Guilty actor Akansha Ranjan Kapoor: Feels great to be able to speak to the audience through my first film

Akansha Ranjan Kapoor spoke on what went into preparing for her role in Guilty, and why it was important for her to wear her character Tanu, skin deep.

Actor Akansha Ranjan Kapoor’s debut project, the Netflix original Guilty opened to good reviews. Her performance in the film has been appreciated because of the relatability of her character Tanu. In this interview with Akansha speaks about what went into preparing for the role, and why it was important for her to wear her character skin deep.

Q. What kind of feedback have you been receiving for Guilty?

I knew that I would give it my all when I get my first film, and it has come through. People are actually acknowledging it and appreciating it. So, I genuinely feel on top of the moon because I really worked hard for this. I am generally very excited with the feedback I have received for Guilty.

Q. What are the specific things people have told you about your role?

The kind of feedback I have been receiving is that, they forgot it was me. When my family told me that, I didn’t believe them thinking that family members always say nice things. People have told me that they felt they were not seeing me, but the character. They forgot that I am a girl from Mumbai and thought I belonged to a small town. So, I am glad that the little observations I made, and how I prepared for my role worked. In no situation I wanted to come across as fake. Even if my accent or body language is a little off, no one would buy the character.

I am also glad that girls are connecting to Tanu. They have come to me and told me things like, ‘because of Tanu, I want to tell you what happened to me…’ They are actually opening up to me. So all this has been a little overwhelming but I am also very happy.

Q. Guilty has in a way restarted the conversation around the #MeToomovement.

It is definitely a responsibility. We didn’t know it would, but we were hoping that it starts some kind of conversation, so we had to be very sensitive to the topic and make sure that we are delivering it in the right way. I guess, we did touch the pulse of the people, in a way they did empathise with the girl with how things are happening around us. So, we are overwhelmed. Who doesn’t want to speak to the audience with their work? It is every actor’s dream. And to be able to do that in my first film, it feels great, I feel grateful.