New Delhi

Actor Kritika Kamra says she is pleased that the choices she has made over the years have created a strong perception in the industry—one where she is no longer approached for passive or background roles.

Kamra recently received praise for her performance in The Great Shamsuddin Family, where she portrayed a stressed daughter balancing professional pressure and a family emergency in a single day. She is now set to appear in filmmaker Nagraj Manjule’s upcoming project The Matka King alongside Vijay Varma.

Reflecting on her career journey, Kamra said she relates to Varma’s idea of carefully shaping one’s filmography. According to her, success has come gradually through multiple meaningful roles rather than through one dramatic breakthrough.

She said that over time, audiences and creators have begun to see the diversity in her body of work and recognise that she does not want to merely stand on the sidelines of a story. That perception, she added, is now influencing the kind of projects that come her way.

Born in Bareilly, Kamra spent her early years in Madhya Pradesh and Delhi before moving to Mumbai after being discovered for television. She rose to fame with Kitani Mohabbat Hai and its sequel, followed by Kuch Toh Log Kahenge.

Later, she successfully transitioned to digital platforms with projects such as Kaun Banegi Shikharvati, Gyaarah Gyaarah, Bambai Meri Jaan and Tandav.

Kamra admitted that actors are rarely in full control of their careers, as opportunities depend on industry trends, available scripts, and the quality of female characters being written. Because of this, she often has to wait for projects that feel worthwhile.

She described working on The Great Shamsuddin Family as deeply fulfilling, praising director Anusha Rizvi and noting that emotionally rich, character-driven small films are becoming increasingly rare.

Her role in The Matka King also offered something fresh. Kamra plays a wealthy young South Bombay Parsi widow who becomes influential during the rise of the Matka gambling culture among elite circles. She said the character is very different from her own personality.

Kamra added that she had long admired Manjule’s acclaimed films Fandry and Sairat, which made the opportunity to work with him especially exciting.

On the personal front, Kamra recently married actor and host Gaurav Kapoor in a private ceremony in Mumbai. She said the couple intentionally chose a simple and intimate celebration with close friends and family instead of an elaborate destination wedding.

READ MORE: ACP Najma Farooqi's authority stems from empathy, integrity

Beyond acting, Kamra is also focusing on her Chanderi saree business. Having grown up near Chanderi, she said the craft carries nostalgia and childhood memories for her. She is now working to expand the brand and learn the business side of entrepreneurship.