Actress-producer Chitrangda Singh and actor Jim Sarbh were part of an interactive session titled ‘Umasking the character actors’ at the 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2018. Singh has acted in only a few films in a career of 15 years. She was part of the supporting cast in Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 (2018), but beyond this film, it’s hard to recollect Singh in any other character role.
Singh was last seen in Baazaar (2016) that failed to get going at the box office, while Sarbh played Malik Kafur in Padmaavat (2018).
The term ‘character actor’ is no longer appreciated as actors just prefer being called artistes. As was strongly stated by Sarbh, who did most of the talking.
It has been a mystery why a gorgeous actress, who showed much promise with her maiden film Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2005), vanished for the next few years. Her last two films have been anything but impressive.
“Because of the numbers of years that have gone, the comeback and the time that I have taken in between, you do suffer a little bit. This place definitely has a short memory. You are taking a six year break and it definitely tells on your work,” said Singh.
Time lost cannot be regained, but Singh has no regrets as such with the way her career has panned out so far and she is hopeful of getting that one career breakthrough role.
“As actors, we are always greedy. We always think there is something better waiting for us, but having said that I think at the same time, I have too much to be thankful for. The little bit of work that I have done, the fact that I am here…people sort of acknowledge that and I have people still loving the work that I have done. I’m quite happy where I am right now. But I’m waiting.” added the Baazaar (2018) actress.
Singh was asked whether there were times when she saw others on screen and wished that she could have done a better job.
“Most of the times when you go and watch a film, as an actor you often imagine that had you done this role, then you would have done things this way. There were so many good films. Khoya Khoya Chand (2007) by Sudhir Mishra was written for me, but I wasn’t around at that point of time. It would have been nice to be part of that film,” said Singh.