Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, renowned for her captivating performances in films like “Soni,” “Thappad,” and “Unpaused,” expressed her desire for diverse opportunities that would allow her to showcase her versatility as an actor. Despite receiving critical acclaim for her roles, Ohlyan admitted feeling typecast, often being offered characters from a particular social class. However, she remains optimistic that filmmakers will recognize her ability to transform and adapt to different roles.
In her debut film “Soni,” Geetika Vidya Ohlyan portrayed a strong-willed police officer combating misogyny, winning accolades for her powerful performance. She then went on to depict the struggles of a domestic worker subjected to domestic violence in “Thappad” and a migrant worker trapped during the COVID-19 lockdown in the anthology “Unpaused.” While these roles showcased her remarkable talent, Ohlyan expressed her desire for more diverse opportunities that would challenge her as an actor.
According to Ohlyan, the key lies in providing actors with the right kind of opportunities that allow them to explore various dimensions of their craft. She firmly believes in her capacity to do more and hopes for greater responsibilities in shaping the characters she portrays on screen. Her aspiration is to break free from the limitations of being typecast and be offered roles that span across different social classes and narratives.
Ohlyan emphasizes the importance of the audience recognizing an actor’s ability to transform and adapt to different languages, shapes, and forms. She believes that this is precisely what acting entails — the ability to immerse oneself in diverse roles, effectively communicate in different languages, and convincingly portray characters with distinct identities. In her pursuit of varied opportunities, Ohlyan credits director Avinash Arun Dhaware for having the faith in her to take on a role that defied her perceived image.
The film “School of Lies,” directed by Avinash Arun Dhaware, provides Ohlyan with the platform to challenge preconceived notions about her abilities as an actor. This opportunity allows her to demonstrate her range and versatility by taking on a character vastly different from her previous roles. Ohlyan is grateful for the director’s trust and hopes that her performance in “School of Lies” will serve as a catalyst for change, both in the perception of her skills and in the industry’s willingness to offer actors more diverse and challenging roles.
Geetika Vidya Ohlyan, acclaimed for her outstanding performances in films like “Soni,” “Thappad,” and “Unpaused,” expressed her desire for a wider range of opportunities to showcase her versatility as an actor. She hopes that filmmakers will recognize her ability to transform and adapt to different roles, regardless of the social class they represent. Ohlyan believes that an actor’s job is to embody diverse characters, communicate in various languages, and defy expectations. With her upcoming film “School of Lies,” Ohlyan aims to challenge her perceived image and hopes that her performance will encourage the industry to offer actors more varied and impactful roles.
