By Karan Shah Launch vehicle I play Rekha in Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain. My character signifies the sufferings of the poor people of Bhopal. She’s a newly wed who lives in the slums of Bhopal and her husband works for the Union Carbide. He is very caring towards her and keeps gifting her sarees. But just before the Bhopal gas tragedy, her husband dies, and that’s when Rekha’s struggle as a widow begins. Casting coup The film-makers of Bhopal: . were on the lookout for an actor who could emote with her eyes.The casting director of the film had apparently seen a short film that I had acted in and liked my performance. She called me for an audition where Ravi Kumar, the films director was also present. But the casting was a long process as they were trying to looking for an actor for the character Rekha’s part from three different countries. But, I was the lucky one to bag the role. Stepping stone Born in England, I studied at Beauchamp College in Oadby. It was during my school days that I got the opportunity to act in a film titled Brick Lane, which was my first significant project and that is where I learnt the craft and began my journey as an actor. I also competed against thousands of contestants from across the world and won BBC’s Bolly Idol, after which I was offered my first lead in a musical wherein I danced to eight Bollywood numbers. Later I moved to London to study medicine at the University College, London. But I was always keen on learning acting, so I, simultaneously, enrolled at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Then one fine day, I decided to take up acting seriously and got admission in the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. I acted in many plays at UK’s West End theatre, one of the best during that time. Some of my popular plays were Romeo and Juliet, Cleopatra, Lady Macbeth, Miss Julie and so on. I have also trained in Bharatnatayam since I was a four-years old. First Shot My first shot for Bhopal : A Prayer For Rain was with Kal Penn and Mischa Barton. The scene showed me praying and Mischa Barton who had just come to Bhopal, notices me. That’s when Kal Penn explains to her, how my husband has died in an industrial accident at Union Carbide. As I am about to leave, she takes a picture of me and I plead with her to help me. It was a simple shot and we got it right in the first attempt. The takeaway After working on this film, I realised that we are all so fortunate to lead such a good life. While I was talking to the survivors of the tragedy, I could feel their pain. They are still living in a contaminated environment. As an actor also, I got to learn a lot. I would sit on the sets and observe Martin Sheen during his shots and I think I got a master class of acting as he kept on giving each and every shot flawlessly. Stumbling block There were a few hurdles during the shoot, Like for the final scene I had to dive into a lake, cough out blood and die. We started shooting in a swimming pool in Mumbai at around 5 pm and I got out of the pool the next afternoon! So it was 20 odd hours in the cold water which took its toll on me. Then during the shooting, water went into one of the cameras, so we had to continue the shooting using only one camera. This made the scenes even more difficult to capture. Emotionally also the shoot had an impact because my character is blinded because of the gas leak. It made me realise how the people must have suffered during that time. Role model Shah Rukh Khan is one of my role models. Though not from an influential family, it is his hard work and determination that has got him where he is today. His hardwork and passion have always inspired me. Future projects I have a film titled Basmati Blues featuring Canadian actor Donald Sutherland releasing next year, but I wish to act in more Bollywood films. karan.shah@expressindia.com
