The unfazed Kirti Kulhari
-Lifestyle Food Magazine
From Seerat Kaur in Uri: The Surgical Strike to Neha Siddiqui in Mission Mangal to Falak Ali in Pink, Kirti Kulhari captures our hearts the moment she appears on the screen. The epitome of gracefulness and elegance, Kirti is not just an exemplary actress, she is empowered and down to earth as well. Also, she follows a simple and natural lifestyle. Read on to get a glimpse of Kirti’s perspective on movies, environmental and societal issues, and much more.
Kirti was born and brought up in Mumbai. Her family hails from Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan. After post-graduating with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, she made her acting debut in an Odia film Dharini in 2002. Kulhari began her film acting career with Khichdi: The Movie. With more than 1 million Instagram followers, she is a celebrity idol to a lot of the Millenials and Gen X alike.
“We must not forget that we’re stronger than these circumstances and we shall come through this too. Just stay strong!”
- Do you think films like Pink, Shaitan, Uri: The Surgical Strike and Mission Mangal, will be able to disseminate a message, that every woman has a story to tell and judging them is a social injustice to them?
Not just every woman but every person has a story. In this case, I happen to represent a woman. I have played women characters associated with varied professions. I am glad that I am capable of communicating their message to the audience. Women have a lot of potentials, and their contribution to society must be acknowledged.
- Kirti, you are known for delivering strong messages (often through your work in films.) Does a movie with a strong social message affect you personally?
Yes, my work definitely affects me. The roles I choose to play help me grow personally. People appreciate my work. Being an actor helps me to empathize with the characters and show the world the character’s perspective on screen. I am interested in playing versatile roles that portray some novel perspectives before the audience. At the same time, this is a medium of change, which I can use to make a difference. I hope to continue to maintain that.
- Your movies give an excellent message to the masses. Can we expect some more such movies from you? What is your upcoming project?
Yes, I choose different kinds of roles to enact. I have new features coming up this year; Shadistan, The Girl on Train, a new web series, and a short film, ‘Charu’. I am looking forward to their releases.
- Moving aside from movies, we discovered that you’re a Reiki practitioner and meditate regularly. Can you tell us more about your holistic lifestyle and your stress management mantra?
My constant approach to life has been spiritual. Everything else revolves around it. It has helped me manage stress, heal, and grow. I have learned different kinds of meditation courses, and Reiki. It is a way of finding yourself and experiencing peace and stability. It has helped me to change my perspective on life.
“Imitating someone else eliminates originality; one must hold on to individuality. Fashion should not be defined by the expectations of people.”
- You are a charming person with a captivating personality, a fashionista. Do give us your insight on your way of styling?
Thank you, but I am not a ‘Fashionista’. I believe in keeping it simple and comfortable. My style carries a bit of easy-going, Bohemian vibes. I don’t follow any kind of trend. My style is influenced by the cultures of the places I have traveled to. I don’t see a sense of style as an achievement. It is important to stay true to who you are. Imitating someone else eliminates originality; one must hold on to individuality. Fashion should not be defined by the expectations of people.
- Do you think that fashion must be eco friendly? We would very much like to know your perspective on eco-friendliness?
To put it in a simple way, my approach to this matter is to compromise on unnecessary things and be flexible; we need to strike a balance. Again, I think it’s a matter of attitude towards our environment and life, being conscious of how we affect nature and also, simplicity and being down to earth help you to maintain that balance, which is beneficial to nature and all the beings on it including us.
- What message do you want to give to women who are highly conscious of their physical beauty?
It is necessary to take care of yourself; to look and feel good about your body. But the moment it crosses the line, it becomes an obsession. Women become conscious of their looks in context to other people, which leads to self- judgment. It is not right and I don’t support it. I came to realize that it doesn’t matter. You should care about your skin and body, in a healthy and optimistic way.
- Which social and environmental issues are you most passionate about?
In the social context, I love kids. They are the future, and every kid deserves to grow up in a very healthy way. All kids should have a proper upbringing, good food, medical health, and education. Also, they must be provided with equal opportunities.
In the environmental context, anything that involves the exploitation of the environment and wastage of resources is a problem. Everything is connected from top to down and comes down to the basics, like consciously cutting the wastage of water and electricity. Also, cleanliness is a mind-set that should be nurtured. Nature is always in our support and provides us enough as long as we don’t get too carried away with our greed.
- With an Instagram following of over a million, you’re impactful when it comes to social media, but what impact does social media have on your life?
Yes, the number of followers has crossed a million now. Initially, I was pessimistic about social media. But along the way, I began sharing stuff with people. On a positive note, I am truly myself on social media too; I don’t pretend to be anybody else. It gives me a platform to connect to people who genuinely like my work. Again, one should know how to use it and not depend on it for validation.
- Awareness is the stepping stone to a sustainable lifestyle. What’s the one eco-action you are eager to engage the audience in?
I am very impressed by the initiative to separate dry and wet waste taken up by many societies and apartments. Although it looks small, it significantly brings about a positive change in the matter of waste disposal and recycling. Something as basic as this should be practiced across the households in this country. There is waste that can be put to reuse and recycle. I call out to people and societies to start inculcating such practices in their everyday life.
- Any special message for our readers?
I just want to convey to all the readers that it has been difficult these three-four months due to the pandemic. We have experienced a lot of changes and faced challenges personally, mentally, health-wise, and economically. But we must not forget that we’re stronger than these circumstances and we shall come through this too. Just stay strong!
