Kalki Koechlin in the Oscars 2027 race for Her Song: I'm excited to see where it takes us next
Kalki Koechlin continues to choose the road less travelled, and her latest international film, Her Song, is another testament to her unconventional choices as an actor. The film has now officially joined the ranks of this year’s Academy-qualified films, marking an exciting milestone for the project and another addition to Kalki’s growing international repertoire.
Directed by John M Keller, Her Song follows Olivia, an American writer who returns to her ancestral village in southern France to write about her grandmother. There, an unexpected friendship with a local artist sees fiction and reality begin to blur.
What makes Kalki’s performance particularly intriguing is that Her Song marks her first French-language film, with the actress speaking French while also mastering an American accent for her character. Having never lived in France despite her French heritage, Kalki’s commitment to mastering the language adds another layer to her performance.
Sharing her excitement about the film’s journey, Kalki says, “Her Song has been such a wonderful journey for me, and I’m excited to see where it takes us next. I’m looking forward to being in LA and experiencing the whole process.”
The film is set for a theatrical release, opening in Los Angeles from October 16 to 22 and in New York City from November 6 to 12. Her Song, which opened the Cinequest Film Festival , has already received encouraging audience responses. Reviews have praised its attentive storytelling and Kalki’s performance, describing her as an actor who understands both the humour and apprehension embedded in the script.
In July this year, Kalki spoke to us about Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), which marked 15 years yesterday. Her character, Natasha Arora, the fiancée audiences loved to argue about, continues to spark conversations. She shared, “I don’t think she is a perfect character. I do think she is a problematic character,” adding, “Natasha absolutely stands up for herself. If she’s not okay with something, she says so and decides not to be with her fiancé. So, absolutely, she takes control of her life. That’s what makes the character lovable. Even though she’s quite insane, you understand where she’s coming from.”
A character that influenced her style
Beyond Natasha’s personality, Kalki admited that the character also left an imprint on her personal style. She shared, “What I took from Natasha is my sense of style. She was always outfitted so well. I felt good in those clothes. There’s a certain personality... your spine straightens up when you wear certain clothes.”
Why the film’s friendship resonates
Looking back at why Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara has endured, Kalki shared that its exploration of friendship is central to its lasting appeal. She said, “I think a lot of films about friendship really stand the test of time. There’s something about friendship that really sticks because it’s what carries us through all the ups and downs. You marry, divorce, have a child, lose a parent... and when all these things happen, only a few friends see you through all those stages. Your friends are almost like a mirror to the person you become.”
A different take today
Asked what a present-day version of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara might explore, Kalki offered a gender-swapped perspective. She said, “Maybe if it were made today, it would be about three girlfriends going on a trip, and the boys are having trouble with control.”
Directed by John M Keller, Her Song follows Olivia, an American writer who returns to her ancestral village in southern France to write about her grandmother. There, an unexpected friendship with a local artist sees fiction and reality begin to blur.
What makes Kalki’s performance particularly intriguing is that Her Song marks her first French-language film, with the actress speaking French while also mastering an American accent for her character. Having never lived in France despite her French heritage, Kalki’s commitment to mastering the language adds another layer to her performance.
Sharing her excitement about the film’s journey, Kalki says, “Her Song has been such a wonderful journey for me, and I’m excited to see where it takes us next. I’m looking forward to being in LA and experiencing the whole process.”
The film is set for a theatrical release, opening in Los Angeles from October 16 to 22 and in New York City from November 6 to 12. Her Song, which opened the Cinequest Film Festival , has already received encouraging audience responses. Reviews have praised its attentive storytelling and Kalki’s performance, describing her as an actor who understands both the humour and apprehension embedded in the script.
In July this year, Kalki spoke to us about Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011), which marked 15 years yesterday. Her character, Natasha Arora, the fiancée audiences loved to argue about, continues to spark conversations. She shared, “I don’t think she is a perfect character. I do think she is a problematic character,” adding, “Natasha absolutely stands up for herself. If she’s not okay with something, she says so and decides not to be with her fiancé. So, absolutely, she takes control of her life. That’s what makes the character lovable. Even though she’s quite insane, you understand where she’s coming from.”
A character that influenced her style
Beyond Natasha’s personality, Kalki admited that the character also left an imprint on her personal style. She shared, “What I took from Natasha is my sense of style. She was always outfitted so well. I felt good in those clothes. There’s a certain personality... your spine straightens up when you wear certain clothes.”
Why the film’s friendship resonates
Looking back at why Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara has endured, Kalki shared that its exploration of friendship is central to its lasting appeal. She said, “I think a lot of films about friendship really stand the test of time. There’s something about friendship that really sticks because it’s what carries us through all the ups and downs. You marry, divorce, have a child, lose a parent... and when all these things happen, only a few friends see you through all those stages. Your friends are almost like a mirror to the person you become.”
A different take today
Asked what a present-day version of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara might explore, Kalki offered a gender-swapped perspective. She said, “Maybe if it were made today, it would be about three girlfriends going on a trip, and the boys are having trouble with control.”
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