Kalki Koechlin – French by descent, English by theatre training and a complete desi at heart. This ethereal, angelic beauty is as unconventional as a Bollywood actor can be.

Her choice of films is individualistic too. Each of Dev D, Shaitaan, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and That Girl In Yellow Boots has further reinforced her standing as the one of the brightest young actors to watch out for. Her on-screen portrayals have ranged from gritty to bitchy, but in real life, Kalki is one cool, independent girl. We caught up with this bright talent of indie Indian cinema on the eve of the release of her latest film That Girl In Yellow Boots, for which she is performing a dual of the lead actor and the writer. Here is a peek into the mind of Bollywood’s thinking man’s girl.

What is your current state of mind?
I am nervous and excited, but mostly I am happy that my film That Girl In Yellow Boots has finally released.

There is this image of Kalki, the intellectual, a thinking man's girl, a flower child. Possibly an image built thanks to your genes, your perception in the media and your work on screen and stage. How much of it is true and how much of it is just that, an image?
To be honest, I don't see myself as an intellectual. If you ask any of my friends they will tell you how silly I can be. I try not to take myself too seriously. But at the same time, I love my work and I love questioning and improving myself. Too often, we waste our lives worrying about what other people think of us and we end up following other people’s opinions. I believe in finding things out for myself, having my own opinion and making my own mistakes.   

For a moment there, I almost believed you . So were you always like this – this independent, ‘let me make my own mistakes’ girl? What were the growing up experiences that shaped you?
I grew up in a small town and went to boarding school from the age of six right up till I was 18. I think both these things made me independent. I learnt to be on my own and also because we had no Internet and no TV, I learnt to use my imagination and live with other people rather than live in a virtual world, as we tend to do in cities. Books and friends were more important than chatlines and TV serials.

How did your parents react to this independent streak in you? Sometimes, they can really screw you up!
The best thing my parents did for me was not help me find myself. They did not force their beliefs on me, they let me discover things for myself. They waited till I asked the question instead of lecturing me. This made me curious and helped me search for my own answers. I am also fortunate to have friends who have always kept me grounded by telling me the truth, even when it was painful.

You grew up in Pondicherry, Bangalore, London and now, Mumbai. How has each of these places shaped you?
Pondi is actually only a town I was born in. I did not live there much. It was Ooty where I went to school that was much more influential in my life. I spent weekends trekking, camping, cycling, swimming, reading in the library or hanging out in the girls dormitory talking about boys. Bangalore was my introduction to parties and teenage life. I used to hang out with friends in coffee shops. I discovered Friends, the TV show, went to rock concerts, discovered clothes and music and make up.

London was my most testing time. I was alone, away from home, studying full-time and working weekends to support myself. It was a lot of responsibility that came all at once but it made me strong and humble. I realised that nothing is free and that whatever work you do, you should do it whole-heartedly or not at all. I also discovered that the tax system is purposefully overcomplicated so that we don't question the governing power and where our money goes!

Mumbai is still shaping me. Here, I learnt true friends are the ones who tell you the truth. I've learnt there are very few things that cannot be resolved with a smile or a hug and I have also made a conscious effort to stop judging people because I don't know what they have been through in life.

This may sound a bit corny, but if I were to ask you what is your personal quest?
Well, I would say, to be better than I was yesterday.

Coming to movies, you have both written and acted in That Girl in Yellow Boots. How did the movie come about?
Anurag (Kashyap) narrated me the idea that he had built in his head over the years. He wanted the writing to be from a women’s perspective and shared it with me so that I write it.

He insisted that I try writing it and since I had the time, I took it up as a challenge.

And has the movie shaped up as you had expected?
Yes and no. I think, the essence of the story remains in tact. We feel the gut wrenching outcome but I always feel I could have improved on the details. I feel like that about all my work.

I really felt it was very well detailed. Now, the film has some provocative and dark elements… Do you think Indian audience has evolved to accept such subjects?
I think we have always had an audience for this kind of cinema. It is just not a very big audience and now that we are creating more independent cinema I think the audience is growing.

On a more serious note, since this is the underlying theme of the film, what are your feelings when it comes to law and child abuse in India?
The problem is that the law exists but it is difficult to uphold because of repression and the way we like to sweep things under the carpet. A law cannot stand on its own. It needs the society's support.

What steps would you recommend to protect children from abuse?
We need to speak out about child abuse so that others find the confidence to speak out about it. We need social support, a place where one can talk about their abuse through say a phone line or a social welfare centre. Making films about it is one small part of opening up people’s minds.

Coming to your inner world, how would you describe your relationship to writing and performing?
Performing is my first love. I am very passionate about it and constantly want to improve myself and explore deeper, but also vary myself and constantly surprise myself with my work. As a writer, I feel I have a long way to go. I am a lazy writer. I write when inspiration 'falls' upon me, when I'm bothered by something or when I am forced to write. I don't have the inner discipline to write regularly.

I think that pretty much defines a writer. (Laughs)

And how did you get introduced to acting and performing arts?
I always loved acting, I acted in the school nativity play at Christmas when I was nine; I wanted to be an angel but they cast me as a sheep. In school, I was always part of the extracurricular drama and creative writing clubs. When I realised I could take it up as a 'real subject' by going to study it in university, I was ecstatic and determined.

While writing is a very internal forms of expression, acting seemingly (since I've no clue about acting) is an externalised form... How do you straddle these two worlds? Or are creative people inherently schizo?
On the contrary, I think acting is very internal. Yes, it shows on your face but actors of substance make you cry and laugh with them and make you believe they are for real. In order to do that, actors have to feel the characters from inside. I do think both writing and acting deal with a mental and emotional exploration, pushing your imagination to limits and trying to get into the head of another person. So naturally there is a tendency to explore different personalities but essentially it is imagination and not a reality that we put ourselves through. For example, you can imagine a junkie and try to think like a junkie but that doesn't mean you do lots of drugs and become a junkie.

And what do you draw your inspiration from in your creative endeavours?
Everything. Mostly, observation. I am constantly observing people, old people, beggars, drivers, socialites. It is amazing how much you can learn through simple observation. Other than that, research and lots of homework, whether it be reading, watching movies, interviewing people or real life experiences. There's no limit to knowledge and knowledge inspires imagination.
 
Now, the biggie, what does cinema mean to you?
Cinema is worlds, thoughts, emotions, created to broaden our understanding of life and human nature. Cinema is modern day literature. I have been inspired by movies all
my life. They helped me dream and they also showed me reality or opened my eyes to things I never knew. I loved that I could maybe stir others, make them fight for things, believe in things.

What was the first film you saw?
The first film that I remember seeing was Hook, the Peter Pan film.

Who are your role models? How have they influenced you and your choices?
There are many actors who inspire me. When I was young it was Julia Roberts. In the field of theatre I was very inspired by Robert Lepage, Simon McBurny, Ariane Mouchkine and in films by Juliette Binoche, Kate Winslet, Jodie Foster, Daniel Day Lewis, Smita Patil, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, even Priyanka Chopra of late. There's an endless list of people who keep challenging their limits and they all inspire me to not have barriers and constantly challenge myself.

What role does cinema play in a society? Do you believe that cinema has some social obligations/responsibilities?
Cinema is a reflection of our times and our society. It speaks for us, challenges us and is always relevant to society. Cinema's only responsibility is to stay true to a story.

And what is the role of an artist in a society?
To tell the truth.

What are your thoughts on today's Hindi cinema? The good and the bad, both...
The good is that we have had a history of great cinema and we have hundreds of amazing original stories to tell, which in recent years people have begun to do. The bad is that Hindi cinema has become a business and hence formula films are regurgitated and rehashed to procure box office hits.

Finally, films you believe every youngster should see...
Mirch Masala, Pyaasa, Les Enfants Du Paradis, Contact, Udaan, Un Air de Famille, Les 400 Coups, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Salaam Bombay, Pulp Fiction. Then take a break and watch Pretty Woman.