July 7 : Actor Pratibha Ranta, who has steadily carved a niche for herself with nuanced performances, says she is drawn to characters with imperfections, as they allow her to explore unfamiliar emotional landscapes. Speaking in the July cover story of Grazia India, the actor also opened up about collaborating with acclaimed filmmakers, navigating social media, and her evolving definition of success.
Reflecting on the kind of roles she enjoys portraying, Ranta said she finds beauty in complexity.
“All human beings are flawed. I am just glad that such characters are being written, and I’m getting to play them. The more the character is layered, it’s even more interesting for me to play these roles because I get to enter unfamiliar worlds and experience a range of emotions that’s what I enjoy the most.”
The actor, who has worked with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Kiran Rao and most recently shot for Nikkhil Advani’s upcoming OTT series The Revolutionaries, praised both directors for their meticulous approach to storytelling.
“These directors are extremely detail oriented. They sit with the scene and carry it around with them. You can feel their passion when working with them it catches on to you.”
Talking about her transition from television to films, she said,
“For my family, the entertainment industry felt alien and unsafe, and convincing them was the hardest part.” However, television eventually began to feel “stagnant” for Ranta, who had bigger ambitions. “Laapataa Ladies was the first film I ever auditioned for. It’s always about that one opportunity and now I’m here, living my dream,” she said.
Sharing her process as an actor, Ranta revealed that journaling has become an important part of her preparation.
“Film sets can be an intimidating place. Recently, I’ve started writing every night. That helps me be honest with myself and surrender in front of the camera and that’s 70 per cent of the job done.”
The actor also reflected on how social media has changed the entertainment landscape, saying it has given actors greater control over how they present themselves.
“There was a time before social media when actors were only seen on-screen, but today you can create your own image it’s both a boon and a curse. So today, I think you don’t get typecast. Besides, I’ve really worked on my fashion game.”
Talking about her personal style, she added:
“I like to experiment with my personal style to see what resonates with me in the moment, and how I can make trends my own.”
Off-screen, Ranta said she finds comfort in simple routines that help her stay grounded.
“I am a very optimistic person in life. If things go down, I know there is a reason behind it. Other days, I just open drawers at home and start rearranging everything; it’s satisfying and therapeutic. Or even better, hang out with my cats Mashu and Theo and watch Fleabag.”
When asked what success means to her, the actor said it is a gradual process built through consistency and foresight.
“Every productive day is a part of success for me. I also think success can be achieved only one step at a time; you can’t jump to the tenth step, but you need to plan ten steps ahead. I’ve always covered all the possible angles.”
The July issue of Grazia India features Pratibha Ranta in a candid conversation about ambition, vulnerability, fashion, and the evolving journey of an actor determined to challenge herself with every new role.