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After being a part of several hit television shows, Additi Gupta recently debuted on OTT with IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The actor plays one of the air hostesses on the captured aircraft, giving ample support to her passengers. In an exclusive interview with India Today Digital, she opened up about transitioning to the new medium, and how that has only helped her broaden her audience reach. She also talked about scenes, one with the terrorist, and the other where she had to clean an overflowing toilet.
In one of the opening scenes, her character, who’s going through a tragic breakup, looks at a passenger and calls him ‘cute’ in front of her colleague. A few moments later, she is shocked to find that the man is one of the hijackers. Many on social media called out the makers for humanising the criminal and also have him addressed as someone ‘cute’ by a woman.
When asked about the same, Additi shared, “One can find anyone cute, right? It’s fictional, but that woman did not know who he was. She was also coming out of a breakup, and it was a very normal conversation between two friends.”
As for the toilet scene, the actor called it an ‘amazing but difficult’ experience. She shared that given the entire team had to be in sync in terms of reaction, it was really tough.
“Everyone had to feel the same way, and hence it was a greater responsibility. However, it was also fun because you are in that zone completely, and the team had even designed the aircraft so real, that it felt they were actually there. As for the toilet, yes, it was super gross, but it’s also hilarious that the material used was all edible. I remember the team sending me a photo, and I was grossed out but when we started shooting, they were like, you can eat it,” she laughed.
While Additi Gupta had been missing from the promotion cycle, director Anubhav Sinha had taken time out to pen a note for her. Calling it super special, the actor said, “It was really sweet of him, and honestly, he need not have done anything. To acknowledge your actors, and their performance is a mark of a great leader. I felt indebted because it wasn’t in his hands to work on the promotion strategy.”
Having been a leading actor on television, we quizzed her on taking up character roles on OTT, and whether that caused any apprehension. “After I did my last TV show, I wanted to transition to the digital medium. I won’t lie, I was confused about taking a small part but the agenda on this medium is to keep doing good work. I also really wanted to work with Anubhav sir, and it was a great opportunity to learn from all of them. I think that’s a better takeaway than anything else. I obviously want to keep doing my best, and I hope to get better and bigger parts.”
Additi Gupta also praised her co-star Vijay Varma, stating how it’s a different experience to see him perform. She also called the Anubhav Sinha set very inclusive. On a final note, the actor mentioned how she missed performing with veterans like Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, and Manoj Pahwa, among others.
“I was only imagining the intensity and energy of the room when all of them were together. I must add that this only made me eager to work harder and bag projects where I could share screen space with them. Like any person, my expectations have increased manifold,” she concluded with a smile.
IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack is streaming on Netflix.