In Savi, currently playing in theatres, a homemaker attempts to carry out a daring jailbreak to get her husband out of a high-security prison. Divya Khossla plays the eponymous protagonist in this thriller directed by Abhinay Deo (Delhi Belly, 24) that is an adaptation of the French film Pour Elle. It also stars Harshvardhan Rane and has a scene-stealing Anil Kapoor in a pivotal role. A t2 chat with Divya on Savi and more.

Savi has been a surprise crowd puller. That must feel special, especially given that so many big films this year have fallen by the wayside...

It is definitely heartening. What is delightful is that people are loving the film so much and they are connecting to it emotionally. I am getting a lot of response on Instagram... women are writing in saying how inspirational Savi is and that she shows that a woman should never give up. Many have said how important it is for everyone — whether man or woman — to watch this film. I am thankful and happy that everybody is appreciating it and loving it.

Among the roles you have done so far, where would you play Savi on the challenge scale, physically and emotionally?

I shot for 45 days on the trot in -6 degrees in the UK. Even in that extreme weather, I was the happiest on set because I love working and being a creative person.

There are challenges, but I have always been a fighter. The character in this film is intense and it required a lot of commitment. The good thing is that I am an actor who goes all in. I tried to completely feel Savi's emotion and what she is going through at various points in the film. It gets tough sometimes because going so deep into a complex character can have a mental impact on an actor.

I would like to credit my director, Abhinay Deo, and my producer, Mukesh Bhattji, because they created a very good environment on set and even though we worked in extreme conditions, the whole unit was looked after nicely.

I saw a video of yours during the making of this film where you were freezing in the the middle of shoot. That looked painful...

Yes, it was quite crazy. On many days, in those temperatures, we had to be ready at 4.30 in the morning with make-up. Sometimes, the shift would get extended and I would end up working the whole day. Most often, when the audience watches a film, they don't realise the kind of work that goes into making it.

What were the primary reasons that made you want to play Savi?

As an actor, I often feel dissatisfied. I feel that there is a lot of untapped potential in me. I want to play different roles. I really want to do a comedy film. I always need to challenge myself, to explore more.

I liked the fact that Savi is completely deglamorised. My director didn't allow me to use even a dot of make-up. Her husband (played by Harshvardhan Rane) is in prison, so she would have no time to even look at herself in the mirror, leave alone apply make-up.

While doing such things on screen, an actor breaks many barriers for oneself. I will get very bored if I don't have a challenging character and Savi happened to be one. I need characters that get me thinking, that make me insecure, that make me nervous. If a character doesn't make me think, then I see no point in playing her.

I am also the kind of actor who likes to go in fully prepared. I don't leave anything to the last minute. My homework starts two months before the shoot.

The entire film rests on Savi's shoulders. That is also very scary in today's times because audience's tastes have become very confined and they are not going to movie theatres easily. But in the case of Savi, I am getting to see videos from inside movie theatres, from Delhi to Dubai, where people are clapping.

You just mentioned how you like to go well prepared to shoot. But isn't acting also about spontaneity?

Yes it is. There have been many days when I have got my scenes right there on set, just before a shot. I prep to become a character and adopt her thought process. Once I do that, certain things about the character come naturally to me. But what I do in front of the camera happens very organically and naturally. But I have to do my homework to become a character because in real life, I am not like her.

It was only Laadli, my character in Yaariyan 2, that was closest to who I am in life. In Savi, I had to make sure that nothing of Divya showed up in her. So I do my homework but I also keep things very flexible.

Along with being an actor, you are also a filmmaker. Why do you think audiences are not coming to watch films in theatres like they did earlier?

I think the ticket price is very high. The ticket prices for Savi were reduced on release day because it was 'Cinema Lovers Day' and that got us an amazing opening of Rs 2.6-crore.

Another thing is the price of the food in cinema halls. It's so high! The other day, a few of us went to watch a film and bought some popcorn and when the bill came, I was shocked!

Also, because of OTT platforms, people don't go to theatres because they feel they will anyway get to watch the film a few months later on streaming.

Are you looking at going back to directing anytime soon?

Honestly, I haven't got a script exciting enough to direct. I am focusing on acting. I am doing a Telugu film next. It is called Hero Heeroine. I feel like doing a Punjabi film next. I am enjoying my time as an actor.