Actress Pooja Bhamrrah is riding on the success of Netflix thriller, Kohrra Season 2, which also stars Barun Sobti and Mona Singh, in the lead roles.
In a recent interview with Moneycontrol.com, Pooja talked about the emotional and mental preparation she underwent for the gripping sequel. She got candid about stepping into the haunting world of Kohrra 2 as Preet Bajwa and shooting intense sequences. She dubbed the ‘murder scene’ as the most challenging and credited her Amrit Pal for the flawless execution.
She also told Moneycontrol that it was fun to work with Barun and Mona, and ‘fabulous’ to share screen space with Rannvijay Singha. She also got nostalgic while talking about her debut series, Broken But Beautiful.
She also described the current phase of her career as ‘blooming’. She admitted that there are ups and downs but it is still blooming. She also recounted how she landed on the role of Preet.
While talking about her next project, Pooja said that she wants to explore a strong female lead like Mardaani.
Excerpts from the exclusive interview:
Question: Kohrra 2 has already created buzz among audiences. What excited you the most about coming on board for this season?
Pooja Bhamrrah: There were many reasons. Actually, the makers of the show are known to give one excellent show after the other. They are the pioneers in the industry, as you see right now. Right from Patal Lok to Udta Punjab. Kaurava first season and now this.
That was one really, really exciting factor to get on board. And the second was because of the character, of course.
When I read the script and when I read the scenes, there was no way I could have denied this. There was no way I could have said no.
Ques: What was the most difficult part of playing Preet Bajwa in Kohrra 2?
Pooja: I am a Sikhni, so I speak Punjabi at home. Speaking Punjabi was the least of my concerns. It's my mother tongue. But the challenge, of course, was to embody Preet and to really go through the character arc and live it fully.
The murder scene was very tough. That was the first time that I actually worked with an action director. That was new. I think more than challenging, it was just an extremely joyful experience. These are the kind of projects that actors really dream of. And I'm so glad I got it.
Ques: Kohrra is known for its intense storytelling and rooted performances. How did you prepare emotionally and mentally for this gritty world?
Pooja: A lot of preparation was done in the workshop. We had our acting coach, Nitin Goyal, who helped us tap into the character, tap into the inner world of the character. We just had to surrender to him and then build up from there on. And then it was to remember the inner world of Preet and be on set with that.
And set to be the atmosphere that the makers of the show made sure that is maintained. It was just incredible.
When the makers of the show just make it so easy for you…
One, a good, well-written script. Second, workshops with a fabulous acting coach. Third, the captain of the ship makes sure that the atmosphere on the set is just appropriate.
As actors, what is your job? All you have to do is just be truthful to what has been given to you. That's all. Our job becomes so easy.
Ques: Did you get to meet Barun Sobti and Mona Singh during the shoot?
Pooja: Yes. Although we don't have scenes together because I'm a dead body by the time they come in. But I got to chat with them very briefly after…, in between scenes. And the first time they saw me with my prosthetics and everything, I'm like, oh my God! They were very shocked. And, yeah, it was fun.
The little bit off-screen that I could chat with them. It was fun.
They're phenomenal actors, both of them. And Mona is on a winning streak.
Barun is just so… I mean, he transforms. You're not seeing Barun on screen. You're seeing Amarpal Garundi on screen. Amarpal Garundi fighting his demons, fighting his past. That's what you're seeing.
It was just incredible, incredible to, yeah, chat with them.
Ques: How was it shooting with Rannvijay Singha?
Pooja: Fabulous.
When you grow up watching Roadies, and then one fine day, you get to actually work with them. I'm not just working, I'm playing his wife. It was surreal in the beginning. Because when we met for the look test, I had to pinch myself and say, is this really happening? That was fun. The look test was really fun.
Because we had to get our wedding photos clicked. That would go in the Bajwa house. So that was a lot of fun. And on set, our scene is quite intense.
The confrontation scene is really out there. It makes both of us to almost… I'm literally clawing at him. And then the way he slaps me!
The fact that he found it so difficult, the slapping bit, just speaks volumes about the kind of true gentleman that he is. He is indeed a true gentleman and a great actor. So committed. That it was just a matter of great delight to work with him.
Ques: What was the most challenging scene for you to shoot in Kohrra 2?
Pooja: The climax scene. Most challenging, yeah. Because like I said, action director, the murder scene.
I think marna on-screen bahut mushkil hai. Bahut zyada mushkil hai. Jis tarike se mujhe maara bhi gaya tha, toh main ek tarike se gir rahi hoon, toh mujhe girna nahi aara tha. Toh usse hi maine kahi baar rehearsal ki [I think dying on-screen is very difficult. Very difficult. The way I was killed, I was falling in a way I didn't know how to fall. So I rehearsed that a few times].
It was important that it looked natural. It looked like I was pushed from a long distance. That's what acting is... how can you show someone that, even if you don't actually do it, that, no, it actually happened... You forget at a point.
At least the kind of reviews that I'm reading on social media is that you forget that these are actors. You won't even think it's acting. These characters are actually alive. They are somewhere in Punjab. If you go there, you can see them living there.
It’s that kind of world and that kind of craft that everybody's brought to the table.
Ques: OTT platforms have opened up diverse roles for actors. How do you see your journey evolving in the digital space?
Pooja: It's pretty good. it's going pretty good. Last year was a little tough. It is on the low that you really need to. That is when all your belief in yourself, your belief in do not worry you just keep your head down and keep doing what you're doing.
That belief is so important. And I think also because I have a great support system. I think I'm blessed. I'm God's child. I truly believe in that because I have support from. I have my family, I have my sister, I have my husband and they're all very supportive and encouraging of my work.
I've had a fabulous journey and I know for a fact that it is only going to get better. Enjoying it and learning each day is important, I feel.
Ques: What kind of roles are you consciously looking to explore next?
Pooja: Honestly, as much as possible, I want to work. If I were to choose, I think really strong women-centric, that kind of role, like Mardaani. It is a very strong woman, very strong character.
Something on these lines, like complex, for example, or even what Mona is playing. Such a beautiful character. She's strong, but yet she's vulnerable. I think somehow somewhere all actors want to do that, I feel, if you get a character who is strong but at the same time vulnerable.
I had recently tested for a few cop roles, which I was really looking forward to, but yeah, it unfortunately didn't work out.
Ques: Is there any role that you have said ‘no’ to?
Pooja: No. I didn't. In fact, recently I said no to a project. It was a beautiful project, but it had a rape scene, and I was not in it, and I knew the kind of commitment and dedication that role would have required, but in life, I wasn't in that headspace.
Unfortunately, I had to, but honestly, I don't think I say no a lot. I do the work that comes my way. Maybe that time will come when I get to choose. But right now, the work that's coming is good. Fortunately, it's coming, it's supposed to be. So, I don't say no a lot.
Ques: What advice would you give to newcomers while navigating auditions and opportunities?
Pooja: I think right now is such a brilliant time, even for newcomers, because every casting director, most of the casting directors, are easily available. It's not the casting directors themselves, for example, Mukesh Chhabra may not be easily available, but his assistants are.
These days, every office has an open introduction day. You can go there and meet their team, you can give introductions. It's very important for a newcomer to do his or her own homework. Don't expect that you will reach Bombay, and then we will see how it goes.
No bro, you have to do your homework first. Who are the casting directors? Who is doing what work? Who has casted what? Which casting offices are there? Where are they? These days, the casting assistants' numbers are so easily available.
Instagram is the hub. These days, most of the casting offices have Instagram pages.
How did I get to know about Kohrra’s audition? Through Instagram. A friend told me that they are looking for a Punjabi girl. It was on Nikita's Instagram page.
You have to keep your eyes and ears open. And then you need that much smartness these days. And that's my advice to all the newcomers who are wanting to start out.
If you focus on the craft, that's a different conversation but also, do your homework thoroughly.
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