Shapeshifting, incredibly talented, and bold, Janina Gavankar is more than an actor. She’s had a career in music, and is a true artist in the classical sense of the word. In an exclusive, she talks to Bazaar about choices, feminism, fashion, diversity, and why there’s no such thing as a big break.
SHE OWNS A ROOM IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. When Janina Gavankar walks into the LA Theatre on a sultry morning in October, she is dressed in a pair of distressed denims, her face is free of any makeup, and she’s just parked her car—she could have been the girl next door. But before you knew it, Gavankar slipped into character. Her tall, athletic frame morphed into a movie star’s, as she moved effortlessly from frame to frame during the photoshoot, channelling her high-octane energy to reveal the breadth of her talent. She danced, she sang, she posed.
Bazaar was at the iconic movie hall where Charlie Chaplin’s masterpiece City Lights premiered in 1931 (with Albert Einstein in attendance). Reportedly modelled on the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles, the LA Theatre has a 50-ft-high ceiling, an imposing staircase, grand chandeliers, silk wall coverings, and a crystal and marble fountain. It proved to be the perfect setting for Gavankar’s India exclusive.
Part of the entertainment industry for 15 years, she has built a singularly unique and diverse career. From playing a shape-shifting school teacher in the vampire series True Blood (2008-2013), a lesbian in the long running series The L-Word (2007-2009) to, most recently, giving a sensitive performance in the criticallyacclaimed film on race relations, Blindspotting (2018), there is nothing stereotypical about Gavankar. She has chosen roles that are daring and in each one, she has always stood out. And the minute she mastered a certain kind of character, she moved on to something entirely different. Hers is a career spent exploring opportunities that were previously closed to female actors.
Denne historien er fra December 2018-utgaven av Harper's Bazaar India.
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Denne historien er fra December 2018-utgaven av Harper's Bazaar India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Unyielding And Unmatched
In an industry where every move is scrutinised, Kareena Kapoor Khan lives passionately, loves her job, and understands that there’s more to her than just box-office numbers.
SEEN AND HEARD
Female authors explore how crucial it is that women write about their personal experiences.
INTO THE WORLD OF JUDY CHICAGO
What makes the feminist trailblazer an icon?
'THE LEGACY OF A SINGER WILL ALWAYS STAY INTACT'
AR Rahman believes AI can be used without compromising on the artistic essence.
THROUGH HER EYES
Indian supermodels remember legendary photographer Prabuddha Dasgupta ahead of his 68th birth anniversary.
THE SHAPE-SHIFTERS
From adorning your body to your mantle piece, jewellery designers are turning to homeware.
WEARABLE ART
Three limited-edition timepieces, inspired by Gaston-Louis Vuitton's love for artistry, is an ode to the Maison's legacy of craftsmanship.
AS LONG AS TIME
Bazaar India delves into the ethos of watch brands.
MILANO MAKEOVER
Sabato De Sarno's reimagination of this classic Gucci bag is is an ode to his Milanese becoming.
A LOVE LETTER TO JAIPUR
Designer Surily Goel reveals the making of her latest collection.