Acting abroad doesn't count as work experience in India: Nimrat
Mumbai: Acting in Hollywood is often seen as a career boost but Nimrat Kaur says her stint in the West isn't counted as work experience in India.
Despite having appeared in two American shows "Homeland" and "Wayward Pines", Nimrat said an actor is only talked about in the country when he/she is doing films here.
"I have worked abroad but that doesn't really translate here as work experience, so I am just two films old.
How you are remembered in India is by the films that you are doing here," the actor told PTI.
"The work that I am doing abroad is relatable and recognised by a handful of audience, or say a niche audience who watch shows that have Indian actors," she said.
After being part of two hit films, "The Lunchbox" and "Airlift", the 35-year-old actor is making her debut on the digital platform with a web series titled "The Test Case".
Describing this web series as a big opportunity for her as an actor, Nimrat said it was a "no brainer" for her to give a nod to this project.
"I was sure the story will be told with utmost passion and truth. It is a great opportunity and it would have been silly on my part to let go it."
Nimrat's father was an Indian Army officer and as she has grown up in cantonment areas, it was sort of a natural habitat for her.
"Many a times the set did not seem like a set. I felt it was an environment that I remember. Wearing the uniform was a childhood dream. And for the first time in my life, putting up a costume did not feel like a costume, it was a surreal experience to put the uniform," she said.
"I don't think I could have asked for more special experience as an actor in this juncture in my life. I feel blessed to be playing this part," the actor said.
"The Test Case", traces the story of India's first woman combat officer, who struggles to carve out her own identity in the male-dominated arena.
Considering that the plotline of the series is new, the actor believes she has a major advantage as an actor to play the part of an Army officer.
Nimrat said the reason why female actors are not seen doing roles of Army officers on screen is because in real life too there are not many women in this profession.
"I think 90-95 per cent of the Army is male-dominated.
That tells us about the number of women entering into the Army," she said.
"Also, I can't recall films being made on Army or about war front here, while in Hollywood you see a massive strength of movies being made on army, soldier or war," she added.
"The Test Case", backed by Ekta Kapoor, returns after a gap of about nine months.
The web series, which released its first episode reportedly in April last year, was shelved amid rumours of creative differences between Kapoor and director Nagesh Kukunoor.
However, Kapoor cleared the air saying the series has peen pushed ahead due to budget issues.
Nimrat said when the series went off air, she was deeply saddened and disappointed.
"I understood that there were factors and circumstances which were not in our control. The monsoon had hit and we couldn't shoot because of that and some other reasons. Most of our work was outdoor and once we knew monsoon was over we were on the floors again," she said
The series also features actors Atul Kulkarni, Rahul Dev and Annup Sonii. It will stream on ALTBalaji app from January 26.
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Allu Arjun didn't leave theatre despite being told about woman's death: Hyderabad police
Hyderabad, Dec 22: Top Telugu actor Allu Arjun did not leave the theatre during the screening of 'Pushpa-2' on December 4 despite being told to do so in view of a stampede in which a woman died, police officials claimed on on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference on the annual round-up of 2024, city police commissioner C V Anand showed a video, made by police, on the situation that prevailed when the stampede occurred.
The video was made by collating footage, including from news channels and cell phone clips. It suggests the actor remained in the theatre till the midnight.
Anand did not make any comment on the video, but said the media can draw its own conclusions.
A police official talked about the sequence of events on the fateful night of December 4.
He said that he and other police officials informed a manager of Allu Arjun about the death of the woman and told him that the situation was out of control. He indicated that they were not allowed to meet the actor.
Allu Arjun's staff members told them that they would convey the matter to the actor but did not do so, he said.
The official said he later managed to reach the actor, told him about the woman's death and asked him to leave the theatre so that the fans don't harm each other while trying to catch a glimpse of him.
The official also told the actor that security arrangements would be made for his exit.
However, the actor said he would go only after watching the film, the police official said.
Later, accompanied by a senior officer, the official went inside and brought the actor out, he said.
Amid allegations that bouncers hired by Allu Arjun pushed crowds as well as policemen when the stampede occurred at the cinema hall, the police commissioner warned that stringent action as per law would be taken if THE bouncers indeed misbehaved with the police on duty.
The VIPs would be made responsible for the behaviour of the bouncers hired by them, he said.
Asked if the police would appeal against the interim bail granted to Allu Arjun, the commissioner refused to give a direct response, just saying it is part of the investigation.
What course of action is taken would be known in the days to come, he said.
He also declined to comment when asked if the family of the deceased told him about Allu Arjun's team or film production team allegedly threatening them not to speak on the issue.
Meanwhile, state Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy found fault with Allu Arjun responding on Saturday to the debate in the Legislative Assembly.
The minister, who observed that the actor should have respect for the government and the chief minister, demanded an apology from Allu Arjun to the government and the CM.
"This government is never vindictive. As Cinematography Minister, we allowed benefit shows and hiking ticket prices to promote the film industry," he said.
However, Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar found fault with CM Revanth Reddy for his comments on Allu Arjun in the Assembly on Saturday.
The comments of the CM sounded like character assassination of Allu Arjun and hurting the Telugu film industry, he alleged in a statement.
Later in the day, Sanjay Kumar visited a boy who is undergoing treatment in a hospital after being injured in the stampede.
"Consoled his father over the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Revathi. I pray to god that Sritej recovers at the earliest. Assured support to the family in this difficult time," Kumar said on X.
Earlier in the day, state DGP Jitender told reporters in Karimnagar district that film personalities and all others should understand that safety and security of citizens is utmost important, and also conduct themselves accordingly.
