"I cannot become Ratna Ma'am or Neena Ma'am. I have figure out my own journey" - Wamiqa Gabbi

This year just keeps getting better and better for actor Wamiqa Gabbi. After making a splash with her performance in Mai last year, Gabbi has been on roll with one performance after another.

Already riding high on the success of the show Jubilee from earlier this year on Amazon Prime Video, the actor is now set to play the titular role in Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley on Sony LIV. Interestingly, while this is a show directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, Gabbi has several projects already set and rolling with the man, one of them being Khufiya on Netflix that will release next month.

In an exclusive at-length conversation with us, we asked about how did the show happen to her, working with Vishal Bhardwaj, and other things.

Firstly, please let us know how did this happen to you? Because as we already know that, Vishal Bharadwaj and you, interestingly, already have another project which is also gonna come on Netflix later. But how did Charlie Chopra happen to you?

I think Charlie Chopra happened while I was shooting for Khufiya. I remember him telling me about it. But it was only during the shooting process that he asked me to read the script and he told me more about it, that you know, that he's finally making it. And he wants me to audition for it. So yeah, that's , that's when the audition happened and it was all sealed.

Now that we've already talked about Vishal Sir and you working together on these two projects and on others as well; how is that feeling? Because anyone who is a cinephile, who's an actor or a budding actor, would probably dream to have one project, at least have one collaboration with him. Now you're having done several. What has been your biggest learning from him, as well as how's that feeling, just to be there?

That's going to be my fourth project with him. So it's been like a dream come true. And you're right. I also thought that I have to work a lot, like all my life to actually one day work with Vishal Sir. And I'm so glad that I took an early phase of my career in Hindi. In this industry I have managed to work with Vishal Sir for the fourth time. And that's crazy. I have had the best time working with him and I hope he works with me again because I have learned everything from him.

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I also thought that I have to work a lot, like all my life to actually one day work with Vishal Sir. And I'm so glad that I took an early phase of my career in Hindi. In this industry I have managed to work with Vishal Sir for the fourth time.

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Of course, you know, because as we know it's adapted from the book (Agatha Christie - The Sittaford Mystery), so did you have a chance to read it or Vishal Sir made sure you read it or it was just purely on the script?

The thing is that we adapted it and all the characters have been, you know, Indianized. Or you can say that because he was making it for the Indian audience. So obviously it can't be completely what is in the book and how the characters are. And hence all the characters have their Indian touch now. I did not read the book and I remember reading the script and the only thing I read again and again was the script.

Another interesting thing about the trailer is how the entire Shah clan seems to be a part of the show. Naseer Saab, Imam, Vivan and Ratna, it's a fantastic coincidence for the viewers but I'm almost certain that it was done by design. So how was that? Like, was it done by design or it just sort of turned into place for every actor from the family to be a part of it?

I have no idea about that, honestly (laughs). I am just glad the whole family is there. I am glad I get to work with Naseer Saab and Ratna Ma'am apart form Vivaan and Imad, who are also so talented. I am glad I meet and work with the whole family there. 

Ratna Ma'am is vocal in general about several things and always imparting knowledge in the best way possible. What was the one learning or what was the one conversation you feel that you will remember and probably cherish?

There have been so many conversations. There has not been one learning. I have worked with all of them for so many days in Manali and in Bombay. So it's just really about working with them. It's the only thing that we learn from being a senior actor. They've been in this industry for a long time. And these are very small, small things you see and learn. Obviously, when it comes to acting, it's your own journey. It's your own experiences that helps you become a better actor. It also depends on what kind of a person you are. So I think the only thing that I learned from the whole experience is that I need to just keep working on myself. And I, you know, obviously cannot become Ratna ma'am, I cannot become Neena ma'am (Neena Gupta) or anyone. I'll have to find my own space. I have to figure out what, you know, what do I think of life, you know, and that will decide what kind of an actor I become, what kind of an artist I become. But definitely I understood one thing from all these people that being honest to yourself is very important. And I think all of them are very honest to themselves, are very proud of who they are, are very comfortable with being themselves. So that is one thing I think that I learned from them.

When it comes to whodunits, when done well, they are the most interesting. But the recent track record with Indian whodunits haven't been good. What sets Charlie Chopra apart?

Well, first of all, it's Agatha Christie. She's the queen of murder mysteries. And over that, Vishal Sir is adapting Agatha Christie's book. I think those are enough to get you to sign up for it. At least it was enough for me to get excited about this project when it came to me. And it's not going to be a regular whodunit that makes you feel 'we've done this before.' It's going to be a lot more fun than the previous ones. I'm hoping that the audience will also have fun. You will get to know that we have made all this. We are in a different way attached to it. It's the kind of names that are associated with the project that also speaks for itself, right? It's just that you feel that these are the people who are expected to be the creators so they must have done something good right? It's just that you'll know the truth only after seeing it.

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