Advaita Kala – a writer who has written varied female characters in popular Bollywood movies, a woman can be a symbol of strength, courage and inspiration with subtlety or a woman with whom you can easily connect with.

Whether it is Aisha from her book ‘Almost Single’, Vidya Bagchi from highly acclaimed movie ‘Kahaani’ or Kiara from ‘Anjaana –Anjaani’.

While reading “Almost Single” it feels as if Advaita Kala is narrating her own story that can also be similar to your own story of life.

However, is it really Advaita’s story?

Find out in OoWomaniya’s Conversation with Advaita.

Advaita Kala

1.What kind of woman Advaita herself is?

I am not sure what kind of a woman I am – I don’t necessarily view myself in a gendered way, but as a person I am mostly laid back and yet engaged with the world and what’s going on in it.

2.After your 7 years of career in hospitality industry, what prompted the idea of a book “Almost Single”? What you wanted to convey through this book?

I have always been writing all my life. For a long time, it was to make sense of the world around me, it was a private endeavor. I always say writing is who I am, as opposed to what I do. So it’s always been a part of my life and thereby books have always been my friends. To be able to do what I love has been the greatest gift I have received.

‘Almost Single’ my maiden published book came from a place of confusion and annoyance with the way society treats women. But the idea was to approach this conundrum with humour and in a humane way. Women today are doing a remarkable job of straddling the two worlds of tradition and modern living and trying to handle this often comes with its own set of challenges. But more importantly it is society and how they deal with this new woman that I find most interesting. Almost Single was about that – but the tone of my expression of that woman, was light and comic.

3.There are two characters you wrote – ‘Vidya’ and ‘Aisha’. What emotions and aspirations of women you wanted to reflect through these two characters?

Both with Aisha (Almost Single) and Vidya (Kahaani), the attempt was to create female characters that others could connect with.

Aisha was a young, unmarried and often confused, my aim with her was to say that all these things are alright. As women, we can often be very hard on ourselves about the multiple roles – we and this society expect us to play. It was about someone who didn’t recognize her strength, because in many ways it was just who she was. I think that speaks to a lot of women.

We don’t really realize the reserve of strength and conviction we have till it’s time to use it. So the way Aisha handled her life – was really with unconscious strength and humor – an endearing combination.

With Vidya in ‘Kahaani’, once again it was about a woman who was constantly underestimated and considered weak because of her gender and her physical condition (being pregnant). I believe, for a woman to use that to her advantage and outwit all those people was a triumph. She took her perceived weaknesses and harnessed the response it elicited in others and used it. There was more psychology there – in that sense, I think of Kahaani as a psychological thriller because of this subtext to the story which was built into the character.

4.Tell us something about the striking responses you have received from your readers?

I am always grateful that ‘Almost Single’ found friends; it opened me up to so many new people and experiences. And the amusing thing is that the readers of ‘Almost Single’ automatically assume that the story is autobiographical. So I find myself often engaged in conversations offline or online with readers – and it’s instantly familiar and personal. Not that I mind. I am a listener, so I appreciate that people connect with me like they know me because of this book, even without realizing it. But at least I am not asked anymore if I am married?!

Initially, I was asked a lot about my marital status and it was disconcerting and amusing! Imagine meeting someone for the first time and they ask you, “So are you married now??!! Like they know everything about you! But now with more of my work being out there -I think people have realized that it was fiction and I am still almost single!

5.Tell us about your journey as a script writer

Very different from writing a novel, script writing is a more collaborative process and has its own challenges and highs. Having said that, there is nothing quite like going and watching your film – first day, first show. Its nerve wracking because its judgment day, but one always remembers that – these characters coming to life for an audience is the ultimate reward, so once again – immense gratitude.

6.What is your take on how women are portrayed in Hindi films spanning across different eras?

Well I am a little happier about this then say five years ago.Films like my own film – Kahaani, Tanu weds Manu, Queen, Mary Kom -have really pushed the envelope when it comes to portrayal of women in Bollywood and have even been commercially viable, which is very heartening to see. It means that there is an audience out there for female centric films and its growing.

There are lot of fine female actresses who are just not given the space and right roles to bloom; I think this is gradually changing. The writing is improving when it comes to female characters.

Are we there yet? I don’t think so, but we are moving in the right direction.

But having said all of this, I must also point out that the male gaze does dominate film making in India and indeed around the world, women are still objectified or diminished by most of the characters they play on screen. But I am encouraged by the debate that ensues every time there is something problematic about the depiction of a woman, earlier; it was just passed off as creative liberty.