Meet actress who did not have work for two years after her debut, faced financial crises, survived on vada pav, traveled by local trains, her name is…

Bollywood has seen various actresses trying their luck. While some succeeded, others had to face tough times. One such actress is Kalki Koechlin. Kalki made her debut with Anurag Kashyap’s film DevD. Though the movie turned out to be a hit, it ironically brought a halt to her work opportunities. In a recent interview, Kalki opened up about the struggles she faced early in her career.
One might be shocked to know that despite receiving praise for her role in DevD, Kalki did not land another acting role for two years. During a conversation on After Hours with All About Eve, the actress described this phase as a significant low in her professional journey. She revealed that after DevD, the next film she signed was two years later. “Right after DevD, I didn’t have another film for about two years. I think the next film was Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara,” Kalki said.
During these two years without work, Kalki devoted her time to theatre. She produced a play that won a prize of Rs 1 lakh. Talking about managing expenses during this period, Kalki shared that she often survived on Vada Pao and relied on local trains for commuting.
She also discussed how people were often surprised to see her using public transport and questioned why she didn’t have a bodyguard, highlighting the stark contrast between public perception and her actual lifestyle.
“People recognize me and see my face everywhere, so they’re really familiar with me. But then they’re surprised to see me on public transport. They say, ‘How can you not be with a bodyguard?’ It’s this weird dichotomy where I have an image that’s bigger than who I really am,” she said.
The actress mentioned that during that time, she evolved as a person and is now more discerning about the work she accepts. Opening up further, Kalki admitted to taking on some jobs purely for financial reasons.
She explained that such engagements are often transactional, where her public image is sought, and in return, she receives financial compensation.