Looking resplendent in an embellished blush pink Anarkali, Sara Ali Khan won everyone’s heart with her smile, and fun and joyful vibe at TBZ Kankurgachi. In the city to promote her June 2 film Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, directed and co-written by Laxman Utekar, and starring Vicky Kausal in the lead, Sara talks about her plans in Calcutta, the heirloom chandbala that she has her eyes on and the wholesome feeling that the film offered her. Excerpts:

How does it feel to come to Calcutta?

This is my second time in Calcutta and honestly, I don’t know much about the city. The last time I was here was during Durga Puja and this time I have plans of eating puchka and jhalmuri. Also, I love rasgulla. There’s a lot of warmth in the city and I want to experience that more.

You are wearing a diamond necklace which we were informed that you selected for today’s event. Are you a diamond person?

Yes, I am a diamond person. But it also depends on the occasion. Gold and jadau are very traditional and beautiful so if the occasion demands, then I like that. However, my go-to jewellery is a simple diamond or solitaire tennis bracelet. Though I don’t wear much jewellery every day but I like gold bangles as well.

Any precious jewellery that you value a lot?

Ok, Ibrahim (brother) is going to find it out now. There are these chandbalas that were gifted to my grandmother by her mother-in-law and then they came to my mom and now it is supposed to go to Ibrahim’s wife. But I have it written on paper from my dadaji that these earrings are mine, because they are stunning and lovely, and now I have my eyes, hands, lockers everything on it because it’s been given to me.

Coming back to your June 2 release, what was it about the film that made you get on board?

I think the basis of every film is truth. If you hear a narration and you feel that this is the story you want to be a part of then that is the kind of story you should tell. Also, I think it’s been very long since we have seen a true family wholesome story where there is love, comedy and drama.

This will be your first film that will be releasing in the theatres post-pandemic. Are you excited about it?

After the pandemic, celebrating oneness and getting that community feeling is important. Whether it’s urging people to come with family on June 2 or promoting the film in different cities on the ground, I think it’s this community experience that has really been missing on a personal level and ironically that is what the film is also about. It’s about love and the wholesomeness of a joint family… the trials and tribulation that come with it along with the love and affection and support the system offer. So, it’s a very wholesome experience. Also, working with Laxman sir who understands this world very well is a huge privilege.

The spunky actor’s next stop was ITC Royal Bengal and she relished an authentic Bengali spread prepared by executive chef Vijay Malhotra. She loved chorchori and chholar dal from the spread.

Sara quickly slipped into a printed sharara in the evening and we #heart this look too.

How was it working with your co-star Vicky Kaushal?

It was superb. Vicky is amazing, he is so giving, he is effortless and talented. For me, Vicky was Kapil on the sets and I used to call him Kapil only even when the cameras were not rolling. I think the only difference between Saumya and Kapil, and Vicky and I is that they fight a lot though there’s love as well, but there’s only love between Vicky and Sara.

You have your cup of coffee by your side. Are you a coffee person?

(Pauses to take a sip) I love coffee and that’s a very good and non-rude interruption to the interview. With so much travelling, it gets tiring and that’s when coffee comes to the rescue, every time.

We always see you getting into the kitchen and cooking on social media. Do you plan to do that in Calcutta?

I don’t know if I will be able to do that here during this visit but I believe there are two things that need to be cooked or prepared — one stories, which we do on the film set and the other one is food and they both are savoured the best with family. And during the shooting, I went and interacted with a family of over 100 members and it reminded me of Laxman sir’s set because there’s so much love and warmth. We all used to eat and work together and when you do things together it should happen in a community. I got a very homely feeling and I hope you will feel the same.

You made your Cannes debut this year, how was the experience?

Kedarnath to Cannes to Calcutta and coffee, so the Hindi letter Ka is the emotion of the day! It was beautiful and no matter which film you do and the role you play, it should be with passion and honesty. So whether it’s at Kedarnath or Cannes or Calcutta, I make sure I give my 100 per cent and I am honest always.

Pictures: Rashbehari Das