Anupria Goenka is an actor who selects fewer but quality-driven projects. Hence, one can’t help but expect a lot from her next, IIZ: Indian Institute Of Zombies. Moreover, she is seen in one of the coolest roles of her career, that of an attractive professor who leads the students as they attempt to tackle a zombie outbreak. Anupria can also be seen destroying zombies with a special weapon, making for an interesting visual. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, the actress opened up about her role in the film and a lot more.
Usually, films, especially the independent ones, take a lot of time to release. But IIZ: Indian Institute Of Zombies was shot just a few months ago and is now ready for release on May 15. Are you pleasantly surprised by this quick turnaround?
Yes, we were even while shooting. Even then, the makers were discussing that they would release it in 2-3 months. The film was also shot very quickly. So, the whole turnaround was very quick. They were very confident and they are actually managing to release it.
You seem to be the hero of the film who has a gadget that eliminates zombies…
(Laughs) No. no. It’s a pure ensemble cast. I am playing a professor who’s leading the group and helping the students around. And yes, it was very new for me also.
Your character is called Prof Braganza. Is that an ode to Archana Puran Singh’s character of the same name in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)?
I don’t think so. I am hearing this for the first time. I don’t think it was a conscious decision of any sort. I never asked why my character was named so. I just felt that Prof Braganza fits the bill. She’s a certain kind of person; she has a different approach towards her students. She’s like a friend to them and believes in empowering them. Maybe that psyche comes through better with a name like Braganza. Her ways of teaching are quite youthful.
Do you like zombie films?
I am not very fond of zombie films or horror as a genre. I did see one film, Shaun Of The Dead (2004), as I wanted to get an idea as to what all you can do with it. It was similar to our space – wahaan masti bhi ho rahi hai, log marr bhi rahe hai aur emotions bhi hai.
How was it working with director duo Gaganjeet Singh and Alok Dwivedi and the rest of the star cast?
I loved working with Gagan and Alok. They have a youthful energy. I think one of them was from IIT. They have experienced campus life, while I have never been to college. So, for me, it was interesting to be in a college setting. There were a lot of Gen Zs in the team and I felt like I was with a different generation. The whole camaraderie was also interesting. When the camera would switch on, I would really feel that I was a professor and they were my students. They would crack crazy jokes, and I had to keep a straight face and get them to be serious. Off camera, too, we were all friends. Mostly, I have done serious work. Even here, my character is serious, but it’s set in a very crazy and comic space. That’s what interested me in exploring it as an actor. Though I had to keep a straight face, I had to deliver in the same spirit once in a while, without letting go of my character.
It's amazing what Gagan and Alok pulled off in such a small span of time. It was very real to look at. We had such fabulous junior artists and secondary casts who play a crucial part in the narrative. They are the ones who create that atmosphere while we are reacting to them.
This is your first theatrical release in 4 years. The last such release for you was Mere Desh Ki Dharti (2022)…
Oh yes. Wow, time just flies (smiles).
Do you go to the cinema halls to check out the reactions?
I haven’t, to be honest (smiles). War (2019), Padmaavat (2018) and Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) were such big films. You know that they are going to do very well (laughs). As for Mere Desh Ki Dharti, we got a very limited release. But with IIZ, I’ll be very interested to check it out as it’s a very different genre. I would love to know the reactions of people to various scenes.
What can we expect from your character?
This is the first time I am trying my hand at horror comedy. I enjoyed working in a college setup and being a sexy professor who also has a mission and is powerful (smiles). It was great to play a woman who has agency and is looked up to. Many times, in our films, when you become this sexy woman that boys look up to, you end up becoming eye candy. Very seldom do we get both together, where you are intelligent and empowering others, and at the same time, you are being adulated and have an effect on people. I love playing such characters. Also, she has a comic side to her. I hope there are more such characters where a balance can be struck between the two.
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