Fagun Thakrar – Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I’m currently starring in the historical drama Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain, along with co-stars Martin Sheen and Kal Penn. I also recently filmed a feature film with Donald Sutherland, Brie Larson, Scott Bakula and Tyne Daly.

Q) Please tell us the premise for “Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain” and about your character Rekha?

A) Bhopal: A Prayer For Rain is a fast paced drama based on true events. On December 3rd, 1984, a pesticide leak killed more than 10,000 people in just a few hours in Bhopal, Central India. My character is Rekha, inspired by the haunting and iconic image of the green-eyed Afghan girl that was first published in the National Geographic in the 1980s.  A young widow carrying the emotional burden of the loss of her husband; Rekha is a victim of the Union Carbide gas leak. Her story arc is the Rekha represents all the silent sufferers of the people of Bhopal.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the film?

A) After I read the script, not only I was blown away by the scale of the disaster, but also with grave injustice that the victims experienced; the writing, plot, and message were just so compelling that I knew I wanted to be a part of the production from the start. I believe Bhopal is the kind of film you will tell your grandchildren to watch.

Q) What kind of research or preparation did you do for your role and the film?

A) Apart from detailed research into the Carbide disaster, I visited Bhopal to hear directly from survivors and their families their personal experiences from that night. I also studied the news footage to help build a character profile for Rekha.

Q) There are a number of amazing actors who are a part of the film. Did the chemistry come natural with those you worked with directly or did you take some time to bond?

A) I’m pleased to say that we all bonded over the reading of the script; and shooting on location in India really made us to look out for each other. During filming I felt like a sponge walking around, watching Martin Sheen at work, absorbing all the actors’ amazing skills and just immersing myself in the project.

Q) What piece of advice did director Ravi Kumar offer to you that stuck with you during your filming?

A) We discussed in great detail from the beginning exactly how I was going to portray Rekha’s torment and grief. It was quite challenging to channel all those feelings and emotions through my body language and facial expression; I think I was really able to leverage my classical acting training. When I see the audience getting goose-bumps while watching Rekha’s final moments, I am so proud of what I was able to accomplish with the character.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming Bhopal?  

A) Shooting the film’s climax we had to be blinded, fumbling around in the poison gas while searching for our loved ones. In character, I found it so traumatic to even think that people suffered like that. At the end of a take, we could open up our eyes and have a drink of tea, but those victims were suffering in reality. It was a sobering thought and moments like this put life in perspective.

Q) What message do you hope viewers take away from seeing the film? 

A) If we can prevent another Bhopal from happening by asking questions and raising awareness, we have done our job.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the instant feedback from fans you will receive?

A) I always take my fans’ responses seriously. Social media is really powerful in that you can truly foster direct relationships with your audience and really learn what worked and what didn’t. I really enjoy engaging my fans and learning from them.  Working in film, you are separated from your audience by the camera; social media helps put my fans’ reactions to my work right back in front of me. On Twitter, I can be found at @Fagunx.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I just want to thank all my supporters who have seen my work. The film will make you laugh and cry and think. I really hope the story of Bhopal connects with my fans; there is so much we still can learn from this tragedy.