"Bored, sad, lonely housewife...": Nimrat Kaur on roles offered after 'The Lunchbox'
Actress Nimrat Kaur reveals why she turned down numerous roles similar to her iconic character in The Lunchbox to avoid being typecast.
Following the global phenomenon of The Lunchbox, actress Nimrat Kaur revealed that she was flooded with offers to play similar characters. Despite the success of her role as Ila, she made a conscious decision to turn down various scripts that echoed the same themes of domestic unhappiness.
Resisting the trap of typecasting
Nimrat Kaur, recognized for her standout performances in Airlift, Dasvi, Homeland, and The Family Man, spoke about the challenges of being typecast after her breakout role. She noted that after the international acclaim of The Lunchbox, she received numerous offers for roles that mirrored her character's struggles.
"I fought tooth and nail. That is not a fluke because I tried my level best," Kaur shared. She explained that between 10 to 15 projects came her way featuring variations of the same trope: a trapped housewife, someone unhappy in a marriage, or a woman looking for an escape.
The actress admitted she deliberately held out to avoid repeating a performance that she felt was uniquely beautiful. "Why would you want to touch a space like that and play the same thing again?" she questioned. Even today, she remains vigilant, stating that if she senses a script heading toward the "bored, sad, lonely housewife" territory, she is quick to decline.
The reality behind the filmography gaps
While some observers suggested that the gaps in her filmography were a calculated career move, Kaur clarified that the timing was largely due to her intense filming schedules. She explained that the period following The Lunchbox was occupied by her commitment to the series Homeland, which required six to eight months of filming, followed by a year-long production for Airlift.
She described The Lunchbox as an unexpected success that was "not in the syllabus," noting how astounded she was by the film's reach, which saw it released in approximately 75 countries after its premiere at Cannes.
The deep preparation for 'Ila'
Reflecting on her preparation for the character of Ila, Kaur detailed the physical and mental immersion required to portray the character's isolation. To capture the essence of a woman living in a quiet bubble, she underwent a significant transformation:
- Physicality: She intentionally gained weight and neglected her vanity to authentically portray the character's lifestyle.
- Attention to detail: She applied mehndi to her nails specifically for food-related close-ups.
- Atmosphere: She worked closely with art directors to set up the kitchen in a Malad apartment, ensuring she could navigate the space naturally, even while blindfolded.
Kaur mentioned that she drew inspiration from the women she observed growing up in small cities and her paternal village, aiming for a performance that was softly believable rather than aggressively prepared.
The shifting perception of identity
The actress also reflected on how the industry's perception of her changed drastically with a single role. During her time in the modeling industry, she was often told she looked "too western" to play a traditional Indian domestic woman. However, after The Lunchbox, the industry began to see her through a much more "Indian" lens.
"It's amazing how perceptions change. It takes one role," she concluded.