Nearly five years after the release of 'Raat Akeli Hai', a film crafted with suspense, layered characters, and a deep sense of realism, director Honey Trehan is ready to take audiences back to that same dark and unsettling world. In 'Raat Akeli Hai 2', Nawazuddin Siddiqui returns as the complex Yadav, this time tasked with solving the murder mystery of the Bansal family. He is joined by Chitrangada Singh in the film. Smita Srivastava spoke to them; here are excerpts from the conversation:

1. What was the best thing about this year?
Chitrangada: The role of Meera in the film 'Raat Akeli Hai 2' is the kind of role that doesn't come along very often. Meera is from an influential family. The character reflects power, sensitivity, and personal struggles. Now, characters are being written with women at the center. They are very layered characters. The film's director, Honey Trehan, told me to push beyond my limits to play this character, so I feel this character has been the best thing about this year.

Nawazuddin: This film is special for me. I've been waiting for its release ever since we finished filming. Its story is different from the original.

2. What was your approach to embodying the character?
Chitrangada: As an actor, you develop certain habits – how to cry, how to laugh – but Honey taught me how to maintain focus even when you get bored doing an emotion or a shot repeatedly, otherwise, you experience a mental block. I learned from Honey how to perform beyond that.

Is it easy to play the same character repeatedly...?

Nawazuddin: No, it's a little risky. If you think, "I can easily do this," then that same character can harm you. Every time you have to start from scratch. There is a foundation, of course, but your relationship with the new characters, their reactions, everything changes. Your performance also changes accordingly. 3. You two were supposed to work together before, but there were conflicts and the film didn't happen...
Chitrangada: I always wanted to work with Nawaz, but unfortunately, it didn't happen. Our equation has never been bad. Sometimes films don't get completed for various reasons, but it's easy for people to say that there was a problem between the two actors. I told Honey (Trehan) the same thing, that I wanted to work with him. I was stuck on several scenes, and Nawaz supported me a lot.

4. Is playing a dark role more difficult, or is it more difficult to get out of it?
Chitrangada: Nawaz is a master of dark roles. I think it's difficult to get into a dark role. On set, you're laughing and talking. In such a situation, it's challenging to delve into the mental depth of the character as soon as the camera is switched on. However, getting out of it seems a little easier. Nawazuddin: Getting out of the character is also difficult, and so is playing it. I've played more gray characters than dark ones. Some characters stay with you. Personally, the character from Raman Raghav 2.0 was a bit overwhelming, but during the shooting of the film Raat Akeli Hai, I really enjoyed being a complex character. Living the life of a character for two or three months is a beautiful experience.

5. It must be difficult to perform repeatedly when you get stuck on a shot?
Nawazuddin: Every actor gets stuck on a shot or two, but the final shot that comes out is very enjoyable.

6. Jatin Yadav is in the police force, and Meera Bansal is from a family connected to the media industry. What does power mean to you?
Chitrangada: I think power is being able to do what you want to do. If you want to work, do it; if you don't, then don't. Live your life the way you want. That's the real power; otherwise, there's no limit to power. What you can make others do is a different thing.

Nawazuddin: That's a great answer. For us, power is being able to do the work we want to do; otherwise, powerful people often misuse it. 7. This year, the large cast of stars, eight-hour shifts, and the issue of violence in films have been prominent topics. What are your thoughts on these issues?
Nawazuddin: All these things depend on mutual understanding. If violence is shown merely for sensationalism, then it's wrong, but if the script demands it, then it has to be understood.

Chitrangada: I believe that wherever it seems that actors are being overworked, there should be a dialogue with the filmmakers. If the filmmakers feel that the cast is too large, then the actors need to understand that. Collaboration leads to better work in cinema. It cannot be one-sided. You can't blame just one person. Good work only comes about when everyone works together.

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