Nehha Pendse Implements 'Kaabil Bano' Philosophy in Her Evolving Career
In the iconic Bollywood film 3 Idiots, Aamir Khan's character Rancho delivers a memorable line: "Kaamyabi ke peeche mat bhaago. Kaabil bano, kaamyabi jhak maar ke peeche ayegi." This translates to "Don't run after success. Become capable, and success will follow you relentlessly." Actress and producer Nehha Pendse, in what she calls her 2.0 avatar, is now wholeheartedly embracing this very philosophy.
It required several years and a significant shift in perspective for the actress to adopt this approach, but having embarked on this path, she asserts there is absolutely no turning back. In an exclusive conversation, Nehha opens up about aligning with stories she personally identifies with, the crucial role of the female gaze in filmmaking, and various other aspects of her professional evolution.
An Intentional Hiatus from Theatrical Releases
Nehha Pendse's most recent cinematic venture was the National Award-winning Marathi film June, which premiered directly on an OTT platform in 2021. The actress experienced a considerable gap before her return to the big screen with the film Tighee. "It has been quite an extended break," she acknowledges, but quickly clarifies, "However, it was a deliberate and conscious decision to make my comeback with a film that I genuinely resonated with on a deep level. Therefore, the wait, although prolonged and occasionally challenging, was entirely worthwhile."
Elaborating on this conscious decision-making process, Nehha reveals, "Over the past few years, I have become extremely selective and mindful about the types of narratives I wish to associate myself with. When projects were not materializing according to my vision, I chose to pause, reflect, and realign my priorities. June materialized as a direct result of that realignment. Following that, I patiently waited once more to connect with another meaningful story, and that opportunity arrived with Tighee."
Embracing Responsibility as a Producer
Nehha, who transitioned into a producer with June, admits that actively pursuing films she feels connected to was not always her strategy. "Throughout the three decades of my career, I have predominantly accepted projects that were offered to me," states the actress known for Natsamrat. She adds, "I now possess a certain degree of influence because I am also involved in film production. However, I have come to understand that having power does not mean one should overlook the fundamental essence of cinema, which is storytelling. You must first ascertain if you authentically belong in that story, and only then proceed with how to advance."
When questioned if producing grants an actor greater liberty and creative freedom, Nehha responds candidly, "I will not hesitate to admit that part of my motivation for becoming a producer was to generate more opportunities for myself. Nevertheless, I consciously strive not to be over-indulgent with that privilege."
The Transformative Impact of the Female Gaze
Citing her recent film Tighee—which also stars Sonalee and veteran actress Bharati Achrekar, and is directed by Jeejivisha Kale—Nehha emphasizes that the female gaze in filmmaking completely alters the narrative perspective. "Storytelling inherently stems from lived experiences. I am not diminishing the significance of male storytellers, but men cannot fully comprehend or experience the unique challenges confronted by the opposite gender. They can provide an external viewpoint, but undergoing something firsthand fundamentally transforms how a story is executed—the subtleties, the sensitivity, every element. I firmly believe Jeejivisha is the pivotal reason why Tighee possesses its distinctive character," she elaborates.
Redefining Success in Cinema
Inquired about the contemporary landscape of Marathi cinema and her criteria for measuring success as a producer, Nehha offers a nuanced perspective. "Ultimately, the primary lens through which a film's success is often evaluated is its commercial performance. That being said, through my collaborations with exceptional creative partners over time, I have realized that if you possess genuine conviction, every story is worthy of being told."
According to her, the essential factor is maintaining objectivity regarding the financial resources allocated to narrate that story. "Once you attain that clarity and implement it effectively, a film cannot be dismissed as a commercially unviable concept," she asserts.
Aspirations and Reflections
Reflecting on her experience at the Cannes Film Festival last year, Nehha shares a profound insight. "Being at Cannes made me realize that I am merely a speck of dust in the vast, expansive universe of show business. However, one resolution I have made is that the next time I attend Cannes, I aspire to be there as an integral part of a film's delegation."
Nehha Pendse's journey exemplifies a strategic and thoughtful evolution from actor to a empowered actor-producer, prioritizing artistic integrity and meaningful storytelling over mere commercial pursuit.
