Actor Kalki Koechlin, widely celebrated for her breakout role in Anurag Kashyap’s DevD, recently shared an honest and candid account of the difficult phase early in her career. Despite the acclaim she garnered for her portrayal of the feisty character in DevD, Kalki found herself facing a significant lull in her professional life. She disclosed that after DevD, she didn’t secure another acting role for nearly two years, a period that she described as one of the most challenging in her career. The drought of opportunities made her question her place in the industry, leaving her wondering about the unpredictable nature of show business.
In an open conversation on After Hours with All About Eve, Kalki revealed that her next significant project after DevD was Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, which came much later. During the two-year gap between roles, Kalki did not sit idle but instead threw herself into theater. She worked on producing a play that she had won a prize for, amounting to Rs 1 lakh, which she described as one of the few avenues for creative expression during that time. This period, while tough, allowed Kalki to explore different facets of her craft and helped her maintain her connection to the world of performing arts.
However, surviving in the financial realities of the entertainment industry required Kalki to make some tough decisions. She spoke openly about how, during this time, she had to be extremely frugal and resourceful. Kalki revealed that her meals often consisted of affordable street food like vada pao, and she would commute via local trains. These choices were not only practical but necessary. She recalled how often she would be recognized by fans and the public, but people were always surprised to see her without the entourage typically associated with celebrities. "People know me and see my face and everyone is really familiar with me but then they are really surprised to see me on public transport," Kalki said. "They say, ‘How can you not be with a bodyguard?’ Like it’s this weird dichotomy where somehow I have an image which is bigger than who I really am." This disconnect between public perception and her actual lifestyle was a recurring theme that Kalki found both amusing and humbling.
Reflecting on the early days of her career, Kalki mentioned that she had been forced to take on certain jobs purely for financial survival. These included corporate events where her presence was essentially a transaction—her public persona was leveraged for monetary gain. She admitted that at the time, she had no choice but to take on these gigs, even if they didn’t necessarily align with her artistic interests. "The corporate events were transactional. They would want me for my image, and I would get paid for being there. It was more about the money and the exposure at the time," she said. These events, while not fulfilling in an artistic sense, played an important role in helping her survive financially during the difficult period when her acting career had not yet picked up.
Over the years, Kalki's approach to her career has evolved. Having experienced the ups and downs, she has become more discerning about the roles she takes on. Kalki expressed how she has learned to be more selective and thoughtful about the projects she chooses, now prioritizing work that aligns with her artistic goals and values, rather than accepting anything that comes her way simply to make ends meet. This shift is reflective of her growth as an actor and a professional, as she now seeks out projects that challenge her creatively and allow her to explore more meaningful roles. Kalki also mentioned that the early struggles shaped her into the actor she is today, helping her develop resilience and a more grounded perspective on the industry.
Her candid reflections on her early career challenges offer a refreshing and relatable perspective on the pressures and realities of working in a competitive industry. Kalki’s journey highlights how important persistence, self-awareness, and adaptability are in navigating the unpredictable and often unforgiving world of show business. Despite the tough times she faced, Kalki’s career has gone on to flourish, and she continues to remain one of the most versatile and respected actors in Indian cinema, unafraid to speak her truth and embrace the complexities of her journey.
