The journey of an actor often traverses varied creative landscapes, and for Wamiqa Gabbi, the transition from the evocative storytelling of Vishal Bhardwaj and Vikramaditya Motwane to the high-voltage dynamism of Atlee’s filmmaking is a path filled with valuable insights and an expansive range of emotions to explore. Currently immersed in the production of Atlee’s latest feature—believed to be christened ‘Baby John’—in the serene city of Kochi, Gabbi expresses her enthusiasm in assimilating the trademark pizzazz of Atlee’s cinematic universe, “That swag you witness in Atlee sir’s masterpieces is a quality that one internalizes, learns through experience, and then reflects on the silver screen. This narrative is sculpting an additional facet of my artistic persona. The essence of being a mainstream, commercial performer is truly unique. I’m on a quest for experiences that will surprise me and mould my character. This project is serving as the crucible for that transformation,” she elucidates.
Next to Gabbi in the frame is Varun Dhawan, and behind them is the maestro Atlee himself. The film, an action spectacle steered by the skilled Kalees, also features the talent of Keerthy Suresh alongside Dhawan. Gabbi acknowledges the stark contrast this current venture has with her prior engagements—whether it be within the period contours of Motwane’s ‘Jubilee’ (2023) or the nuanced espionage depths of Bhardwaj’s ‘Khufiya’ (2023). She sees her artistic mission as one of versatility, to become part of the diverse tapestries woven by directors. “I delve deeply into grasping the essence of every character I portray. Often, I engage in a dialog with the director and writer which helps spawn fresh ideas. My journey with Atlee sir is proving to be incredibly enriching, especially when you consider the success he’s achieved with ‘Jawan’ [2023]. It’s indeed fortuitous that I was handpicked for this role,” shares Gabbi.
The camaraderie on set is palpable, especially between Gabbi and her co-star Dhawan, whom she lauds for being a sterling co-actor. With genuine admiration, she mentions, “Having followed all of Varun’s work, from the gritty ‘Badlapur’ [2015] to the heartfelt ‘October’ [2018], one can say he epitomizes the quintessential masala movie star, but he’s also so much more. Housed within him is a thespian fervent and tenacious. We have a kindred spirit when it comes to humor, sharing laughs over the silliest of jokes. More so, he’s got a huge heart. During a time when I was under the weather with an eye infection, feeling terrible for missing shoots, he was exceptionally nurturing, turning the ordeal into a lighter note with his humor.”
The film industry’s perception of Gabbi has notably transformed after her stellar six-release performance in the year 2023, with gratitude pouring out for the diverse roles now coming her way. “My current slate of opportunities is directly proportional to the impact of my work that resonated with audiences the previous year. There’s a newfound respect and an altered viewpoint from the industry towards me. It’s quite remarkable that this sea change has occurred in merely a span of one year.”
The confluence of Gabbi’s artistic journey and Atlee’s visionary filmmaking promises to deliver a cinematic experience that embodies the grand spectacle associated with the latter’s work. Equally, it serves as a testament to Gabbi’s growing versatility and her unwavering commitment to exploring the vast gamut of storytelling through her craft. As the world of mainstream Bollywood cinema opens its doors to actors hailing from an array of different backgrounds, it is this melding of cinematic schools that suggests that the future of Indian cinema is not only inclusive but dazzlingly vibrant.
