“I am happy to step out of my comfort zone and play a negative character,” says Soha Ali Khan, who’s set to play the antagonist in the upcoming film Chhorii 2, which is slated for release on Amazon Prime Video later this year.
The project, a sequel to Chhorii (2021), has Nushrratt Bharuccha yet again in the lead role. Khan, who has joined the cast, is excited to explore her dark side for the first time in the horror film that offers a profound message. “The film deals with the horrors of being a woman in India—from being a foetus to being victims of abuse, rape and exploitation. There are also places where sati still takes place or dowry deaths continue to occur. The film spotlights one of those social evils. My character is a perpetrator of this crime,” she highlights.
It’s quite a departure from her other roles, but the confidence of her director, producers, and family reassured her of stepping outside her comfort zone. “My daughter, Inaya, and husband, Kunal (Khemu), also supported my decision. They said they can see me playing a slightly negative and mean character, probably because I am the strict and more disciplinarian parent at home,” she laughs.
It was no easy feat to prepare for the role. Besides getting the costumes right, Khan had to work on her accent and diction in a short span. “The character has a rural accent, so we had to spend time with a diction coach. The look was equally important because Vishal (Furia) was particular about what he wanted. We tried different clothes and makeup since there are many avatars I had to pull off in the film,” she says.
Khan reveals that the most challenging was the one that required prosthetics and a mask that had to be sculpted to the face. “I thought having a face mask was going to be a comfortable experience, so I took a book and a cup of tea along. But it was one of the most claustrophobic experiences of my life, where they cover you completely in plaster of Paris, with just little openings for your nostrils to breathe.”
Khan enjoyed working with the cast, most of whom knew each other from the first instalment. She recalls feeling like a “new girl in school” who didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes. “Everyone made me feel comfortable on set. I worked with Nushrratt for the first time, and it was great fun. She’s a phenomenal actor and very hardworking.”
Khan has been conscious of taking on more work lately after taking a break for a few years to raise Inaya. But as her child is growing up, getting back to work seemed like a natural course for the ‘Rang De Basanti’ actress.
“She (Inaya) is now six and has a sense of self. She’s old enough for me to step away and focus on things I want to do for myself, not just for my husband, daughter, or family. I have personal ambitions and things I want to pursue as a professional,” she explains.
Unlike earlier, women in their 40s are getting meatier roles that create impact, believes Khan. She, too, represents such characters on screen without her age being a handicap. “There are so many diverse roles for people from different gender backgrounds, urban or rural setups, professions, and more. That also gave me the confidence that I can focus on parenting, and when I decide to come back to work, there will be something for me, and I won’t be unemployed.”
“Until a decade ago, women in their 40s would be written off because there were no roles except being the hero’s mother. Today, there’s also more female representation behind the camera, including cinematographers and sound engineers,” she adds.
However, Khan admits that juggling her personal and professional life was only possible because of a solid support system. “Kunal is around when I am at work and vice versa. We fill in for each other and delegate responsibilities. We also have a great nanny and family members who can babysit. It helps a woman achieve her professional dreams because it’s tough to do when you are alone,” she reiterates.
Khan is clear that she wants to be present for her family whenever they need her. Whether it’s a premiere of Khemu’s film, an important narration, or Inaya’s school concerts or gymnastic competitions, she doesn’t want to miss any of it.
“I try to work my calendar around these things. Luckily, people are far more organised today in the entertainment world. So you get your schedule in advance and have some time off as well,” she adds.
“Inaya is also understanding and supportive of my work. She’s of an age where she understands that I have my dreams, that it’s important for me to earn my own income, and all of that will help her to achieve her dreams as well,” concludes Khan.
ELLE India Editor: Ainee Nizami Ahmedi; Videographer: Akshay Pawar; Photographer: Sahil Behal; Stylist: Arzoo Nagraik from Team E; Asst. Art Director: Sanjana Suvarna; Words by: Geetika Sachdev; Bookings Coordinator: Anushka Patil; Hair: Bharti Chavan; Makeup: Arjun Bundela; Production: Cutloose Productions; Artist Management: Samruddhi Mhatre; Styling assistants: Krisha Dedhia, Harshi Shah.
