When we talk about Kubbra Sait, we do not see her as an actress but what we notice is her hunger and desire to deliver quality work. That is one reason why Kubbra was unaffected by the one-scene blink or commercial roles she kept getting in films before Sacred Games happened. Having become a household name in the digital space with her work across different platforms including Netflix, Zee5, AltBalaji, Kubbra feels that she is very open to fall and rise just like a river that keeps flowing regardless of what happens around it.

In an exclusive interview with The Statesman, Kubbra talks about her latest period drama The Verdict – State vs Nanavati and the perspective of a woman that revolves around it.

Excerpts:

Making your debut in period drama, tell us your first-hand experience.

I was really excited about the project as it was my first project after Sacred Games. I only had an imaginative idea of what the time would have been but the minute I started settling into those shoes, it just sombre me. For me, the greatest challenge was to restrain myself from being subjective. Considering the case, I wanted to open up on the matter and fight my own case, but I could not say it because women then were never allowed to speak as they were dependent on the patriarchy that existed. It was always about the man’s point of view. So, for me, the character was more of that in terms of period. But, what was also exciting were those outfits, big hairs, gloves, etc that made me look so different.

People always target women as we have seen in The Verdict also, what do you think about it?

I don’t think they target women but it’s been the preconceived notion that men are superior to women. The patriarchy primarily began because the men were earning and the women were co-dependent. But then over a period of time, people have evolved to be equal learning members. The economic division and perception of that society have changed. It has changed for the better. But it also takes time for people to understand. It is like a small spark with a tiny flame. You give some time, and it will turn into fire.

What sort of roles do you want to do in future? Is there any particular genre you want to try?

I always wanted to portray Anjali’s role from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai during my school days. For me, I was a mirror image to Anjali and that was the best thing that has ever happened to humanity. But then, I realised that over the years, sensibility and the charm of cinema has changed. Now, we have so many different genres to work on.

Now, I am really hooked on to western dramas, Psychological thrillers and similar genres. I would also love to portray a single woman’s narrative.

What are your upcoming projects?

Now, I have Jawaani Jaaneman and Alankrita Shrivastava’s Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare coming up where I will be seen as Shazia who is quite crazy and impulsive in nature.

Describe your journey after Sacred Games?

For me, I draw attention to myself after Sacred Games. I thought I need to do more such roles and I am extremely blessed. The last one year has been hectic. I worked on The Verdict, Jawaani Jaaneman, RejctX which is on zee5, and several storytelling projects. Now I just hope the force is with me and we keep moving forward. It seems like a brand new journey for me.