Krystle D'Souza on her rise from television to films and what keeps her going

There have been many transitions from television to the big screen, and one of the notable ones is that of Krystle D'Souza. The actress became a household name with her popular show Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai. She debuted on OTT with Fittrat in 2019 and then made her big Bollywood debut alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi in Chehre. D'Souza still has the fire burning inside her to aim for bigger and better things, despite the conventional judgments and rejections she has faced. In an exclusive conversation with Cosmopolitan India, she gets candid about her tumultuous journey so far, why the medium of content has never mattered to her, and her enthusiasm for her upcoming projects.

Cosmo India: When you look back today, what would you tell the Krystle of 2007 when you had just started your career?

Krystle D'Souza: I became an actor by chance, so I honestly didn’t think I would reach where I am now. I think the advice I would give my younger self is: there is no real method to this madness. Work hard, but don’t forget to work smart as well. Things have a way of working out when you do. Luck got you here, but talent, courage, and hard work will take you places.

CI: The television landscape has changed exponentially compared to when you started. What are the things you're glad have changed, or hope will get better?

KD: When I started on television, there weren’t so many mainstream channels, so the potential for getting shows was limited. Now, with so many channels, there are all kinds of shows being made, giving actors more opportunities to perform. I feel that television still has a unique reach that no other platform has. It made me, and many other actors, household names. I do hope that, over time, more progressive and relatable shows will be made on TV.

CI: A Bollywood debut with Amitabh Bachchan and Emraan Hashmi is commendable. What are your fondest memories from your first meeting with them?

KD: First of all, how many actors can say their debut film was with the legend himself, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan? I remember my first day shooting with him—he introduced himself saying, "Hi, I’m Amitabh Bachchan," and I introduced myself back. Who doesn’t know him? But that just shows how humble, warm, and welcoming he is. He said he had heard amazing things about me from the director, and I told him I was looking forward to shooting with him. As for Emraan, he is so knowledgeable and well-read. He's amazing to have a meaningful chat with and a good performer as well.

 

CI: Every actor who wants to work in films has a certain perception about their debut. What was yours?

KD: For me, I just want to keep acting—the medium doesn’t matter. Yes, I would love to do films because, in a shorter span, you get to play different characters and then move on to the next. As an actor, what more can you want than being able to do multiple projects back-to-back? I knew that in Chehre, I had a good role and my character had a lot to do. I was also looking forward to seeing how people would receive me in a grey shade, as that's something they hadn’t seen from me before.

CI: Your latest film, Visfot, is currently in the news. What made you say yes to the project? How is this character different from what you've done earlier?

KD: My director, Kookie Gulati, gave me a narration of the character, and my first instinct was to do it because Lucky, my character, had so much to do from a performance perspective. Also, as a Catholic, I had never gotten to play one before, so this felt true to my roots. This character is different from my previous roles because she’s a girl next door. In Chehre and Fittrat, my characters were fashionable, with hair and makeup on point. But for this one, I had to strip all that off and be basic. It’s a story of one day, and all the events that unfold in a single day, which was something I’ve never done before.

CI: It's common to compartmentalise actresses based on their looks. Has that happened to you? Any role you remember where you felt there was no substance as an actor?

KD: Yes, I think because of my social media presence, I get calls for roles that expect me to just look pretty without much to do. That’s something I’m not up for. Whatever roles I take on must have substance, and looking pretty or not is secondary. I’ve rejected many scripts on this basis. It takes courage to do that, but as an actor, if I’m not being used to my full potential, I don’t see the point. For Visfot, it was refreshing when my director said, "We don’t want her to look pretty; we want her to look relatable and real."

 

CI: What challenges do you face now, despite being established, compared to when you started?

KD: I feel there’s still a block in the industry when it comes to casting actors from television. But I’ve met many broad-minded visionaries who believe in my talent, like Mukesh Chhabra, Rumy Jafry, Kookie Gulati, and Sanjay Gupta. Now, my challenge is convincing others that I’m good at what I do—I just need the chance. I have no problem auditioning multiple times for a part; I just need more open-minded people in the industry.

CI: What's the harshest review or feedback you've ever received?

KD: I was once finalised for a film after everyone loved my auditions, and I was excited to do it because the character was strong. Two days before leaving for the shoot, I got a call saying the lead actor thought I was an "overexposed TV face," so I was dropped. That was in 2021, even though I had quit television in 2018. I have no regrets—TV was the best thing to happen to me, and it’s the best schooling for any actor.

CI: Who are the actors on your wishlist that you'd love to work with?

KD: I’d love to work with talented actors I can learn from. If I have to name some, I’d say Ranbir Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Vikrant Massey, and Ayushmann Khurrana.

CI: What would you be doing if you weren’t an actor?

KD: I’ve been an actor for almost half my life, so I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else. There’s no Plan B—having one only distracts you from your main goal.

CI:  What's in store next?

KD: I’m currently filming for a web series. We’ve wrapped the first schedule and plan to finish filming by the first week of November. I’m excited about this one because it’s a character I’ve never played before. I’ll share more details soon!

Image courtesy: Deepika Sharma, Splendid PR

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