Love Her Style: Kubbra Sait

An interview with the young actor who can shape-shift effortlessly from easy-breezy casual to red-carpet glamazon

Somewhere in the middle of 2018, a phenomenon called Kubbra Sait hit us in the form of Cuckoo, a character from the runaway hit Netflix show, Sacred Games. Cuckoo is a gangster’s transgender girlfriend and the role challenged everything we typically expect from a character in an Indian TV show. Perhaps because this show is not like the rest. A sophisticated crime series directed by Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane, Sacred Games, based on the book of the same name by Vikram Chandra, is made for a discerning global audience that expects to watch complex characters and storylines unfold on screen. For 35-year-old Sait this was a career-defining opportunity.

The business management graduate from Bangalore was always drawn to the entertainment industry and managed to establish a parallel career as a model and event host alongside a regular corporate gig. More recently, she moved to Mumbai and started to dabble in acting. She landed a gig starring in an Amazon Prime series called Going Viral Pvt. Ltd., and followed that up with a role in the Salman Khan-starrer, Sultan. Then Sacred Games happened and changed the world for her. And she must have made quite an impression on Zoya Akhtar at her audition, because Sait is also starring in the director’s next big release, Gully Boy.

Besides building a body of work any young actor would be proud of, Sait has also become known for her keen eye for fashion and her sharp personal style. Today she shape-shifts from easy breezy casual to red carpet glamazon as effortlessly as she gets into the skin of her on-screen characters, making her a favourite with stylists and designers. She recently sashayed down the runway in a tropical print Tarun Tahiliani sari at the designer’s show for the Blender’s Pride Fashion Tour. We chatted with the talented actor to learn more about her work, life and style.

How did you get into acting?
“I didn’t identify as an actor for seven years after I moved to Bombay. I always believed that I made a far superior anchor and I thrived on the instant feedback I received from a live audience. In 2017 I did a show for Amazon Prime called Going Viral Pvt. Ltd. At the time, I thought acting involved a lot of sighing, so I’d take these long deep breaths, and my director and the associate on the show would shake their heads and say, ‘That’s not acting’ (laughs). I really enjoyed being part of that show, though.”

How did you land the role of Cuckoo?
“Cuckoo’s journey started in a closed room between close friends that included my friend, musician Ankur Tewari, and Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap. Ankur called me that night to say he had recommended me for the role. I was like, if this guy who has met me about five times can have so much confidence in me then I must give it my best shot. I auditioned. They liked it. I was called back for the second one, third one, fourth one and literally in a week’s time, I was finalised for the role. Four days after receiving the confirmation, I was on set shooting. I think it was destiny that brought Cuckoo to me—you can’t go searching for a role like this.”

Let’s switch tracks a bit and talk about your personal style. When did you start to enjoy expressing yourself through fashion?
“I lived in Dubai for a while before moving to Mumbai and it was there that I truly came into my own, style wise. I started to pay attention to how I dress, how I carry myself—in fact, I even bought my first makeup kit when I was in Dubai.”

How would you describe your personal style?
“Cool, easy, sassy, funky, comfortable—basically, chilled out. I can throw on a pair of blue denims and a white tee and I am the happiest. Moisturised skin and a touch of blush work like magic for me.”

What was your last big fashion buy and what’s on your wish list?
“I am really excited about a custom Shantanu & Nikhil shirtdress that’s on its way. Next on my wish-list is a pair of Louboutins.”