Actor and former model Tejaswini Kolhapure has shared why she declined an opportunity to work in Anurag Kashyap’s acclaimed 2009 political drama Gulaal. Speaking candidly in a recent podcast interview, she said she was uncomfortable with a scene that required her character to appear nude and therefore chose not to accept the role.
Although the collaboration did not happen at the time, Kolhapure and Kashyap later worked together on the critically acclaimed thriller Ugly (2013), a performance that earned her appreciation and an award nomination.
Tejaswini Kolhapure on Saying No to Gulaal
During a conversation with Siddharth Kannan on his podcast, Kolhapure recalled that Kashyap personally approached her with the script for Gulaal.
According to the actor, after reading the screenplay, she felt the role initially offered to her did not have enough scope. She also learned that the character involved a nude scene, something she says she was not comfortable performing.
Kolhapure explained that she declined the offer because appearing nude on screen was a personal boundary she did not wish to cross at that stage of her career.
She later shared that Kashyap discussed another character with her, but that role was the one she had already felt lacked substance.
Looking Back After the Film’s Release
After Gulaal was released, Kolhapure watched the film and noticed that the role she had wanted was eventually played by model and actor Jesse Randhawa.
Reflecting on it later, she said she learned the scene had been filmed using a body suit. She recalled telling Kashyap that she might have considered the role had she known that option existed.
Kolhapure added that by then the casting process had already moved forward.
Their Collaboration Finally Happened With Ugly
Despite missing out on Gulaal, Kolhapure’s professional relationship with Kashyap continued.
She revealed that after reconnecting with the filmmaker, the two discussed working together again. During one of their conversations, Kashyap reportedly asked about her emotional state, which eventually inspired him to cast her in Ugly.
The psychological thriller, released in 2013, featured Kolhapure in the role of an alcoholic married woman. She recalled that the film premiered internationally and received strong critical appreciation before its theatrical release in India.
Ugly Faced Release Delays
Kolhapure also spoke about the production journey of Ugly, noting that the film faced delays before reaching cinemas.
The release became entangled in a dispute over mandatory statutory smoking warnings required in India. Kashyap publicly opposed the requirement at the time, resulting in the film’s release being postponed before it eventually reached theatres.
Although the film had a limited theatrical run, it received widespread critical praise.
Kolhapure said earning a nomination in the Best Supporting Actress category for her performance remains one of the highlights of her acting career.
About Gulaal
Released in 2009, Gulaal is widely regarded as one of Anurag Kashyap’s most acclaimed political dramas.
Set in Rajasthan, the film explores student politics, power struggles, identity, and social conflict. Its ensemble cast includes:
- Raj Singh Chaudhary
- Kay Kay Menon
- Abhimanyu Singh
- Deepak Dobriyal
- Ayesha Mohan
- Jesse Randhawa
Over the years, the film has gained a strong following for its storytelling, performances, and memorable soundtrack.
Who Is Tejaswini Kolhapure?
Tejaswini Kolhapure is an Indian actor, theatre performer, and former model. She belongs to a well-known film family and is the sister of veteran actor Padmini Kolhapure and the maternal aunt of actor Shraddha Kapoor.
She began her acting career with the television series Mujhe Chaand Chahiye and later appeared in theatre productions including The Graduate and The Magic Pill.
Her intended film debut was Anurag Kashyap’s Paanch, which was completed in 2003 but faced a prolonged release delay. She later appeared in films including Raavan (2010), Ugly (2013), and more recently Daadi Ki Shaadi.
