
Mumbai: Acting in Hollywood is often seen
as a career boost but Nimrat Kaur says her stint in the West
isn't counted as work experience in India.
Despite having appeared in two American shows
"Homeland" and "Wayward Pines", Nimrat said an actor is only
talked about in the country when he/she is doing films here.
"I have worked abroad but that doesn't really
translate here as work experience, so I am just two films old.
How you are remembered in India is by the films that you are
doing here," the actor told PTI.
"The work that I am doing abroad is relatable and
recognised by a handful of audience, or say a niche audience
who watch shows that have Indian actors," she said.
After being part of two hit films, "The Lunchbox" and
"Airlift", the 35-year-old actor is making her debut on the
digital platform with a web series titled "The Test Case".
Describing this web series as a big opportunity for her
as an actor, Nimrat said it was a "no brainer"for her to give
a nod to this project.
"I was sure the story will be told with utmost passion
and truth. It is a great opportunity and it would have been
silly on my part to let go it."
Nimrat's father was an Indian Army officer and as she
has grown up in cantonment areas, it was sort of a natural
habitat for her.
"Many a times the set did not seem like a set. I felt
it was an environment that I remember. Wearing the uniform was
a childhood dream. And for the first time in my life, putting
up a costume did not feel like a costume, it was a surreal
experience to put the uniform," she said.
"I don't think I could have asked for more special
experience as an actor in this juncture in my life. I feel
blessed to be playing this part," the actor said.
"The Test Case", traces the story of India's first woman
combat officer, who struggles to carve out her own identity in
the male-dominated arena.
Considering that the plotline of the series is new,
the actor believes she has a major advantage as an actor to
play the part of an Army officer.
Nimrat said the reason why female actors are not seen
doing roles of Army officers on screen is because in real life
too there are not many women in this profession.
"I think 90-95 per cent of the Army is male-dominated.
That tells us about the number of women entering into the
Army," she said.
"Also, I can't recall films being made on Army or
about war front here, while in Hollywood you see a massive
strength of movies being made on army, soldier or war," she
added.
"The Test Case", backed by Ekta Kapoor, returns after
a gap of about nine months.
The web series, which released its first episode
reportedly in April last year, was shelved amid rumours of
creative differences between Kapoor and director Nagesh
Kukunoor.
However, Kapoor cleared the air saying the series has
peen pushed ahead due to budget issues.
Nimrat said when the series went off air, she was deeply
saddened and disappointed.
"I understood that there were factors and circumstances
which were not in our control. The monsoon had hit and we
couldn't shoot because of that and some other reasons. Most of
our work was outdoor and once we knew monsoon was over we were
on the floors again," she said.
The series also features actors Atul Kulkarni, Rahul
Dev and Annup Sonii. It will stream on ALTBalaji app from
January 26.
PTI