A woman with a purpose
Like the character she played in the newly released blockbuster Laapataa Ladies, she is reserved. Pathankot, Punjab native Rachna Gupta gained notoriety for her portrayal of Poonam, a young mother who lives with her in-laws in the fictitious state of Nirmal Pradesh while her spouse is gone on business. Poonam never opens her lips, to the point that the main character asks whether she’s capable of speaking until she does! She does, however, emote, and pretty well.
“Although I was a member of the Dramatics Club, Aaghaaz, at DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh, I am originally from Pathankot. I had a particular interest in theater, and we used to participate in youth festivals. We used to visit Mumbai often,” she confides about her early years.
On one such occasion, she received hearty applause from renowned director-actor Piyush Mishra after a performance on stage. “I finished a three-year diploma program from the National School of Drama in New Delhi with a specialization in acting after he encouraged me to pursue performing further. 2018 saw my passing, after which I ventured into the entertainment industry.
Rachna has made many appearances on television and over-the-top channels. She is gradually making a name for herself, from playing Panna in Main Kuch Bhi Kar Sakti Hun Season 3 to Ikjot in Love at Fifth Floor, Paahi in Aarya 2, and Paahi in the movie Laapataa Ladies. In addition, Rachna is linked to Feroz Abbas Khan’s Broadway-style musical Mughal E Azam, in which she plays Suraiya. We have performed this musical in several nations, to great acclaim. There will soon be another tour planned,” she says with a smile.
Rachna enjoyed taking on the role of a six-year-old kid in the theatrical picture Laapataa Ladies, which was directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan Productions. “It was quite challenging initially, but later I adapted and loved his company,” she said. Playing a loving mother while exploring the feelings of a woman yearning for her husband’s attention was challenging, but she finds it enjoyable.
In fact, every child working on the sets really enjoyed themselves while filming different scenes in the charming location. We were able to perform to the best of our abilities because Kiran Rao ma’am was so supportive and allowed us to be ourselves on film, she continues.
She continues, citing yet another difficulty: “It was a mountain to climb, but I managed to gain weight for the job to look the part. It was a struggle to learn the accent and diction as well, but after a few courses, we were all perfect.
Personally speaking
What is her favored media in this OTT era? “The large screen is the best option available. I’ll always prefer viewing movies in theaters since I like doing it. That being said, Rachna states, “I don’t mind doing roles on OTT and television as long as the part is substantial.” Regarding her recollections of Chandigarh, she says, “Whenever I visit City Beautiful, I always make time to visit Sector 17 and indulge in the delicious’softie’ there.” Despite all the shopping centers in the city, there is nothing like the vast expanses this location offers. I also enjoyed my undergraduate days when traveling the well-known Geri route.
What advice would you provide someone looking to join the entertainment industry? “Once you’ve made up your mind on a certain route in life, ignore the obstacles and concentrate only on it. The remainder will come,” she concludes.
