Kalki Koechlin didn’t have work for 2 years after DevD, travelled on local train

Actor Kalki Koechlin, who made her debut with Anurag Kashyap’s film DevD, recently opened up about the challenges she faced early in her career. Despite receiving appreciation for her role in DevD, Kalki did not land another acting role for two years.
In a conversation on After Hours with All About Eve, Kalki described this period as a significant low in her professional journey. She mentioned that her next film after DevD was Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. She said, “Right after Dev D, I didn’t have another film for about two years. I think the next film was Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.”
During this two-year gap, Kalki engaged in theatre work, producing a play with a prize of Rs 1 lakh she had won. Discussing how she managed her finances, Kalki shared that she relied on affordable meals like vada pao and used local trains for commuting. She recalled how people often expressed surprise at seeing her on public transport, questioning why she was without a bodyguard, which highlighted a contrast between public perception and her reality.
“People know me and see my face and everyone is really familiar with me but then they are really surprised to see me on public transport. They say, ‘How can you not be with a bodyguard?’ Like it’s this weird dichotomy where somehow I have an image which is bigger than who I really am,” she said.
Kalki acknowledged that she has evolved since those early days and is now more discerning about the work she accepts. She candidly admitted to taking on certain jobs purely for financial reasons, particularly corporate events. She explained that these engagements are transactional, where her presence is desired for her public image, and she, in return, receives monetary compensation.