Actor Kaajal Kunder
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Kaajal Kunder is a Mangalurean, born and brought up in Navi Mumbai. She moved to Bengaluru six months ago to further her career in Kannada films. The actor is awaiting the release of the film, Bili Chukki Halli Hakki, where she plays a character named Kavita.Written and directed by Mahesh Gowda, the film, says Kaajal, speaks of vitiligo, without being preachy. “The film does not aim at creating awareness about the skin condition. Instead, it deals with the emotional state and challenges a person with vitiligo goes through and how it affects the people connected to them. The film’s director, Mahesh, who plays the lead, has this skin condition.” Kaajal started her career with small roles on television, including Har Har Mahadev. She found her footing in Kannada cinema with Maya Kannadi, KTM with Deekshith Shetty and Pepe with Vinay Rajkumar. In Bili Chukki Halli Hakki, Kaajal says, she plays a simple, yet mature character. “Kavita is an introvert, she is neither vocal or expressive. I was drawn to this character and also believe the concept of the film is unique.” Kaajal is a trained Bharatanatyam dancer. “I enjoy all forms of dance — from Bollywood to folk and everything in between. I nurtured a dream of acting since childhood and started giving auditions as soon as I started college. That is how my acting journey began, with one small role at a time.”Having lived in Mumbai all her life, Kaajal’s first challenge as an actor in Kannada cinema was to master Kannada. “I was new to Bengaluru and navigating it was overwhelming. The journey is never easy, specifically for women. In retrospect, I feel that the struggle was necessary for my personal growth. These are the experiences I lean on to build my on-screen characters.”As an artiste, Kaajal believes, the way to prove her mettle is by giving her best shot to every role. “I have been lucky that all the characters I play have been strong women. The credit for this goes to the writers and directors.” Her work in theatre in Mumbai was also a help, Kaajal says. “During my school and college days, my stage performances boosted my confidence and nudged me towards taking acting seriously.”Cinema for Kaajal is a medium to portray powerful characters. “I wish to explore every kind of role that will in themselves tell a story. There is an audience for every kind of film.” Describing her role in Pepe as challenging, Kaajal says, “I am just the opposite of my loud, onscreen character, in real life. My role in Bili chukki…, playing a character who bottles up all her feelings, was a challenge.”In most of her films Kaajal has donned a natural look. “My only concern is to look like the character I portray. In Bili chukki… I play a rural girl. If I unnecessarily deck up my face, I will not be doing justice to the role or the story. I go with what the story demands and not worry about make-up.”Most of her roles, Kaajal says have been de-glamorised. “I am okay with that. A film has to connect with the audience and be rooted in the culture while finding new ways to interpret or present a story.”Somewhere along the way, Kaajal says, we are forgetting our roots and trying to create larger-than-life characters. “Technology and a big canvas works for films such as Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva. If the same is force fitted to another story, it kills the cinematic experience.” Published – January 13, 2025 01:35 pm IST