Lehar Khan, part of Shah Rukh Khan's girl gang in Jawan, is being praised for her act as Kalki in the Atlee-directed film which is already a huge blockbuster and is making and breaking records every day. Lehar, who started off as a child actor, made a mark with the critically acclaimed 2015 film Parched and was also an important part of the superhit Brahmastra: Part One — Shiva that released last year. A t2 chat with Lehar.

So far, what's been the most heartwarming feedback for your portrayal of Kalki?

I am very overwhelmed by the reactions that have come in from everyone for the film as well as for Kalki. My performance has been praised, which is heartening for any actor. For my track (farmer suicides), a lot of people have said: 'Jai jawan, jai kisan.' Most people have felt that part of the story has been very realistically shown. Many have said it has been shown exactly in the way that it is really happening. The issue has really touched the audience's hearts.

Have you visited a single-screen cinema yet and taken in the frenzy firsthand?

Oh yes! I went to Gaiety Galaxy (in Mumbai). Oh my God! One can't even listen to the dialogue in the middle of so much noise! One can't go to Gaiety for one's first watch because one won't be able to watch or hear anything of the film. That should be your second or third-watch destination.

People were hooting endlessly and dancing away. The craze that the audience has! I heard them hooting for my scenes too! I didn't expect that. I recorded it on my phone and whenever I feel low, I actually play that recording. It makes me instantly happy!

How did Jawan happen to you?

It mostly happens that one gives an audition and then a meeting with the director happens. For Jawan, it was the other way around. I had a meeting with Atlee sir (director) first and then I gave an audition and bagged the role. The best thing is that all of this happened within the span of just a week!

This was the fastest process ever for me. In fact, it took them less than 24 hours after my audition to choose me. I got a call from Mukesh sir (Chhabra, casting director) saying: 'You got it!' It was quite unbelievable, especially when I was told that I would work with Shah Rukh Khan sir.

Had Atlee seen any of your previous work before he opted for you?

He went through my profile and he was aware of what kind of work I had done in Parched and Brahmastra. Actually, Brahmastra had not even released by then but he knew that I was part of it. So he relied mostly on Parched, my social media profiles and Mukesh sir's recommendation. I have known Mukesh sir since I was 11. I met him at the premiere of my first film Jalpari.

Also, the fact that I had done action in Brahmastra worked in my favour for Jawan. I have done basic action training and also learnt MMA (Mixed Martial Arts).

When you auditioned, you knew it was for a Shah Rukh Khan film?

Yes! But instead of getting nervous, it actually pushed me to put in my best. I am such a big fan of his that I was sure that I didn't want to miss this opportunity. I knew I had to give it 100 per cent.

What is it about Kalki that resonates with you?

A lot. Kalki is the quiet, simple one in the girl gang in the film. She says and does as much as she is required to. Nothing more, nothing less. That resonated with me because I am also that straight-to-the-point kind of person.

What immediately connected me to Kalki is the fact that she lost her father. I lost my father during Covid-19 in 2021. It connected me to her emotionally.

What was the most memorable part of the experience of making Jawan?

As a person, I am quite aware of the things that are happening around us and during Covid-19, the healthcare crisis and the issues that farmers faced were very aggravating. The script of Jawan, which highlighted all these issues, was a big opportunity for me. But that was also the biggest challenge because I had to make it appear real. It couldn't be half-baked, it genuinely needed to get to people's hearts. I had to get deep into Kalki's mind space and that was a challenge for me psychologically because while I am aware of what farmers are facing, I haven't experienced it myself... I don't belong to a family of farmers.

Leher as Kalki

Action-wise, we got a lot of training, including gun training. We had to be accurate in our handling of guns. There was a lot of attention paid to the authenticity of the action sequences.

You anyway came in with a background of action...

Yes, that helped because my basics were in place. And with that happening, I could put in more and take the action a notch higher. My basic idea of kicks, punches and rolling really aided me.

But Jawan was new for me in terms of the weapon I was given. In Brahmastra, I had a shield and the action was a lot more physical. In Jawan, it was a mixture of physical plus the use of guns. Guns were completely new for me to learn.

What were your biggest learnings from working and interacting with Shah Rukh Khan?

As an actor, the biggest lesson from Shah Rukh sir is to keep rehearsing a scene till one perfects it. Even after 30 years in the business, he is so passionate! He has so much hunger and passion... I was quite blown away by the kind of work he puts into every scene and every shot.

The hard work and dedication that has gone into making Jawan is visible on screen and it's reaching the audiences organically. People are whistling and hooting because of the kind of work he's put in. Not even one shot has been done half-heartedly. That is something that I have learnt from Shah Rukh sir.

And, of course, his huge energy...

Oh, that is of another level only! If you combine 800 dancers and us together and keep him on the other side, he will still be far more energetic! (Laughs)

Did you and the rest of the girl gang get a pep talk from him at any point?

We had a lot of conversations with him. We were always very curious to know how his passion stayed alive. In response, he said a very amazing thing that has stayed on with me. He said that the moment an actor makes himself rigid to a certain type of technique, you limit yourself. He told us that he figured out a new way of performing for every new film, for every new character that he did. And that's how he also ends up discovering the character.

That struck a chord with me. Usually, actors find a certain way to emote. Some learn and use method acting or the Stanislavski Method or multiple other ways. But Shah Rukh sir finds out a new technique of his own for every character, and that's why it's a new process for him altogether.

After two huge blockbusters what's the way forward for you?

I am definitely not stopping! (Laughs) When one mentally prepares oneself to believe that something good will happen, it will definitely happen. And I am already seeing that manifesting. As a child actor, it was a dream to meet Amitabh sir (Bachchan) and Shah Rukh sir... and I have ended up working with them so early on in my career.