Talking to Prateek Sur, Tanya Maniktala opens up about ‘Mumbaikar’ and ‘Tooth Pari’, her journey from Delhi to Mumbai, the big breaks post the OTT boom in India, having self-doubts about her talent, being an outsider in the film industry and lots more. Excerpts:

‘Mumbaikar’ has been getting some great reviews. What's been the best compliment you've received?

Being talked about in the same breath as all these other great actors, I think that has been the biggest compliment for me and the fact that I got a chance to work with Santosh Sivan.

Santosh Sivan has been one of the most popular filmmakers. How was the experience working with him?

Being seen through the lens by him and people acknowledging Ishita's character, even though you don't see a lot of her, but how she's the dominant, it starts at all that being acknowledged I think has been the biggest compliment for me. How Ishita's character plays the domino, that starts at all. I think people acknowledge that and make that connection and admire the performance. It's not easy to sort of create your presence felt like make your presence felt amidst all these amazing actors. So people acknowledging that I think has been the biggest compliment for me so far.

When you came to Mumbai from Delhi, did you ever face any crazy incident where you felt like leaving everything here and moving back?

I still haven't actually moved to Mumbai, but yes, the first time ever that I was in Mumbai alone because I have visited Mumbai a lot of times with my family as well. But this was the first time that I was alone in the city and it was raining as it was monsoon. Monsoon, as we all know, is really something. So I was in the city and I was trying to find this place in Aram Nagar and I did not know what it was like. There was part one and the Part 2 and it was all new and I was all alone and it was pouring like cats and dogs. And I was in some other part of the area and there was a studio space and I went and I thought that maybe not to ask somebody else and there was this huge like long line of people waiting outside in the rain. Then I asked a person, is this the artist whom I'm supposed to call? You could help me find it. And the person was just absolutely unbothered with what the address was. And they pulled me in the line and they told me to just go from audition to audition for something. But I don't know how to audition. I don't want to go find this place. Like, no, no, no, If you come, let's come and audition. Like, no, I don't want to be here. And on top of the monsoon rain that was my feet were, I don't know, musky and in water and I don't know when I was working but in a swarm somewhere. And I finally managed to find the place only one hour too late. But that experience of Bombay was like, Oh my God, I can't do this, I cannot do this. But at the same time, I usually admired the person who refused to help me even though. The fact that they were, you know, willing to help me in another sense that they were willing to help me cut in mind to audition for something because that is what they wanted to do. And they were still willing to, you know, give space to the other person, what if it works out for them. So I thought that was very sweet. But at the same time, I cannot do this. I cannot do this.

Have you ever had self-doubt in your acting abilities?

I wouldn't say it is self-doubt there definitely there's definitely a scope to do better I think and that is how I would like to analyse it, how I can improve my skills and how can I improve on the craft that I do. So it's that I wouldn't say self-doubt because there is a passion. So, I do definitely think that if you have the passion, if you're willing to work hard at it, everything is possible. So, there is definitely still a lot of room for improvement.

Santosh Sivan as we know that has been one of the most popular filmmakers. How was your experience working with him?

He's such a fab guy. He's so chilled out. He really is very clear with what he wants and obviously, we've seen his work. So just being around him, being directed by him, being seen from his lens, I think was like for me, it was as if I was living out my dream. Like when I heard that Santosh Sivan was making the film, I was like, I'm in. I did not need anything else. I did not need any sort of other confirmation. I'm in. This is what I wanted to do. So, for me, it really was like living out the dream

Is he strict on sets and wants things done his own way or is there scope to improvise as an actor?

He is such a chilled-out guy. And he would just there was always such a great vibe on set. Like he was always having fun. He was all he would sometimes bring like even after the making of it we've been in touch and so would send me pictures from Kashmir that he was working on other projects and all of these things. So, with him it's been very easy going and how he just, you know it's so open and so approachable to talking about just all sorts of things. He has a farmhouse. That's a lot of animals so he's been telling me about them. He told me about those things when I'm getting to see a very different side of him. Obviously, we know him as a great cinematographer, but getting to know him as a person also in general, I thought that was, for me, one of the most heartfelt experiences I've had.

You recently also did ‘Tooth Pari’ on OTT and this too has come on OTT. Before that, you had ‘A Suitable Boy’ on OTT. How has life changed for you after the big boom of OTT in India? Are you getting better roles than what you were getting 4-5 years back?

I couldn't have been more grateful. I think for me it came at the very correct time. I mean there's definitely a lot of things we've lost with it. And when you think of the whole COVID, the phase that we've had these two years, it's been very, very tough. I acknowledge those things as well. But with the boom in OTT and with the rising that comes at a very good time now. People are trying to make a space for themselves. OTT gives everybody a chance and there are so many stories that you want to tell and there are so many new faces coming up. So, it's a boon for all of us where we get to explore so much and we are supported so much by the audiences. It's just a medium to tell stories so that really crafts it well. I wasn't in the scene 4-5 years ago, so I don't know. But the stories that we are telling now rather than what we were watching, there is a shift and it is much more experimental and bolder. I can't judge as everyone has a different taste. OTT gives you the space to evolve with time.

Being an outsider in the film industry do you still struggle to get through to filmmakers? Do you still have to call filmmakers for work or go out like other newcomers and give auditions?

I feel very lucky and blessed that I got my break with Mira Nair’s ‘A Suitable Boy’ and since then things have been flowing for me. I am being more selective. It takes time and is a process that requires a lot of patience but as and when things get clicked it will happen.

There are so many newcomers coming to Mumbai every day to work in films. What is that one thing which you think sets you apart from the other newcomers?

I don't think it's fair to say what sets me apart from anybody else. Everyone comes with a zeal and passion and I am also one of those. You just have to be at the right place at the right time. Do everything you do with everything that you have got and that's true for everyone.

Is there any project till now that you let go and then someone else did it and it became a big success?

I have seen the people who have done that and they have done it so well so I don't regret it. The story matters when you truly love something. For me, cinema is the medium that I really love and I want whatever is best for the story to happen. If I am the best thing that could happen then it's great, if somebody else is the best fit for it then it’s great. I will take it with a pinch of salt and do what I love the best. The story has to shine and there is a hope to do better.

Are there any recent films or shows that you saw and felt, I wish I was a part of this project?

All of them (laughs). ‘Jubilee’ has been one of those.