Rukhsar Rehman| The actor who played Amara Gujral in Voot’s The Gone Game, speaks with Shalini Saksena about why she said yes to the role, the mantra that keeps her going and upcoming projects

How did you get into acting at such an early age?

A friend of my father had a film magazine. He asked my father why he didn’t let me act for a role. My father said no. He told my father that it was all clean. There was a bit of back and forth. My father agreed and I was in.

What made you say to The Gone Game?

There was a unique factor. Due to the pandemic, everyone was shooting from home. The good thing was that the story was such that it was possible to do the same. This got me interested. Also, the story was well-written. Of course, my family stepped in, my husband and daughter helped a lot. It was not just about shooting but setting up the place, acting and then sending the footage to the makers. I don’t think I would have been able to manage all this on my own.

I understand that this is your debut with the web series. What was the attraction of venturing into digital space?

Actually, I had done a web series called Haq Se in 2018, a take-off on Little Women based in Kashmir that streamed on ALTBalaji app. But The Gone Game made more noise, hence people think that this is my debut web series. I have been saying this for long, in films, there is a female antagonist and not many powerful roles are being written for women. But of late, in Indian web series, a lot of good roles are being written for women of all ages. This has drawn me to it. Then things end in a time-bound manner which is good.

Why can’t we replicate good content in TV and films?

I think that every maker has a set of ideas. They are of the opinion that if they are making films, it has to be of a certain kind, if it is a web series, it has to be of a certain kind. Having said this, cinema has wider reach and old-age charm to it even if TV and web series are viewed by more people.

You have done TV, films and stage shows. Where are you most comfortable?

I am most comfortable when I am on the stage; when I am doing plays. That is where I am at my best.

What lesson should we take away from this pandemic?

While there is a huge lesson to take away but unfortunately, nobody is willing to make changes in their lives. There is a need to unite and walk forward as one. While there is bound to be jealousy, there is a need to move away from this. We need to be more health conscious as well. I have learnt that material things don’t give you peace or happiness.

Is there a mantra that has kept you going in the industry?

I enjoy my work. Whenever a project comes my way that I know I will love doing, I take it up and it keeps me going. I know that this is my career, this is what I do.

Is there a character that you loved playing?

I loved playing the role in Sarkar (2005). I played Amrita (Vishnu’s wife). I loved doing D-Underworld and PK. All the three characters I played were so different from each other.

Is there a genre that you like to explore?

There is comedy. Most people think that I can’t pull it off. But I know that I can be good at it. I would love to play a comic role and also a character in period drama.

What are your future plans?

There is another web series. But it got postponed. But hopefully we will start shooting in November.