Priya Bapat: Every onscreen role makes you less judgemental as a person

Priya Bapat likes watching intense content but absolutely loves slice-of-life films and series. So, when the chance to be part of a genre she loves came her way with

Raat Jawaan Hai

, she was all-in. “Khyati (Anand Puthran), who is the writer of the show, is a close friend of mine. She had told me that she had me in mind while writing a character for the show. A few months later, she got back when she had a team on board and I tested for the role of Suman,” Priya tells us, adding that she was excited about being directed by Sumeet Vyas too. In a chat with us, the actress also speaks about getting good roles, backlash that some characters get, parenting and more. Excerpts:
‘Getting good roles is a boon’
While she has worked extensively in Marathi films and is currently also doing a Marathi play,

Jar Tar Chi Goshta

, Priya hasn’t been part of a Marathi film since 2018. That said, she has been getting acclaim for her roles in Hindi projects. “I don’t think things or roles come your way as you want them to. As actor, you choose from what is offered to you,” she says, adding, “But I like the fact that I am getting to play diverse and interesting roles in Hindi projects too. Be it the politician in

City of Dreams

or the unapologetic woman who put her happiness first in

Visfot

, or the non-confrontational Suman in Raat Jawaan Hai, these are roles that weren’t planned. I consider getting good roles a boon.”

‘Romcoms and slice-of-life are my go-to genres’
The City of Dreams actress isn’t averse to watching intense content, but she has clear favourite genres if given a choice. “Although I like watching intense content, my go-to genres are slice-of-life and romcoms. Why do we need major conflicts in life?” she laughs, adding, “When Harry Met Sally, P.S. I Love You, Notting Hill – these are films that I can watch and rewatch any day. There is romance, drama, twists, comedy and so much more in them. I also love Emily in Paris.”

‘Parenting is not just about giving birth to a child’
While playing parent to a kid in her recent web show, Priya drew references from the fantastic parents that she knows in real life, including her sister Shweta. “Life changes after you have a kid. Parenting is not just about giving birth to a child. It’s also about giving a deep thought to whether you are ready to give the next 20-odd years of your life to raising the child. It’s challenging, but it also has its perks.” Ask her if she has given a thought to parenthood and Priya replies, “I haven’t. Like I said, if and when I have the answer to whether I am ready to raise a person for the next 20 years, I will consider parenthood.”

About working on Raat Jawaan Hai…
One of the reasons Priya was keen on doing Raat Jawaan Hai was the genre. “Apart from the Marathi web show Aani Kay Hava, I haven’t really explored the slice-of-life genre. So, it was exciting to get to do that,” says Priya, adding, “Raat Jawaan Hai clicked with viewers because of its relatability factor.” The actress adds that working on the show was like a breath of fresh air. “Everyone on the set was so comfortable. When Barun Sobti, Anjali Anand and I were finalised for the show, we did a vibe check and instantly clicked. There was no baggage, everyone was themselves on the set. I feel it’s very important to have a talented team that also get along,” she adds.

‘We need to look at every role maturely’
The actress has faced her share of backlash for some of the roles she essayed onscreen, but she tells us that the backlash does not affect her much. “I got some backlash for my role in Visfot too. But I don’t think about it now. We need to look at things maturely. If I constantly think about how a character will be received and whether there will be backlash, I will not be able to play different roles,” says Priya. She says that it’s all about portraying a different person onscreen for her. The actress adds, “I think with every character, you understand a different point of view. That eventually leads you to become less judgemental about life and people in general and helps you grow. The only takeaway should be how you can learn and evolve through them.”