Filmmakers should bet on actors too, not just stars: Hasleen Kaur

Hasleen Kaur, who portrayed a cop in the web show CAT, says producers and distributors need to bet on actors, more than stars. “Honestly, it’s mostly stars whose films make it to theaters,” she says talking to us on her Chandigarh visit to meet her parents. She adds, “I come from a non-filmy background (her dad is a retired Army officer), with no one handholding me and it’s a long struggle for those like me in this industry. But distributors and producers should be willing to bet on us. After all, who knew Vikrant Massey is going to be one of the most appreciated actors in this country.”

Hasleen, who is making her international debut with an action film directed by a Canadian filmmaker, says her role in CAT got her the attention. “My character as an action performing cop, landed me this Canadian film by the director who is very clued into Bollywood. In fact, he also roped in Parmish Verma, who plays a singer in this dark film that is based on drugs, mafia and gangsters. I am doing a lot of Hollywood style action in it, trained by an expert who directed stunts in Wolverine, Aquaman etc.,” she says.

Tracing her journey from a beauty queen as Miss India Earth 2011 to a de-glamourous cop in CAT, it didn’t bother her. “I am not a makeup person, and believe beauty is best portrayed in your natural self. Even on my wedding I wore minimal makeup. For essaying the cop in the show, we had to go sans makeup to keep as real as possible,” she says.

Hasleen, who is doing two more web shows, including one with Barun Sobti is happy about being offered different roles. “I am glad people put me in these roles, whether it is CAT or playing Ranbir Kapoor’s sister in Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar. Glamming-up comes easy, but to de-glam is tough.”

Having done two Bollywood films, Hasleen is ready for more. “Though the long form of OTT is helping me showcase more of my work, the street side kind of fame that Bollywood brings is different,” she says, adding, “Content has changed drastically, and audiences are the full spectrum now. As an actor I want to do it all except nudity and bold roles are not my thing. I’ve done a bikini ramp walk and calendar shoot as a beauty pageant contestant, but I am not comfortable portraying that on screen.”

Married for five years, Hasleen attributes her growth as an artiste to her spouse. “I stepped into marriage when everyone said I was rushing into it,” she says, adding, “I’m willing to balance it out, I feel love fuels me and I perform better because the domestic portion of my life is sorted. I am not the person who focusses on her career single mindedly and is willing to stay single for it. I want to go back home to someone. I keep oscillating between Chandigarh, Delhi (to her in-laws) and Mumbai, as I can’t stay away from my unit for long, they give me power.”