Singer-Songwriter Utsavi Jha Opens Up About Her Film Debut In ‘Gulmohar’

Mumbai-based singer-songwriter Utsavi Jha has now found herself behind the screen, not for a music video, but for the recently released Disney+ Hotstar original family-drama movie Gulmohar. For her film debut, Jha took on the role of singer-songwriter Amrita Batra. She’s even contributed to the film’s soundtrack by singing on the piano-aided “Woh Ghar,” composed by Siddharth Khosla.  

In this interview with Rolling Stone India, Jha talks about how she got the role in the film, what she learned from the whole process, sharing screen space with legends such as Sharmila Tagore and Manoj Bajpayee, and more. Read excerpts: 

How did you bag this role? 

My director Rahul Chitella was very keenly involved in casting and was on the lookout for a singer and songwriter to essay the role of Amrita. I’m grateful that Rahul and Dilip sir, our casting director, decided to put their trust in me to act in this special movie. Special mention and thanks to NS Padmanabhan sir from Spotify India who recommended me, and [guitarist-composer] Ehsaan Noorani sir who also advised me in the process. I went through almost five to six rounds of auditions before they locked me as Amrita. So, I’d say being a singer and songwriter helped but I also had to audition and train to get the role.     

What was it like to be part of this film?  

This was one of the most enriching, stirring, teachable and memorable experiences of my life. It’s hard to articulate since this experience was so emotionally arousing for me. Since I’m curious and like to learn new things, I trained myself to be my most open and vulnerable self to experience everything in the 45 days of shooting. That’s why I was so affected by everything and everyone in the process – in a good way. I’d go on set every day just to watch other actors shoot their scenes because there was something to learn from everything. It opened my eyes to several learnings – that acting is a challenging profession and it takes real skills and dedication to pursue it; that each department is equally integral in the process, and they all deserve just as much respect as actors. I met so many good-hearted and talented people who I am in awe of and luckily even friends with. With regards to the cast, it’s still unreal how I got to act and spend time with legends of the Indian film industry. I got to act alongside Sharmila Tagore ma’am. What a lady – so charming, witty, intelligent, skilled and most of all, kind and generous! I learned a lot from her. She made me feel so comfortable and encouraged. She told me on our first day how we were all on the same team, working towards the same vision. So, I shouldn’t be nervous, that I’ve got this and that I should treat her as my dadi to feel more comfortable during our scenes. What humility! Rahul told me to simply surrender and trust his vision and the character, which was very helpful for an over-thinker like me. Rahul is a visionary and an impeccable writer and director who created a beautiful world with all the love and consideration for us. He embraced me as I came and made the journey a smooth one. I’ll forever be grateful to him for this opportunity and for everything he’s done for me. Manoj Bajpayee sir made us feel so welcome and at home. He’d say how acting is his safe space and that even if he’d had a bad day, he’d never doubt the craft because it never fails him. That put so much into perspective for me for my art. Not just good professionals, they’re all such wonderful people! I loved how our DOP Eeshit Narain captured us. One year down the line, I still can’t believe I got to live this experience because I didn’t see it coming.  

Did you have to undergo any training and what was the whole experience like overall? 

Yes, I did! Puja Sarup, a fantastic acting coach and actor, conducted my acting workshops. In many ways, she became my mental support for any acting-related hiccups during the course of the shoot. She knew the insecurities and troubles that a new actor may face and was always there to talk me through them. I remember being dejected with my performance in a scene on one of the initial shoot days. I went back to my hotel, cried a lot, skipped dinner, skipped breakfast and lunch the next day too. I wasn’t able to snap out of the disappointment I was feeling with myself because I like to do my best. I called Puja to learn how to deal with it so I could do the rest of the scenes better and with a healthier mindset. That conversation with her was so helpful! I ended up shooting the most creatively satisfying scene that day. In the six to seven sessions that I did with her in person and over Zoom, she didn’t teach me how to act. Rather, she taught me how to think, listen and approach feelings and situations.   

What can you tell me about your character in the film? 

I play Amrita Batra, who is a third-generation member of the Batra family, and a singer and songwriter. She is bubbly, strong-headed, decisive with a creative bend of mind. Lost in her thoughts, Amrita looks at her world through her songs. Despite being outspoken, she is still very vulnerable, emotional and connected to her family. The audience gets to savor the silences and emotions through Amrita. She has a close bond with her grandmother [Sharmila Tagore ma’am] who is her confidante and guide in a way. In the movie, each of the family members is going through a hard time. Hence, we see Amrita as rebellious, troubled and an avoider. She is grappling with her sexual orientation.  

Amrita’s personality and profession are similar to mine. So, I felt a deep connection to her while shooting and found the experience very immersive. I was able to harness my natural self to empathize with all that Amrita was feeling. Playing such a character is challenging because it could appear lacking depth if not handled well or might seem preachy. I only wanted my portrayal to seem real and honest. By the end, I was very comfortable as Amrita and tried my best to play it with utmost honesty. I hope I’ve succeeded.    

What can you tell me about the song you sang as part of the film? 

‘Woh Ghar’ is such a melodic, gorgeous song with beautiful meaning and context attached. I remember being on set one day with my director, Rahul, trying to crack its lyrics. We were able to get some words and concepts. However, it was finally written beautifully by Shelle ji. What a fun, memorable day that was! I had goosebumps the first time I heard ‘Woh Ghar!’ And then to see it in the movie supporting such crucial climax scenes is simply unbelievable. It is composed by Siddharth Khosla, who I have been a fan of. I got to work with an incredible team consisting of Kanishk Seth, Alan Demos and Rahul himself, who was immersed in the music part of the movie. We recorded the song towards the end of the shoot at Ferris Wheel Studio in Delhi. Kanishk Seth, the movie’s music supervisor, accompanied me and we had a great time. And what’s wild is that I am on the same album as Kavita Seth ma’am and Talat Aziz sir, who are legends and wonderful people.  

Is acting something that you plan on doing more? 

I’ve always stayed open in life, which is why I’ve gotten to do what I have. So, I only want to stay open by not binding myself with any parameters. I am very moved by the kind of love my singing and songs are receiving – the singer in me is immensely satisfied. However, what’s encouraging is how much my portrayal of Amrita is being appreciated. I had zero expectations since this was my debut. But I truly enjoyed the craft of acting and that is a good sign for me to be open to acting further. Manoj Bajpayee sir advised me: work double time and get work done if you have two careers, you’re young, you can do it. That has fueled me. If acting has to work out for me, I’m ready to hustle and put in the hours… As Param, a character in Gulmohar, says, ‘In life, we need only two things – hope and love.’  

What’s next for you, be it music or acting? 

Well, the movie has recently come out so I’m enjoying the love and appreciation it is receiving. I’m also happy that I took this challenge upon myself, fighting off fears, because I would’ve been at a loss had I not done this film. I am staying open and happy to see where life takes me, and see what my acting career turns out to be like. But as always, I’m putting in the work from my end as that should never stop. In terms of singing, I am hopeful that this movie takes my voice and my music to more people, and I get to lend my voice to another movie/project soon! Independently, I am working on some Hindi and English songs. I’m also saving up to create some music videos. But I want to continue creating a body of work and writing more, start collaborating and hopefully do more commercial work with regards to writing and composing for other people and brands.