Maanvi Gagroo has been acting since 2008 and has made quite a name for herself in the intervening years. She’s a talent powerhouse who has a yen for comedy. Her comic timing has always been perfect. She’s such a natural in front of the camera that whatever she does, doesn’t look rehearsed. They say comedy is just a front for tragedy. Scratch the surface and you’ll find the pain her characters are going through, which they’re hiding behind their mannerisms. Making the audience root for you is the hallmark of good actors and Maanvi has been able to do so in each of her outings. She might not be the central character but you look forward to her appearances and soon becomes an indispensable part of every project. She’s grounded, knows her limits and is fun to talk to. She’s bubbling with enthusiasm about everything in life as we chat about life, career and other things. Excerpts:
Maanvi, what would you ask your character Siddhi from Four More Shots Please!, if you had to revisit her...
I would ask Siddhi from Season 3 about her problem and why she behaves the way she does. In fact, I, as Maanvi Gagroo, wanted to slap her! Especially in that scene where she roasts everybody at her birthday dinner. That was the height. But it was a great scene for me as an actor and I loved performing it because I got to say things that I would never say to somebody’s face in real life. I would also tell her to get some therapy!
Have you ever had a similar experience in real life where you were grieving and you behaved a bit off character?
Fortunately or unfortunately, I have never had a complex about my body or been insecure about my looks. Of course, there are days when I wonder whether I am looking good or bloated. And there are days when I feel like my skin is glowing and I am having a great hair day. But I have never had a low phase with respect to my weight or body type. We get too bogged down by these things. Anytime we meet someone after a long time, the first thing we comment on is their weight. Their physical appearance is part of their personality, and we can talk about it. But doing it constantly gets too much. We should get over it and move beyond weight and the colour of the skin.
When these things happen, do you feel objectified as an actor?
I remember there was this one audition where the guy there was standoffish. He just looked at me, pointed to a call sheet, and asked me to write my name, always looking disinterested. As soon as I read the lines and did the scene, instantly his entire demeanour changed! I think he didn’t expect me to be such a good actor. He suddenly looked interested and asked me whether I was a trained actor and he noted down all my details. He also said there was another show he was casting for and would call me for that too. That was a little bit of a win.
When you decided to come to Bollywood, what were your apprehensions like? Did you feel like you would fit in?
Before I moved to Mumbai, I had done two projects while I was studying in Delhi. So I would keep coming to Mumbai to do shoots and then go back. What made me decide to continue with acting was a Times of India review of my first film, Aamras. The film didn’t do that well, but I got a great review where it was mentioned that Maanvi Gagroo stood out as a performer and was the next big thing to watch out for, or something to that effect. And I thought I had arrived. Since all the reviews mentioned my name, I thought when I went back to Mumbai there would be a queue of producers and directors wanting to cast me. Obviously, nothing like that happened, and I fell flat on my face. Then began the struggle.
Did you have to struggle a lot?
My struggle was more about figuring things out. Thankfully, no one ever told me that I was bad.
You are extremely active on social media.
I am a huge social media fan. Even if I were not an actor, I would still be very active on social media because it comes very naturally to me. If I see something interesting, I immediately take out my phone and do a story about it. There are days when I don’t feel like doing it so I don’t do it. That’s when my social media or PR manager calls me and asks me to do a Q&A with my fans or a live show. But I don’t like to be told what to do. Because it’s my ID and profile, and I like to do whatever!
Was Four More Shots Please! a game changer for you?
Yes, in some ways. When I was doing it, I didn’t think that it was a breakout role. I was doing it with a bunch of friends, but it was the first character who was not described by her physicality. Usually, you are told that a tall, pretty, bubbly, or whatever character walks in. But I was just told that I should walk in, confident, strutting in my high heels and then it went on to describe the scene. Everything about the show was glam and it made people and especially the industry see me in a different light.
How therapeutic was it to work with three other women over three seasons?
In season 1, we were all too new. There was no jealousy or anything, but we had to pretend to be friends. Season 2 was much better. We went to Turkey and we bonded there, as you always do on outdoor schedules. Season 3 was outstanding! I had the best time.
What are you looking forward to right now?
Till June this year, I was not doing anything, and I was fine with it. I was okay because I knew I was starting something in another month. We are also discussing whether we should have Season 4 of Four More Shots, Please! but we don’t want to do it just for the heck of it. It has to be something good. The best thing about Four More Shots Please! is that all four girls are different. One is fat, another is skinny, one is dark, another is fair, someone has tattoos, etc. Yet all four are stunning in their own way. I keep telling the makers that they have four different girls at different stages of their lives. We can just travel with these girls and keep growing with them, like in Sex in the City, where we all saw them go through that process.
How do you handle your bad days?
If I am having a bad day in general, like not feeling well or motivated, I don’t attend events. But when I watch the same event and see pictures of the people attending it, it bothers me. ‘Damn, I should have gone,’ I think!
Two truths and a lie...
I am a trained dancer. Two, I was born in Kashmir, and three, I was nominated for Filmfare Best Supporting Actor!
How’s married life treating you?
It’s been great so far. It feels good to come back after a hectic day to be with the person you love. So yeah, I can say that currently, life is beautiful. We’re both learning to maintain the work-life balance.
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