To start with, I never really had a passion for acting: Kani reflects on her journey
In an engaging roundtable discussion organised by The Hollywood Reporter India, chaired by Anupama Chopra, seven of India's finest acting talents—Shabana Azmi, Pratik Gandhi, Kani Kusruti, Anna Ben, Rajkummar Rao, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Vicky Kaushal—shared insights into their journeys in the entertainment industry.
Among the participants, Kani Kusruti, known for her role alongside Divya Prabha in Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light, spoke candidly about her evolution as an actor. Kani has quickly emerged as a creative force in the cinematic world over the past few years. Her performance in All We Imagine As Light has earned considerable recognition, particularly with the film’s recent nomination in two categories at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards. Payal Kapadia's debut fiction feature also made history earlier this year, as it became the first Indian film to win the prestigious Grand Prix at Cannes.
Reflecting on her journey, Kani explained, "To begin with, I never really had the passion to be an actor during my childhood. Especially, coming from a conservative place like Kerala, the possibilities were always limited. My parents encouraged me to try acting when an opportunity arose in my youth, which led me to join a play. I started finding the experience fascinating from then on," the actor shared.
Over the years, Kani has skillfully portrayed a range of impeccable characters on both stage and screen. Her notable works include her roles in the controversial Malayalam film Biriyaani and the Hindi web series Killer Soup.
Continuing her reflections during the roundtable, Kani emphasised the importance of the educational institutions that shaped her career. "It took me years to fall in love with acting, and the schools I’ve been part of played a major role in this, especially Venu G’s classes and Adisakti, the experiences have contributed greatly to the actor I am today," she shared.
On a lighter note, Kani also acknowledged her hardworking nature, stating, "I am more of a hard-working actor above anything else. Sometimes, I feel that I might have been a better doctor than an actor."
Throughout the discussion, each actor provided valuable insights into their personal and professional experiences, creating an enriching dialogue for cinephiles. The roundtable conversation was a testament to the diverse journeys that these talented actors have embarked upon in the ever-evolving world of Indian cinema. (With inputs from Agencies)