Khufiya actor Navnindra Behl: ‘I played Lalita as a simple, ordinary woman who has ambitions and wants more from life’

Navnindra Behl (right) with Wamiqa Gabbi in a still from the Vishal Bhardwaj film 'Khufiya', on Netflix.

In Vishal Bhardwaj’s recently-released Khufiya on Netflix, Tabu, as always, is the scene-stealer. But the audience were also left intrigued by the actor playing Lalita, also known as Maa ji who proved to be quite an intriguing character in the spy thriller. If she seemed familiar, it is because the 73-year-old Navnindra Behl has also made her presence felt in movies such as Maachis (1996), Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! (2008) and Mukti Bhawan (2016), among others. Owing to her father Kapoor Singh Ghuman being a playwright, Behl started her career as a child artist on stage at the age of 2 and went on to teach theatre at Punjabi University, Patiala. Together with her actor-husband, the late Lalit Behl, the Mumbai-based actor wrote, directed, produced and acted in television serials and films starting from the late 1980s. Edited excerpts from an interview:

What was your reaction when you were approached for this role?

When I was approached, I didn’t know what the script or the subject matter was. I have known Vishal Bhardwaj since 1996. He had seen my shows on television and showed them to Gulzar Saab who called me personally to play a role in his film Maachis (1996). When Vishal called to say that he has written a script and he is thinking of me for the role of the mother, I told him I will do whatever the role is. I didn’t have to think twice about it. I went for the audition and everything fell into place.

What are your thoughts on your character Lalita? Did you think she was a negative character or someone with grey shades? How much did Vishal Bhardwaj help you in setting the tone of the character?

I think she had her grey shades as well as some positive traits. I would say it is a human character. I thought she is a simple, ordinary woman who has ambitions and wants more from life. I approached it in that manner and took one scene as it came.

I insisted that Vishal help me because I wasn’t sure I was approaching it the right way. He would laugh and say, ‘you are doing it so well, who am I to say anything?’ I could make out by his expressions whether he is happy with the scene or not.

Vishal Bhardwaj (left), Ali Fazal and Navnindra Behl on the sets of 'Khufiya'. (Image: Courtesy of Netflix © 2023)

You have worked earlier with Vishal in the series Gubaare in 1999. How was your experience then and how was it now?

I was completely at home with him. He is the same person he was even at that time when he was much recognised and did not have a film to his credit. Now he is established and a star director but he remains the same, simple and kind person who loves his actors. I wanted to say no to him for the film as I wasn’t too well at the time but he told me not to worry and that they will keep a doctor on the sets for me. He called me after so many years for a role; that says something about him.

This is your debut in the OTT space. You have worked in theatre, television and films for so many years. How different does this feel?

My husband Lalit and I used to work for television. He would produce and direct and I would write. We were also actors so we would often cast ourselves. There was only one channel Doordarshan at the time which would stream in the entire country. For one of our programmes, we received three lakh letters! Now that the film is on an OTT platform, I am getting appreciative messages from around the world. As theatre people, we performed in front of hundreds, then with television it increased to crores of Indians and now OTT has given us a larger audience and satisfaction of reaching out to so many people.

Your husband was a trained actor from the National School of Drama. How was it to collaborate with him?

We complimented each other. He was a great artist and I was in awe of him. When it came to work, we were equals and would discuss everything. He was a bundle of ideas and I was the executor.

Navnindra Behl (left) with her onscreen son played by Ali Fazal in 'Khufiya'. (Image: Courtesy of Netflix © 2023)

Among other things, Khufiya is also about the relationship Lalita shares with her son Ravi (played by Ali Fazal) who listens to her advice. Your real-life son Kanu Behl is also a filmmaker (Titli; Agra, which will screen at the forthcoming Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival) to his credit. Do you discuss work with him and give him inputs?

We do discuss but he is his own person and he knows how to deal with his subjects and knows where it is coming from. When the script is done, I read it. Even if he doesn't want to, I ask him for it (smiles). During Titli (2013), I would sit at the editing table but I never interfered.

What’s next for you?

I have worked a lot; now I need to relax a little. If something interesting comes up which makes me feel I should definitely do this, then I will take it up.