Kubbra Sait stands out as a true advocate for embracing one’s uniqueness and constantly evolving. With a career spanning both Bollywood and the global stage, she has made her mark not only as a talented actress but also as a voice of positivity and authenticity. In an exclusive interview with ELLE India, Sait shares her thoughts on life, the entertainment industry, and her journey of self-discovery.
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“There is a line I read many years ago that has stuck with me. ‘In the race to uniqueness, there is no finish line’. I’ve tried my best to find other things to keep me at the top of my game, but I feel this line resonates the most with me.” The Sacred Games actor sees life as a continuous process of learning and unlearning, a sentiment that resonates with her evolving perspective on the entertainment industry. She points out that the shift in narratives from traditional love stories to more relatable and realistic portrayals of relationships illustrates how storytelling mirrors societal changes. “Today, when you see Karan Johar making a film, say, Rocky Rani, you look at conversations that are far more relatable and real. We’ve started recognising more characters than the hero and the villain. Today, you have the demarcation of morally grey characters. I think this is quite incredible, to be a part of their change and to be able to portray human emotions without being afraid, and for me, this is evolution.”
The actress also highlights the industry’s growth on the global stage, citing the Oscar-winning RRR (2022) and her own experiences representing the industry internationally as examples. “The amalgamation of North, South, East, and West, and building this as a community opens up many more stories. In the last five years, we weren’t even bothered to see the last Bengali or Marathi film that came out. However, we will achieve so much more in the next ten years because everyone has so much more access to information.”
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A few moments that Sait cherishes in her career? “One was when I won a Dadasaheb Phalke trophy in the first year of Sacred Games. Two was being part of Foundation because it never occurred to me what a big deal it was until much later. Three was when I won an award at the first-ever lit fest in Bengaluru. I was also pretty happy about winning an award for my first book, Open Book.”
Sait’s fashion sense has garnered admiration from many, and she describes her style as experimental and enjoyable. She finds inspiration in Ranveer Singh, “One word to describe my fashion is enjoyment; seeing Ranveer Singh comfortable in his own skin just gives me so much passion to enjoy fashion.”
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Kubbra’s advocacy for mental health awareness is unwavering. “I see my therapist. I’m not shy about this. I also don’t miss two days in a row when it comes to mobility. I need to move my body. A healthy mind resides in a healthy body.” She believes that discipline and consistency are the keys to mental and physical health, surpassing mere motivation.
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When asked about the books that have had a profound impact on her, she goes on to say,“Especially in moments of adversity, humankind does come together. People attract themselves to news of doom more than news of joy. Still, if we put collective humanity through effective non-samples of life given real-time situations, we would realise that humanity would always stand for each other because we believe in community building. I love books that speak to you, like Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, a book by Yuval Noah Harari. It’s a book about anthropology and geology, reassuring you of how amazing human beings are. It tells you people are fundamentally good. Truly inspirational. I also cannot forget to include my own work; I have written a book called Open Book–a must-read,” she smiles.
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Beyond the professional sphere, Sait leads a life full of adventure and exploration. Her work and life boundaries are balanced and defined. She tells us what she does to unwind: “Let me tell you what I don’t do because I do everything. I don’t try to get back into work and rut. I solo travel around the world, not like a #wanderlust type of thing, but genuinely going off and doing things. I raft rivers, climb mountains, and go diving. I have a specific list of things to do throughout my work calendar: one adventure trip, one new country, and one place to return to and unwind every year.” Sait also enjoys spending time with her cats, Master Shifu and Sexy, nurturing bonds as unique as the felines themselves.
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Sait’s journey is an inspiring testament to the power of embracing one’s uniqueness and evolving in an ever-changing world. She continues to captivate audiences with her talent, while her commitment to self-improvement serves as a beacon of positivity. As for upcoming projects, the author remains tightlipped but hints at an exciting year ahead. She believes the entertainment industry will continue offering thrilling opportunities for trailblazing artists like herself.
ELLE: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when we say?
My go-to snack: Bhakarwadi
My cat, Master Shifu, is always: Grumpy
If I could have dinner with any historical figure, I would choose: Indira Gandhi
The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done is: Bungee jumping in Macao
My secret talent that not many people know about is that: I can clap with one hand
The top three items on my bucket list are: Rafting Brahmaputra, a backpacking trip in South America, going back to dive in the Great Barrier Reef
The best book I’ve ever read is: My own book, titled Open Book.
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Also read, Ankush Bahuguna On Beauty, Breaking Gender Norms And Juggling Between Genres
