who has starred in classics including Chashme Buddoor (1981) and Katha (1982).
The Dev D actress praised her brilliance:
“It was a pleasure to work with Deepti Ji, she is quiet and yet so brilliant and surprising.
“I was always kept on my toes as she would come up with something on the spot and I’d have to react to it.
“I loved working with her.”
Kalki is no stranger to openly voicing her opinions. She has previously spoken about her experiences with sexual abuse.
Kalki’s former husband, producer Anurag Kashyap is a presenter for Goldfish.
The film also stars a variety of talented actors including Bharti Patel, Ravi Ganatra and Shanaya Raafat.
Goldfish promises to be a stirring drama of delicate love. It is an ode to the power and resilience of people suffering from dementia.
Kalki Koechlin revealed that she has personal experience with the illness. Hence, her role did not require her to do much research:
“It didn’t take me much to research for this role because I’ve known somebody with dementia – it is part of my personal experience.”
“I’ve known someone close to me suffering from dementia.”
“So when I read the role, I thought here’s my chance to interpret something that I’ve known closely.”
Goldfish is directed by Pushan Kripalani. Kalki Koechlin stars as Anamika Fields, while Deepti Naval plays Sadhana Tripathi.
Watch the trailer of Goldfish:
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