Charlie Chopra actress Wamiqa Gabbi: Beautiful things are happening in my life at this moment | Exclusive

From Manu in Grahan to Niloufer in Jubilee and now Charlie in Charlie Chopra – Wamiqa Gabbi is on a spree to impress her audience with an array of characters. The actress admits that she is going through a fantastic spell, and she is enjoying every bit of it. After the pilot episode of Vishal Bhardwaj’s Charlie Chopra – his take on Agatha Christie’s The Sittaford Mystery – Wamiqa opens up about the fourth time her association with the director, how Jubilee changed her life and how she prepared for Charlie. Read on…

What was Vishal Bhardwaj’s brief to you?

There was no brief (laughs). It kept changing.

Are you the truth seeker in the show?

I am not saying anything about my character. Also, isn’t that life? We all seek the truth (laughs). The thing with Vishal sir is he adapts a book in his style. You might have read the book. But when you watch it, it is always Vishal sir’s. He makes it his own in such a beautiful and unique way. Even if you have read the book, you know it is going to be something new when Vishal sir makes it.

This is the fourth time you have been working with Vishal Bhardwaj. Tell us about your association with him.

It feels like top of the world. Every day I feel grateful. I have always been a big fan. From Maqbool to Omkara to Kaminey to 7 Khoon Maaf – I am a big fan. Really, I can’t believe that I have done four projects with him.

I don’t know why and how all the beautiful things are happening in my life, but I am embracing them with all that kindness and happiness. I am always going to remember this time of my life.

Tell us how you got the offer of Charlie Chopra.

I have been working with Vishal sir for a while – in Modern Love Mumbai, Fursat, and Khufiya. During that time, he told me that there was a show, and he wanted me to audition for that. I said, ‘Sure, I can’t wait.’ I remember he sent me the script, and while prepping for it, I was excited. I called him and gave him my views. And eventually, Charlie Chopra happened. And I still can’t believe that this is the fourth time I am working with him. It was unbelievable for me that I actually asked him, ‘Are you sure?’ It is unbelievable to me that a person like Vishal Sir has so much faith in me. I don’t think I have so much faith in me (laughs). And then something as beautiful as Jubilee happened in my life. So many good things have happened.

Actress Daminee Basu did the workshop for the film. Tell us about your experience of working with her.

I am so glad that I met Daminee. We were supposed to work in Midnight’s Children, but that did not take off. I am so glad I met Daminee. It has been one of the more beautiful experiences working with Benny. There is something very beautiful about her. She is welcoming. She doesn’t hide her vulnerabilities. I have a special place in my heart for people who are not afraid of their vulnerabilities. They are comfortable with people who might or might not like them/ Benny is one such person. She is so comfortable with herself that she inspires me so much. I was very excited to learn from her. The experience she holds is outstanding. She has learnt from some of the masters. She has been doing this for a long time. She understands you more than you do. I am looking forward to doing more workshops with her. She was in Mumbai for a workshop, and I wanted to join. Now, I wanted my brother to join her workshop too. And she said both of you can’t do it together. So I let my brother go.

When I started working, I was very under-confident. You know, when I started working with Benny, she caught that immediately. We spoke about it, and I was surprised how she figured that out. We had one long session on this because Charlie Chopra’s confidence needs to be high. And while working on Charlie’s confidence, she literally healed me.

In Charlie Chopta, your character breaks the fourth wall and talks to the audience. Tell us how was your experience of talking to the audience.

I have not seen or done this before. I was excited. We worked a lot on it. When I started reading the reviews, I was really happy to see people liked it too. Even one negative review on this would have affected me. Everybody – from the elite reviewers to ordinary viewers – talked about it.

Also read: Charlie Chopra’s mentor-actress Daminee Basu: Vishal Bhardwaj doesn’t shy away from appreciating others’ works | Exclusive 

Jubilee receives a lot of appreciation. How does Niloufer change your life?

Jubilee changed my life in a lot of ways. It all started with Grahan. I got so much love for my character Manu. Jubilee just elevated all the love I was receiving for Grahan. Jubilee took it to another level. Manu and Niloufer are two opposite characters. Manu was innocent, and somehow people found Niloufer to be like her. I think people love innocence. Even if there is a villain and if they show some kind of innocence, people love them.

Meanwhile, playing Niloufer changed my life in the industry as well. It is because of the attention the show has received from all over the world. It is a classic show, and Vikram sir (Vikramaditya Motwane) has outdone himself.

Finally, how was Prosenjit Chatterjee to work with?

I hardly had any scenes with him. But it’s always so nice meeting him. I remember when I met him for the first time. He made me feel very special. He talked about Grahan. I couldn’t believe he watched it. He recognised me. The way he praised me and, in front of many people, he said that he was a fan. I was shocked. He is so humble and polite. My day was made. I shot with him for a few days. Even when we did not have scenes together, we were at the same location. Seeing him, I realised that these are the kind of people who make you believe in kindness and go above your ego and self-centeredness. They make you feel important and special.