Meghna Gulzar has taken a trip down memory lane while discussing some of the finest actors she has worked with during her career. Among the names she spoke about was Irrfan Khan, whose performance in her 2015 crime drama Talvar remains an important part of the filmmaker's journey.
Speaking during a conversation for The Indian Express' Expresso series, Meghna reflected on the different working styles of actors she has directed over the years. Her comments about Irrfan were particularly striking because she revealed that the actor required remarkably little intervention from her on set.
The Meghna Gulzar Irrfan Khan collaboration resulted in a performance that she continues to remember warmly. Instead of describing the experience as one where she had to constantly guide her lead actor, the filmmaker said Irrfan's work largely spoke for itself.
She also revealed one intriguing detail that remains unanswered for her even years after the film's release.
‘Everything He Did, He Made Me Look Good’
Talking about Irrfan's work in Talvar, Meghna said she felt she had very little to do when it came to directing him.
“I really had nothing to do. Everything he did, he made me look good,” she said, reflecting on the actor's ability to bring his own understanding and instincts to a character.
The remark captures the kind of trust a director can place in an experienced performer. Rather than having to explain every detail of a scene, Meghna suggested that Irrfan's interpretation naturally elevated the material.
For a filmmaker, such collaboration can make the process considerably different. The director establishes the world, tone and characters, while the actor brings those elements to life through performance.
In Irrfan's case, Meghna's recollection suggests that his choices often added something beyond what was written on the page.
Meghna Still Has One Question About Talvar
There was, however, one aspect of Talvar that Meghna admitted she still does not know.
The film presented different perspectives surrounding the case at its centre, encouraging audiences to consider competing interpretations rather than offering an uncomplicated answer.
Years later, Meghna said she still does not know which side of the film's perspective Irrfan personally believed or agreed with.
“I still don’t know which side of Talvar’s perspective he believes or agrees with,” she said.
That uncertainty is particularly interesting given the nature of the film. Talvar was built around a complicated investigation and competing viewpoints, making it possible for actors to approach the material from different philosophical positions.
Meghna's comment therefore offers a glimpse into the private discussions that can exist behind a film whose central subject deliberately leaves room for interpretation.
Talvar Remains an Important Film in Meghna’s Career
Released in 2015, Talvar marked one of the significant early milestones in Meghna Gulzar's directorial career.
The film explored the investigation surrounding a high-profile double murder case and examined how different investigative agencies could arrive at contrasting conclusions.
Irrfan played Ashwin Kumar, a former police officer brought into the investigation. His restrained performance became one of the film's defining elements.
The Meghna Gulzar Irrfan Khan association was therefore built around a film that demanded performances based on observation and restraint rather than conventional commercial heroism.
Meghna's recollection now provides another perspective on how that performance came together.
From Irrfan to Vicky Kaushal
During the same conversation, Meghna also discussed her collaboration with Vicky Kaushal.
The filmmaker has worked with Vicky in both Raazi and Sam Bahadur, and she described the understanding between them as particularly strong.
According to Meghna, they have reached a point where she does not necessarily need to finish a sentence for the actor to understand what she wants from him.
She also spoke about the challenge of finding another role for Vicky that could be larger than his portrayal in Sam Bahadur.
Her comments underline how a director's relationship with an actor can evolve across multiple projects, with communication becoming increasingly intuitive over time.
What Meghna Said About Deepika Padukone
Meghna also reflected on working with Deepika Padukone in Chhapaak.
She described Deepika as an actor who does not remain on the surface of a character. According to Meghna, the actress goes deeper into the character, scene and story.
The filmmaker also made a light-hearted observation about their personalities, joking about Deepika being even more obsessive-compulsive than herself.
Her description highlights a different kind of actor-director relationship — one built around detailed exploration of character and emotional layers.
Alia Bhatt’s Instinctive Approach
Meghna also had plenty to say about Alia Bhatt, whom she directed in Raazi.
She described Alia as spontaneous and instinctive, but also recalled that the actress's commitment could sometimes result in physical strain.
Meghna specifically mentioned the running sequence in Raazi, saying Alia would get hurt while shooting it.
The filmmaker's comments show that her understanding of an actor's strengths also includes awareness of how far that performer is willing to push themselves for a scene.
Tabu and Sushmita Sen Were Different Experiences
Meghna also recalled her experience working with Tabu and Sushmita Sen in Filhaal.
She admitted that directing an already established and senior actor such as Tabu was not always easy. Giving detailed instructions to someone with such extensive experience naturally requires a different approach.
Her experience with Sushmita, on the other hand, was described as much simpler. Meghna said the relationship was easy and that there was little she found difficult about working with her.
The contrasting descriptions reveal how different actors can require completely different methods from the same filmmaker.
Kareena and Prithviraj Have Impressed Meghna
Meghna is currently preparing for the release of Daayra, which stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Speaking about her latest collaborators, the filmmaker said both actors required very little instruction because of their proficiency.
More importantly, she said their interpretations of their characters went beyond what she had originally imagined while developing the screenplay.
That, she described, was particularly gratifying.
At the same time, Meghna admitted that the enormous trust Kareena and Prithviraj have placed in her also makes the responsibility of directing them more intimidating.
Meghna Gulzar’s Journey With Actors
Looking across these collaborations, Meghna's comments offer an interesting picture of her evolution as a filmmaker.
From working with Irrfan Khan on Talvar to directing Vicky Kaushal, Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt, she has worked with performers known for very different approaches to their craft.
Her memories suggest that there is no single formula for directing actors. Some require detailed conversations, some operate almost instinctively, while others bring interpretations that surprise the filmmaker herself.
The Meghna Gulzar Irrfan Khan chapter remains especially memorable because of the confidence she placed in the late actor's instincts.
Her statement that “everything he did” made her look good is ultimately less about praising a single performance and more about describing the rare ease that can emerge when a director and actor completely trust the material and each other.
And even years after Talvar, Meghna's one unanswered question about what Irrfan personally believed about the film's competing perspectives remains a fascinating reminder of how much complexity existed behind the screen.
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