How did Reecha Sharma become Uma?
Just before the release of Highway, I heard that Tsering was looking for an actor for Uma. He’s in my directors’ wish list and I’ve always wanted to work with him. However, he wasn’t convinced that I would be suitable. But he changed his mind after a private screening of Highway.[break]
Bijay Gajmer
What was filming Uma like?
We shot the film during a winter in a village in Kavre. It was a closed camp, so all the actors were easily available. We retired early to bed as we usually shot in the early morning. After wrapping up the shoot for the day, we would then discuss the schedule for the next day.
How did you feel about your character before and after the shooting?
It was an amazing journey. Initially, it was difficult for me to get into the character but then I met with women who’ve been in similar situations. The fact that Uma is a Maoist guerilla was a completely new experience/role for me. However, there were little details that I held on to, for instance, Dhangadi is my hometown and that’s where the Maoist revolution started. My father wanted me to become a nurse, and in the film, Uma’s mother wants the same for her.
And how is the character itself?
Uma is a very strong lady. To bring her character to life, I had to wear simple kurtas, sported a no makeup look and braided my hair. I was Uma even after wrapping up for the day. The crew would address me as Uma Didi. But when I saw myself onscreen during the recording, I couldn’t relate to the character.
How was it working with Tsering?
He’s a very positive and encouraging director. He knows what he wants from his actors. He would never complain, but had a unique way of getting what he wanted.
What further projects do you have in hand?
I have no concrete projects right now. I’ve been approached by filmmakers saying they’ve actually been writing a script keeping me in mind: for example, a bitchy politician. I’ve also had an offer to do another Maoist character. People typecast you here and that’s why I like to challenge myself with a variety of roles.
What kind of work do you want to do?
The films I do have to be either commercial or critical hits. Otherwise what’s the difference you have made in the industry? My ultimate goal is to be remembered as an actor and, my films should be special for the audience. I want to give 100 percent to what I’m doing. Audiences are very clever now. We can’t cheat them.
What advice do you have for aspiring actors today?
Come with passion, not just for fun or out of a desire to be seen on screen. Patience is also required in this field because there’s so much rejection and failure and pain. I’m talking about the rejection from the audiences and that really hurts.
So does that open up opportunities for you, or is the competition more heated?
There’s always competition but it’s better that there are more of us than just a handful. At least for the industry’s sake. You wouldn’t want to watch the same actors again and again. People need change.
Do you agree that it’s happening now? That the same crop of actors is doing a lot of work?
Yes, I think there are actors who are repeatedly being seen in a lot of films. That’s the reason why we need more actors in the industry.
(By Pramila Rai)
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