Kriti Kharbanda’s next film Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana promotes the Central Government’s initiative – Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana. The actress, while promoting the movie, says that theirs is an effort to contribute to society’s aim of giving girls a better future and life. “We want to make sure that we too contribute to the cause,” she says. Directed by Ratna Sinha, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana also stars Rajkummar Rao. It’s produced by Vinod Bachchan and presented by Deepak Mukut and Soham Rockstar Entertainment.
This year, most film releases have been based in small cities. Talking about the reason to base Shaadi...in Lucknow, she says, “We chose to base it in Lucknow because there are many aspirants for civil services from this belt. Those with a good government job are also considered best bet in marriage market too. We wanted to highlight this aspect,” explains Kriti.
She goes on to add that the makers want everyone to connect with the story because marriage and relationships are a common factor that we all share.
Kriti says that she could relate with her character (Aarti) and enjoyed playing her too. “I loved the fact that how imperfectly perfect Aarti is. She reminded me so much of myself, and other girls too – emotional yet so strong, delicate and sophisticated. If you look at all the working women in the country, they never complain. They wake up early, send their kids to school, complete household chores and go to work but they never complain. These women are so strong, a fact that they forget. Aarti was a reminder that it’s possible to have a dream and that you are allowed to live it,” she adds.
Talking about her co-star, Rajkummar, whom she romances in the film, Kriti says, “There is no denying that he is a great actor. But he is an equally great co-actor too. I haven’t met someone who is so supportive of his co-stars; he is available to give inputs. We have spent a lot of time together trying to get into the skin of the characters. I love the fact that he is open to criticism and ideas. It was a smooth ride working with him.”
Each one of us has our own definition of ‘shaadi or marriage’. Ask Kriti what’s her definition, and she replies, “I believe in companionship. At the end of the day, I don’t want a husband, but a partner who will treat me as an equal. That’s my definition of a relationship too.”
“I know a lot of couples who treat each other equally, including my parents. They are very supportive of each other’s decisions. Having said that, marriage is a term that used to work before. But not anymore. Our generation, including me, shies away from the term marriage and being married to a person. I don’t mind committing to a person ever,” she adds.
The Pink actress says that commitment isn’t just between a boy and girl, but could be between any relationships.
“It could be between a father and son or a mother and daughter. The idea is to be able to give 100 percent to the other person. It’s not always a husband or man who will be your soul mate. You can find your soul mate in your friend. That’s the reason I don’t believe in marriage.”
Has celebrity status has contributed to her idea of marriage? “No. I was this crazy girl who was crazy about marriage. When I was in my teens and people asked what I wanted to do in life, I would reply, ‘I want to get married and have kids’. When I turned 25, I realised that I was running behind idea of marriage. It was whole drama and looking beautiful that excited me. I do not want to demean people who believe in the idea of marriage. If the companionship leads to marriage, great. If it it doesn’t, it will not ruin anything for me,” she says before signing off.