Kalki Koechlin: Difference between revisions

'''Kalki Koechlin''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=Kalki Koechlin pronunciation.ogg|ˈ|k|ʌ|l|k|i|_|k|ɛ|ˈ|k|l|æ̃}}; born 10 January 1984) is a French actress and writer who works in [[Hindi]]films filmsand stage. Known for her unconventional body of work, particularly in [[Hindi]] films, she is the recipient of [[List of awards and nominations received by Kalki Koechlin|several accolades]], including a [[National Film Awards|National Film Award]], and a [[Filmfare Awards|Filmfare Award]], and two [[Screen Awards]]. Although a French citizen,<!-- do not add Indian here, as she is a French citizen: https://www.ouest-france.fr/leditiondusoir/data/751/reader/reader.html#!preferred/1/package/751/pub/752/page/17 --> she has been raised and lived most of her life in India.

Born in [[Pondicherry]], India, Koechlin was drawn to theatretheater from a young age. She studied drama at [[Goldsmiths, University of London]], and worked simultaneously with a local theatretheater company. After returning to India, she made her Hindi film debut as [[Chandramukhi (character)|Chanda]] in the black comedy-drama ''[[Dev.D]].'' (2009), winning the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress]] for her performance. Subsequently,She shesubsequently starred in two of the highest-grossing Hindi films of their respective release years, the romantic comedy-dramas ''[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]'' (2011) and ''[[Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani]]'' (2013), both of which garnered her nominations for the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress]]. Koechlin expandedalso herstarred careerin into screenwritingand withco-write the crime thriller ''[[That Girl in Yellow Boots]]'' (2011), in which she also played the lead role.

Koechlin's commercial success continued with the supernatural thriller ''[[Ek Thi Daayan]]'' (2013) and the musical drama ''[[Gully Boy]]'' (2019), while also receiving critical praise for her performances in [[independent film]]s, including the comedy-drama ''[[Waiting (2015 film)|Waiting]]'' (2015) and the [[slice of life|slice-of-life]] film ''[[Ribbon (film)|Ribbon]]'' (2017). She earned high acclaim and the [[National Film Award – Special Jury Award (feature film)|National Film Award – Special Jury Award]] for her role of a young woman with [[cerebral palsy]] in the coming-of-age drama ''[[Margarita with a Straw]]'' (2014). Koechlin madehas asince transitionplayed tosupporting web contentroles in thestreaming late 2010sprojects, starring in a spate of successful web series. She drew particular praise for her portrayal of a lonely socialite inincluding [[Amazon Prime Video]]'s romantic drama ''[[Made in Heaven (TV series)|Made in Heaven]]'' (2019–2023) and a self-styled godwoman in [[Netflix]]'s crime thriller ''[[Sacred Games (TV series)|Sacred Games]]'' (both 2019) and drama film ''[[Kho Gaye Hum Kahan]]'' (2023).

Koechlin has written, produced, and acted in several stage productions. She co-wrote the drama ''[[Skeleton Woman]]'' (2009), which won her Thethe MetroPlus Playwright Award, and made her directorial debut on stage with the [[tragicomedy]] ''[[Living Room (2015 play)|Living Room]]'' (2015). Koechlin is also an activist and promotes various causes ranging from health and education to women's empowerment and gender equality.

Kalki Koechlin was born in [[Pondicherry]], India,<ref name="colourblind">{{Cite news |date=9 November 2014 |title=A lot of times I have had to defend my Indian-ness: Kalki Koechlin |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/a-lot-of-times-i-have-had-to-defend-my-indian-ness-kalki-koechlin/story-IVsJCxusNA6Hv1qBuOEXaI.html |url-status=live |access-date=21 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127094716/http://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/a-lot-of-times-i-have-had-to-defend-my-indian-ness-kalki-koechlin/story-IVsJCxusNA6Hv1qBuOEXaI.html |archive-date=27 January 2016}}</ref> on 10 January 1984<ref>{{Cite tweet |author= Kalki केकला |user= kalkikanmani|number= 421475922928103424 |date= 10 January 2014 |title= @KalkiKoechlinFC thank you so so much. But pls may I say 30 years ago, born in 1984;) love you guys.|script-title= |trans-title= |retweet= |access-date= |link= }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=kalkikanmani |url=https://twitter.com/kalkikanmani |website=Twitter |access-date=9 January 2023 |language=en |archive-date=27 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327052314/https://twitter.com/kalkikanmani |url-status=live }}</ref> to French parents, Joël Koechlin and Françoise Armandie, who came to India from [[Angers]], France, after adopting [[Hinduism]].<ref name="colourblind" /> She is a descendant of [[Maurice Koechlin]], a French structural engineer who played an important role in the design and construction of the [[Eiffel Tower]].<ref name=teh12/> Koechlin's parents are devotees of [[Sri Aurobindo]], and she spent a significant amount of her early childhood in [[Auroville]].<ref name=colourblind/><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 October 2017 |title=My Upbringing Helps Me Find My Voice And Opinion, Says Kalki Koechlin |url=http://www.news18.com/news/movies/my-upbringing-helps-me-find-my-voice-opinion-says-kalki-koechlin-1553193.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226234429/http://www.news18.com/news/movies/my-upbringing-helps-me-find-my-voice-opinion-says-kalki-koechlin-1553193.html |archive-date=26 December 2017 |access-date=26 December 2017 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref> The family later settled in Kallatty, a village near [[Ooty]], Tamil Nadu, where Koechlin's father established a business designing hang-gliders and ultralight aircraft.<ref name="teh12">{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Sunaina |date=2 June 2012 |title=Cinema: Fair Factor |volume=9 |work=[[Tehelka]] Magazine |issue=22 |url=http://www.tehelka.com/2012/06/fair-factor/?singlepage=1 |access-date=26 January 2016 |archive-date=2 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402032104/http://www.tehelka.com/2012/06/fair-factor/?singlepage=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="earlylife">{{Cite web |date=15 March 2013 |title=Kalki Koechlin |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/kalki-koechlin/story-S0TG6R7aiIQg1EbqF3QJrM.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223013257/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/kalki-koechlin/story-S0TG6R7aiIQg1EbqF3QJrM.html |archive-date=23 February 2016 |access-date=14 February 2016 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

Koechlin studied at [[Hebron School]], a boarding school in [[Ooty]], where she was involved in acting and writing. She has admitted to being shy and quiet as a child.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 June 2015 |title=Kalki Koechlin was 'shy' in school |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kalki-koechlin-was-shy-in-school/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317034258/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kalki-koechlin-was-shy-in-school/ |archive-date=17 March 2016 |access-date=14 February 2016 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> Koechlin aspired to study psychiatry and become a criminal psychologist.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2016 |title=Kalki Koechlin aspired to be criminal psychiatrist |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kalki-koechlin-aspired-to-be-criminal-psychiatrist-2818963/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731212218/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kalki-koechlin-aspired-to-be-criminal-psychiatrist-2818963/ |archive-date=31 July 2016 |access-date=17 July 2016 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> After completing her schooling at the age of 18, she moved to London and studied drama and theatre at [[Goldsmiths, University of London]]. There, she worked for two years with the theatre company Theatre of Relativity, writing ''The Rise of the Wild Hunt'' and performing in plays such as [[David Hare (playwright)|David Hare]]'s ''[[The Blue Room (play)|The Blue Room]]'' and [[Pierre de Marivaux|Marivaux]]'s ''[[La Dispute|The Dispute]]''.<ref name="life" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kalki Koechlin Biography |url=http://www.koimoi.com/actress/kalki-koechlin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219133030/http://www.koimoi.com/actress/kalki-koechlin/ |archive-date=19 February 2016 |access-date=20 January 2016 |publisher=[[Koimoi]]}}</ref> She worked as a waitress on weekends.<ref name="earlylife" />

===Acting debut and initialEarly work (2009–102009–2010)===

After moving to Mumbai, Koechlin auditioned for [[Anurag Kashyap]]'s black comedy-drama ''[[Dev.D]]'' (2009), a modern-day adaptation of [[Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay]]'s 1917 Bengali novel ''[[Devdas]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 June 2012 |title=Kalki Koechlin on being a bona fide Bollywood star |work=[[India Today]] |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kalki-koechlin-bollywood-dev-d-zindagi-na-milegi-dobara-shanghai/1/199377.html |url-status=live |access-date=17 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222120038/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kalki-koechlin-bollywood-dev-d-zindagi-na-milegi-dobara-shanghai/1/199377.html |archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref> Starring alongside [[Abhay Deol]] and [[Mahie Gill]], Koechlin plays the role of Leni / Chanda, a young woman who turns to prostitution after a leaked sex tape scandal. The character was based on [[Chandramukhi (character)|Chandramukhi]], a pivotal character in the novel, a [[Hooker with a heart of gold|prostitute]] who fell in love with the titular character.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 February 2009 |title=Dev D is inspired by 'rich city brats' |work=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]] |url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/EHUorKoEQAY93fAydkRrMN/Dev-D-is-inspired-by-8216rich-city-brats8217.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929044341/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/EHUorKoEQAY93fAydkRrMN/Dev-D-is-inspired-by-8216rich-city-brats8217.html |archive-date=29 September 2015}}</ref> Kashyap initially rejected Koechlin as she was not Indian, and did not match his visualisation of the character, but he changed his mind and offered her the role after seeing her audition tape.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 July 2014 |title=Kalki Koechlin: Anurag initially rejected me for 'Dev D' |work=The Indian Express |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kalki-koechlin-anurag-initially-rejected-me-for-dev-d/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305113935/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kalki-koechlin-anurag-initially-rejected-me-for-dev-d/ |archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref> The film opened to positive reviews from critics upon release, with particular praise for Koechlin's performance, which was described as "imbued [...] with a touching fragility"<ref name="baliga">{{Cite web |last=Baliga |first=Shashi |date=20 April 2009 |title=Review: Dev D |url=https://hindustantimes.com/india/review-dev-d/story-awziNSMsZrk5XNsldaTK2N.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624035704/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/review-dev-d/story-awziNSMsZrk5XNsldaTK2N.html |archive-date=24 June 2018 |access-date=24 June 2018 |website=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> and "astonishingly [appropriate]".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gupta |first=Shubhra |date=6 February 2009 |title=Movie Review: Dev D |work=The Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/movie-review-dev-d/419996/ |url-status=live |access-date=26 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305163701/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/movie-review-dev-d/419996/ |archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="devd">{{Cite news |date=27 February 2010 |title=Winners of 55th Idea Filmfare Awards 2009 |work=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/776/ |url-status=dead |access-date=28 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203075020/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/776/ |archive-date=3 February 2014}}</ref> Critics were more impressed by her character's complexity, but thought of Koechlin's performance in the film's first half as "amateurish".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chopra |first=Anupama |date=6 February 2009 |title=Dev D |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/dev-d-376 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222100921/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/dev-d-376 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=17 December 2015 |publisher=NDTV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Raja |date=6 February 2009 |title=Devdas Learns To Rock |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/feb/06review-dev-d.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601044801/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2009/feb/06review-dev-d.htm |archive-date=1 June 2016 |access-date=26 January 2016 |work=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Moreover, it emerged as a commercial success at the box-office, earning ₹208 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 February 2009 |title='Dev D' strikes gold at box office |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/dev-d-strikes-gold-at-box-office/story-2Chw50bNnZRlirtPWuBQFP.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807215301/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india/dev-d-strikes-gold-at-box-office/story-2Chw50bNnZRlirtPWuBQFP.html |archive-date=7 August 2016 |access-date=8 May 2016 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dev D - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=785 |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214055626/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=785 |url-status=live }}</ref> Koechlin's performance in the film earned her the [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress]].

Koechlin's only film appearance of 2010 was in a supporting role in the black comedy ''[[The Film Emotional Atyachar]]''. Co-starring [[Ranvir Shorey]], [[Vinay Pathak]] and [[Ravi Kishan]] among others, the film opened to mixed-t-negative reviews from critics, as did Koechlin's performance as a manipulative woman who is abducted by two corrupt policemen.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Film Emotional Atyachar (2010) |work=Bollywood Hungama |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/537127 |url-status=dead |access-date=17 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222075828/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/537127 |archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="tfea">{{Cite web |last=Chettiar |first=Blessy |date=2 September 2010 |title=Review: 'Emotional Atyachar' is only for the mature |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-review-emotional-atyachar-is-only-for-the-mature-1432768 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125121804/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-review-emotional-atyachar-is-only-for-the-mature-1432768 |archive-date=25 November 2016 |access-date=2 April 2016 |website=[[Daily News and Analysis]]}}</ref> [[Komal Nahta]] of ''[[Koimoi]]'' labelled her performance as "strictly average", while Blessyy Chettiar of ''[[Daily News and Analysis]]'' felt that she was underused.<ref name="tfea" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nahta |first=Komal |date=3 September 2010 |title=Komal Nahta's Review: The Film Emotional Atyachar |url=http://www.koimoi.com/reviews/komal-nahtas-review-the-film-emotional-atyachar/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415225831/http://www.koimoi.com/reviews/komal-nahtas-review-the-film-emotional-atyachar/ |archive-date=15 April 2016 |access-date=2 April 2016 |publisher=Koimoi}}</ref> Koechlin was next committed to star in ''I am Afia'', one of the four segments of [[Onir]]'s anthology film ''[[I Am (2010 Indian film)|I Am]]'', but it went into production with a modified plot for the segment.<ref name="afia">{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Pratim |date=16 February 2010 |title=Here comes afia |url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100216/jsp/entertainment/story_12108888.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220114938/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100216/jsp/entertainment/story_12108888.jsp |archive-date=20 December 2016 |access-date=8 December 2016 |website=[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]]}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[The Telegraph (India)|The Telegraph]]'', Onir said, "as we discussed the subject more and more, both Koechlin and me felt that the narrative was becoming too hurried in the 25-minute limit".<ref name="afia" /> Koechlin, who was to play the role of an [[Non-governmental organization|NGO]] worker in the film was ultimately replaced by [[Nandita Das]], after the change of plot.<ref name="afia" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 September 2009 |title=I want to play strong-headed roles: Kalki Koechlin |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-i-want-to-play-strong-headed-roles-kalki-koechlin-1287559 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209225219/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-i-want-to-play-strong-headed-roles-kalki-koechlin-1287559 |archive-date=9 December 2017 |access-date=8 December 2016 |website=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref>

===Breakthrough and commercial success (2011–142011–2014)===

After facing some early struggle for film roles, Koechlin had four film releases in 2011, garnering widespread praise for her performances in them.<ref name="earlylife" /> The first was [[Bejoy Nambiar]]'s crime thriller ''[[Shaitan (film)|Shaitan]]'', alongside an ensemble cast of [[Rajeev Khandelwal]], [[Gulshan Devaiah]], [[Shiv Panditt]], [[Neil Bhoopalam]], [[Kirti Kulhari]], [[Rajit Kapoor]], [[Pawan Malhotra]] and [[Rajkummar Rao]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Raja |date=10 June 2011 |title=Review: Shaitan is more SprayTan than Satan |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-shaitan/20110610.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612231723/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-shaitan/20110610.htm |archive-date=12 June 2011 |access-date=10 June 2011 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref> Based on the 2007 [[murder of Adnan Patrawala]] incident, the film told the story of five friends who get embroiled in a crime. She played the role of a disturbed teenager and called it an "exhausting experience", saying that she felt drained while trying to, "get into a psyche of someone who does a lot of drugs and booze, has lost her mind a little bit and is very vulnerable".<ref name="roles">{{Cite web |last=Patcy |first=N |date=1 June 2016 |title='It's a relief to be Kalki again' |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/its-a-relief-to-be-kalki-again/20160601.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220084142/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/its-a-relief-to-be-kalki-again/20160601.htm |archive-date=20 December 2016 |access-date=9 December 2016 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref> The film opened to positive reviews from critics upon release, with high praise for Koechlin's performance, with [[Raja Sen]] calling her "an increasingly striking actress".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Sanjukta |date=10 June 2011 |title=Film Review Shaitan Hip, Half-Hearted Evil |url=http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/yCauXNzGZISKeBauPv7tUK/Film-Review-Shaitan--Hip-halfhearted-evil.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216120301/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/yCauXNzGZISKeBauPv7tUK/Film-Review-Shaitan--Hip-halfhearted-evil.html |archive-date=16 February 2018 |access-date=22 July 2017 |website=[[Livemint]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Raja |date=10 June 2011 |title=Review: Shaitan is more SprayTan than Satan |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-shaitan/20110610.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612231723/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-shaitan/20110610.htm |archive-date=12 June 2011 |access-date=22 July 2017 |work=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> It emerged as a moderate commercial success at the box-office, grossing ₹390 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shaitan - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=68 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214055623/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=68 |url-status=live }}</ref> Koechlin's performance in the film earned her a first nomination for the [[Screen Award for Best Actress]].<ref name="screenawards">{{Cite news |date=6 January 2012 |title=Nominations for 18th Annual Colors Screen Awards 2012 |work=Bollywood Hungama |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2951 |url-status=dead |access-date=24 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121053726/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2951 |archive-date=21 January 2016}}</ref>

Koechlin next starred in [[Zoya Akhtar]]'s ensemble [[coming-of-age film|coming-of-age]] romantic comedy-drama ''[[Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara]]'' alongside an ensemble cast of [[Hrithik Roshan]], Deol, [[Farhan Akhtar]] and [[Katrina Kaif]]. Akhtar had expressed her wish to work with Koechlin in a prior interview with ''[[NDTV]]'', having seen her in ''Dev.D'' and the then-unreleased ''[[That Girl in Yellow Boots]]'' (2011).<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 July 2011 |title=Zoya is all praises for Katrina and Kalki |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/zoya-is-all-praises-for-katrina-and-kalki-600730 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921150746/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/zoya-is-all-praises-for-katrina-and-kalki-600730 |archive-date=21 September 2015 |access-date=21 July 2011 |publisher=NDTV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/zindagi_na_milegi_dobara/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425162539/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/zindagi_na_milegi_dobara |archive-date=25 April 2016 |access-date=25 April 2016 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> Revolving around the story of three childhood friends who take a three-week road trip in [[Spain]], the film saw her portray a [[South Mumbai|South Bombay]] interior designer, who is slightly posessivepossessive of her fiance. Koechlin, who took diction classes for the role which required her to speak accented [[Hindi]], revealed that she was keen to do the film because her work in such projects as ''Dev.D'' and ''Shaitan'' had led her to being [[Typecasting (acting)|typecast]] in dark roles of prostitutes, troubled teenagers, and social misfits.<ref name="colourblind" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2011 |title='I had to work with a diction teacher for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-with-kalki-koechlin-on-shaitan/20110606.htm#4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306163226/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-with-kalki-koechlin-on-shaitan/20110606.htm |archive-date=6 March 2016 |access-date=3 April 2016 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref> The film received to widespread critical acclaim upon release, with high praise directed towards Koechlin's performance. Gaurav Malani of ''[[The Times of India]]'' deemed her "excellent", and Raja Sen in his review for ''[[Rediff.com]]'' noted her as "histrionically strong enough to manage varied roles".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malani |first=Gaurav |date=15 July 2011 |title=Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara: Movie Review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Zindagi-Na-Milegi-Dobara-Movie-Review/articleshow/9233774.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150124201258/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Zindagi-Na-Milegi-Dobara-Movie-Review/articleshow/9233774.cms |archive-date=24 January 2015 |access-date=1 May 2016 |website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Raja |date=15 July 2011 |title=Raja Sen reviews Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-zindagi-na-milegi-dobara-raja/20110715.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804003822/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-zindagi-na-milegi-dobara-raja/20110715.htm |archive-date=4 August 2016 |access-date=1 May 2016 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref> With worldwide collections of {{INRConvert|1.53|b}}, ''Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara'' emerged as a major blockbuster at the box-office, ranking as the [[List of Hindi films of 2011|fifth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year]] and [[List of highest-grossing Hindi films|one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of all time]].<ref name="boiworldwidegross">{{Cite web |last=BOI Trade Network |date=3 February 2012 |title=Top Worldwide Grossers ALL TIME: 37 Films Hit 100 Crore |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/arounddetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=3997&nCat= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205213224/http://boxofficeindia.com/arounddetail.php?page=shownews&articleid=3997&nCat= |archive-date=5 February 2012 |access-date=3 February 2012 |publisher=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=33 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com}}</ref> The film earned Koechlin her second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.<ref name="znmd">{{Cite news |date=11 January 2012 |title=Nominations for 57th Idea Filmfare Awards 2011 |work=Bollywood Hungama |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2974 |url-status=dead |access-date=28 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125084913/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/2974 |archive-date=25 January 2012}}</ref>

Koechlin expanded her career into screenwriting with Kashyap's crime thriller ''That Girl in Yellow Boots''. She said that Kashyap asked her to write the script for the film as he was looking for a woman's perspective for the story.<ref name="colourblind" /> Co-starring alongside [[Naseeruddin Shah]], the film saw her play a British woman who travels to Mumbai in search of her biological father. The role was partially based on her own experience as a 'white-girl' in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 September 2011 |title=Kashyap talks about Yellow Boots |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-with-anurag-kashyap/20110902.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603143243/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-with-anurag-kashyap/20110902.htm |archive-date=3 June 2015 |access-date=27 March 2015 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref> Shot in a short duration of thirteen days, the film was screened at the [[2010 Toronto International Film Festival]] and the [[67th Venice International Film Festival]], among other venues.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 August 2011 |title=Anurag doesnt want me to act and write together |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-kalki-koechlin/20110829.htm#3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105191412/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-kalki-koechlin/20110829.htm |archive-date=5 January 2016 |access-date=16 December 2015 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=12 August 2011 |title='That Girl in Yellow Boots' first look revealed |work=Mid Day |url=http://archive.mid-day.com/entertainment/2011/aug/120811-That-Girl-In-Yellow-Boots-first-look-revealed.htm |url-status=live |access-date=26 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227084543/http://archive.mid-day.com/entertainment/2011/aug/120811-That-Girl-In-Yellow-Boots-first-look-revealed.htm |archive-date=27 February 2014}}</ref> It opened to critical acclaim, with Koechlin receiving high praise for her performance. Giving the film 3.5 stars out of 4, [[Roger Ebert]] wrote that Koechlin "creates a memorable woman who is sad and old beyond her years".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |date=14 December 2011 |title=That Girl in Yellow Boots |url=http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/that-girl-in-yellow-boots-2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020102756/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/that-girl-in-yellow-boots-2011 |archive-date=20 October 2013 |access-date=3 March 2012 |website=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]}}</ref> Sukanya Verma of ''Rediff.com'' described Koechlin as "unrestrained and uncorrupted".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Sukanya |date=2 September 2011 |title=Review: That Girl In Yellow Boots is edgy |url=http://m.rediff.com/movies/review/review-that-girl-in-yellow-boots-is-unconventional/20110902.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416024953/http://m.rediff.com/movies/review/review-that-girl-in-yellow-boots-is-unconventional/20110902.htm |archive-date=16 April 2016 |access-date=4 April 2016 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref> ''NDTV'' film critic Saibal Chatterjee also lauded the film and deemed her performance as "absolute perfection".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chatterjee |first=Saibal |date=1 September 2011 |title=Review: That Girl In Yellow Boots |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/review-that-girl-in-yellow-boots-649 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419135019/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/review-that-girl-in-yellow-boots-649 |archive-date=19 April 2016 |access-date=4 April 2016 |publisher=NDTV}}</ref> However, the film emerged as a commercial failure at the box-office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=That Girl in Yellow Boots - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=831 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214055624/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=831 |url-status=live }}</ref> Koechlin's final release of the year was as an aspiring dance in the [[Sanjay Leela Bhansali]]-produced musical comedy ''[[My Friend Pinto]]'' opposite [[Prateik Babbar]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=My friend Pinto (2011) |work=Bollywood Hungama |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/515597 |url-status=dead |access-date=16 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222182643/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/cast/id/515597 |archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref> The film emerged as a critical and commercial disaster at the box-office.<ref name="pinto">{{Cite web |last=Dhaniwala |first=Mrigank |date=14 October 2011 |title=My Friend Pinto Review |url=http://www.koimoi.com/reviews/my-friend-pinto-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512200010/http://www.koimoi.com/reviews/my-friend-pinto-review/ |archive-date=12 May 2016 |access-date=27 April 2016 |publisher=Koimoi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kalki: I'm not that much of a Shaitan |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-with-kalki-koechlin-on-shaitan/20110606.htm#2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306163226/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-interview-with-kalki-koechlin-on-shaitan/20110606.htm |archive-date=6 March 2016 |access-date=26 April 2016 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=My Friend Pinto - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=845 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com |archive-date=8 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108161705/http://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=845 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The following year, Koechlin starred alongside Deol and [[Emraan Hashmi]] for [[Dibakar Banerjee]]'s political thriller ''[[Shanghai (2012 film)|Shanghai]]''. Based on the Greek writer [[Vassilis Vassilikos]]'s 1967 novel ''Z'' (made into a [[Z (1969 film)|movie of the same name]]), the film premiered at the [[2012 Toronto International Film Festival|2012 Toronto Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=15 September 2012 |title=Toronto 2012: Bollywood's Dibakar Banerjee on Shooting the Action Thriller 'Shanghai' in a Haze |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/toronto-2012-bollywoods-dibakar-banerjee-370577 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924204221/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/toronto-2012-bollywoods-dibakar-banerjee-370577 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=31 May 2015 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Koechlin portrayed the role of a political activist, which she found challenging. She said that the character was, "someone who is not an accepted person [...] an outsider".<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2011 |title='Shanghai' pushed me to my limits: Kalki Koechlin |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/shanghai-pushed-me-to-my-limits-kalki-koechlin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512115041/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/shanghai-pushed-me-to-my-limits-kalki-koechlin/ |archive-date=12 May 2015 |access-date=24 July 2017 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 May 2012 |title=I'm awkward in 'Shanghai': Kalki Koechlin |url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/im-awkward-in-shanghai-kalki-koechlin-476409.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216120302/http://www.news18.com/news/india/im-awkward-in-shanghai-kalki-koechlin-476409.html |archive-date=16 February 2018 |access-date=24 July 2017 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 February 2012 |title=Kalki enjoys playing a student activist in film 'Shanghai' |work=The Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/kalki-enjoys-playing-a-student-activist-in-film-shanghai/910504/1 |url-status=live |access-date=13 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216120301/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/kalki-enjoys-playing-a-student-activist-in-film-shanghai/910504/1 |archive-date=16 February 2018}}</ref> It received positive reviews from critics upon release; however Koechlin's performance received mixed reviews. While Russell Edwards noted the "biting edge" she brought to the role, Aniruddha Guha thought of her as the "weakest link" in the film.<ref name="guha">{{Cite web |last=Guha |first=Aniruddha |date=8 June 2012 |title=Review: 'Shanghai' is powerful cinema |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-review-shanghai-is-powerful-cinema-1699175 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125164933/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-review-shanghai-is-powerful-cinema-1699175 |archive-date=25 November 2016 |access-date=4 April 2016 |website=Daily News Analysis}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Russell |date=25 June 2012 |title=Review: 'Shanghai' |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/shanghai-1117947813/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604124457/http://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/shanghai-1117947813/ |archive-date=4 June 2016 |access-date=7 May 2016 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref name="earlylife" /> ''Shanghai'' emerged as a [[sleeper hit]] at the box-office, grossing {{INRConvert|355|m}} worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thakkar |first=Mehul |date=13 June 2012 |title=Shanghai surprises Bollywood trade gurus |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Shanghai-surprises-Bollywood-trade-gurus/articleshow/14084515.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/2017110210432320180102033428/https://m.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Shanghai-surprises-Bollywood-trade-gurus/articleshow/14084515.cms |archive-date=2 NovemberJanuary 20172018 |access-date=1 October 2016 |website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Shanghai |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=178 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704203717/http://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=178 |archive-date=4 July 2017 |access-date=7 July 2017 |publisher=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref>

Koechlin's commercial success continued with both of her 2013 releases, the supernatural thriller ''[[Ek Thi Daayan]]'' and the ensemble coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama ''[[Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani]]''. ''Ek Thi Daayan'' was based on ''Mobius Trips'', a short story written by Mukul Sharma, the father of [[Konkona Sen Sharma]], who also starred in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 April 2013 |title=Read the story that inspired 'Ek Thi Daayan' |url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/read-the-story-that-inspired-ek-thi-daayan-605057.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603024745/http://www.news18.com/news/india/read-the-story-that-inspired-ek-thi-daayan-605057.html |archive-date=3 June 2016 |access-date=13 December 2015 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref> Koechlin played the role of a Canada-based music teacher who is suspected of practising [[witchcraft]]. For her role in the film, she learned to play the guitar, and [[lip sync]]ed "Yaaram", one of the film's tracks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thakur |first=Charu |date=17 April 2013 |title=Revealed! Kalki Koechlin's creepy role in 'Ek Thi Daayan' |url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/revealed-kalki-koechlins-creepy-role-in-ek-thi-daayan-603559.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427100111/http://www.news18.com/news/india/revealed-kalki-koechlins-creepy-role-in-ek-thi-daayan-603559.html |archive-date=27 April 2016 |access-date=3 April 2016 |website=News18}}</ref> The film received positive reviews from critics upon release, with Koechlin's performance receiving mixed reviews, with critic [[Anupama Chopra]] remarking that she was "an interesting actor but the film doesn't know what to do with her".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chopra |first=Anupama |date=20 April 2013 |title=Anupama Chopra's review: Ek Thi Daayan |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/anupama-chopra-s-review-ek-thi-daayan/story-KYNThadvx89BWqiE3O5B8L.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531153149/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/anupama-chopra-s-review-ek-thi-daayan/story-KYNThadvx89BWqiE3O5B8L.html |archive-date=31 May 2016 |access-date=16 April 2016 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> It emerged as a moderate commercial success at the box-office, grossing over {{INRConvert|402|m}} worldwide.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 April 2013 |title=Critics' review: Ek Thi Daayan is a blend of horror, psycho thriller |work=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/critics-review-ek-thi-daayan-is-a-blend-of-horror-psycho-thriller/story-sdVsqM9dgZoC5QZK3JqmXK.html |url-status=live |access-date=29 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222155546/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/critics-review-ek-thi-daayan-is-a-blend-of-horror-psycho-thriller/story-sdVsqM9dgZoC5QZK3JqmXK.html |archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ek Thi Daayan |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=388 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709084727/http://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=388 |archive-date=9 July 2017 |access-date=24 July 2017 |publisher=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ek Thi Daayan - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=388 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com |archive-date=9 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709084727/http://boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=388 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Koechlin's only film appearance in 2014 was in the romantic comedy ''[[Happy Ending (film)|Happy Ending]]'' opposite [[Saif Ali Khan]], in which she played the comic role of an obsessive girlfriend. She credited her performance in ''Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani'' for landing her the role, and stated that people noticed her comic timing in the film, which worked in her favour.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 November 2014 |title=Happy Ending is a spoof on Bollywood, says actress Kalki Koechlin |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/happy-ending-is-a-spoof-on-bollywood-says-actress-kalki-koechlin/1/398655.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416215625/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/happy-ending-is-a-spoof-on-bollywood-says-actress-kalki-koechlin/1/398655.html |archive-date=16 April 2016 |access-date=3 April 2016 |website=India Today}}</ref> Described as a "spoof on the film industry and on all the romantic comedies", the film opened to mixed-to-positive reviews from critics upon release, with Koechlin's performance receiving praise. Saurabh Dwivedi of ''[[India Today]]'' wrote that "Koechlin steals the show with her perfect portrayal of a nagging girlfriend", and Rohit Vats of ''Hindustan Times'' noted that, although her character in the film felt a bit forced, she delivered a "charming" performance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dwivedi |first=Saurabh |date=21 November 2014 |title=Movie review: Happy Ending is predictable with no happy ending |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/happy-ending-saif-ali-khan-ileana-d-cruz-govinda-movie-review/1/403159.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426230305/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/happy-ending-saif-ali-khan-ileana-d-cruz-govinda-movie-review/1/403159.html |archive-date=26 April 2016 |access-date=14 April 2016 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vats |first=Rohit |date=23 November 2014 |title=Happy Ending review: This Saif flick is a mixture of films it criticises |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/happy-ending-review-this-saif-flick-is-a-mixture-of-films-it-criticises/story-68TRIkINVpb47jyxD2VLAN.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513043508/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/happy-ending-review-this-saif-flick-is-a-mixture-of-films-it-criticises/story-68TRIkINVpb47jyxD2VLAN.html |archive-date=13 May 2016 |access-date=14 April 2016 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 November 2014 |title='Happy Ending' is a spoof on Bollywood, says actress Kalki Koechlin |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-happy-ending-is-a-spoof-on-bollywood-says-actress-kalki-koechlin-2031145 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705110620/http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-happy-ending-is-a-spoof-on-bollywood-says-actress-kalki-koechlin-2031145 |archive-date=5 July 2015 |access-date=5 May 2017 |website=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref> Despite positive reviews, it emerged as a below-average grosser at the box-office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Happy Ending - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2410 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214055628/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=2410 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Critical acclaim and expansionstreaming into OTTprojects (2015–present)===

Koechlin appeared alongside [[Parineeti Chopra]], [[Richa Chadda]], and [[Bhumi Pednekar]] in [[Y-Films]]'s mini web-series ''Man's World'', a satire on [[gender role]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 September 2015 |title=Bollywood celebs bat for gender equality with 'Man's World' |work=The Indian Express |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/bollywood-celebs-bat-for-gender-equality-with-mans-world/ |url-status=live |access-date=18 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028052901/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/bollywood-celebs-bat-for-gender-equality-with-mans-world/ |archive-date=28 October 2015}}</ref> The series was released on YouTube in April 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gera |first=Sonal |date=25 December 2015 |title=This is what it takes to be a woman: YRF's web series 'Man's World' premieres with a bang |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/this-is-what-it-takes-to-be-a-woman-yrfs-web-series-mans-world-premieres-with-a-bang/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505182211/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/this-is-what-it-takes-to-be-a-woman-yrfs-web-series-mans-world-premieres-with-a-bang/ |archive-date=5 May 2016 |access-date=8 April 2016 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Basu |first=Nilanjana |date=27 September 2015 |title=Parineeti, Kalki, Richa Show it is So Not a Man's World in Trailer |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/parineeti-kalki-richa-show-it-is-so-not-a-mans-world-in-trailer-1223420 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009021923/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/parineeti-kalki-richa-show-it-is-so-not-a-mans-world-in-trailer-1223420 |archive-date=9 October 2015 |access-date=18 October 2015 |publisher=NDTV}}</ref> She next starred in Anu Menon's comedy-drama ''[[Waiting (2015 film)|Waiting]]'' (2016), which depicted the relationship between two people who befriend each other in a hospital, while nursing their respective comatose spouses.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 November 2014 |title=Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah to star in Waiting |work=Bollywood Hungama |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2701602/Kalki-Koechlin-and-Naseeruddin-Shah-to-star-in-Waiting |url-status=dead |access-date=23 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128185643/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2701602/Kalki-Koechlin-and-Naseeruddin-Shah-to-star-in-Waiting |archive-date=28 January 2016}}</ref> For her role of a young and brash social media-savvy, Koechlin dyed her hair black, as Menon wanted her to look more "earthy".<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 November 2014 |title=Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah to star in Waiting |work=Bollywood Hungama |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2701602/Kalki-Koechlin-and-Naseeruddin-Shah-to-star-in-Waiting |url-status=dead |access-date=25 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128185643/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2701602/Kalki-Koechlin-and-Naseeruddin-Shah-to-star-in-Waiting |archive-date=28 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2016 |title=Kalki Koechlin Describes Working With Naseeruddin Shah in Waiting |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/kalki-koechlin-describes-working-with-naseeruddin-shah-in-waiting-1403063 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809162655/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/kalki-koechlin-describes-working-with-naseeruddin-shah-in-waiting-1403063 |archive-date=9 August 2016 |access-date=25 October 2016 |publisher=[[NDTV]]}}</ref> The film had its world premiere at the [[Dubai International Film Festival]] (DIFF) in December 2015, and had its theatrical release in India on 27 May 2016.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com 49981949">{{Cite news |date=1 December 2015 |title=Kalki Koechlin and Naseeruddin Shah's film 'Waiting' to premiere in Dubai |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Kalki-Koechlin-and-Naseeruddin-Shahs-film-Waiting-to-premiere-in-Dubai/articleshow/49981949.cms |url-status=live |access-date=23 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222140044/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Kalki-Koechlin-and-Naseeruddin-Shahs-film-Waiting-to-premiere-in-Dubai/articleshow/49981949.cms |archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="Waiting">{{Cite web |last=Radhakrishnan |first=Manjusha |date=12 December 2015 |title=Diff 2015: Kalki Koechlin on her indie film 'Waiting' |url=http://gulfnews.com/leisure/movies/dubai-international-film-festival/diff-2015-kalki-koechlin-on-her-indie-film-waiting-1.1635838 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131034835/http://gulfnews.com/leisure/movies/dubai-international-film-festival/diff-2015-kalki-koechlin-on-her-indie-film-waiting-1.1635838 |archive-date=31 January 2016 |access-date=23 January 2016 |website=[[Gulf News]]}}</ref><ref name="releasenew">{{Cite web |last=Chandel |first=Rajani |date=22 April 2016 |title=WATCH: Trailer of 'Waiting' will move you to tears |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/WATCH-Trailer-of-Waiting-will-move-you-to-tears/articleshow/51942910.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426162019/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/WATCH-Trailer-of-Waiting-will-move-you-to-tears/articleshow/51942910.cms |archive-date=26 April 2016 |access-date=22 April 2016 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> It opened to critical acclaim upon release, as did Koechlin's performance. Sukanya Verma of ''[[Rediff.com]]'' called the film "absolutely riveting", and also lauded the "stunningly unhindered" Koechlin writing that she used her aura, "in the most mesmeric fashion to create a woman we sympathise with and wish well for".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sukanya |first=Verma |date=27 May 2016 |title=Review: Naseer-Kalki's Waiting is absolutely riveting! |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-naseer-kalkis-waiting-is-absolutely-riveting/20160527.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530151546/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-naseer-kalkis-waiting-is-absolutely-riveting/20160527.htm |archive-date=30 May 2016 |access-date=28 May 2016 |work=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Film critic Kunal Guha thought that film belonged to Koechlin who, "impresses by managing to wordlessly convey her character's state of mind in every scene".<ref name="mm">{{Cite web |last=Guha |first=Kunal |date=27 May 2016 |title=Film Review: Waiting |url=http://www.mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/movie-review/Film-review-Waiting/articleshow/52458490.cms? |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528143007/http://mumbaimirror.com/entertainment/movie-review/Film-review-Waiting/articleshow/52458490.cms |archive-date=28 May 2016 |access-date=28 May 2016 |website=[[Mumbai Mirror]]}}</ref> Despite positive reviews, ''Waiting'' emerged as a below-average grosser at the box-office.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waiting - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3289 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214055629/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3289 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Koechlin appeared in two documentary films in 2016{{emdash}}''Freedom Matters'', a project aimed at spreading awareness on [[human trafficking]], and ''Living Shakespeare'', a [[BBC]] production where she drew parallels between [[Ophelia]] and Indian women.<ref name="fm">{{Cite web |date=18 February 2016 |title=Slaves in the free world |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/pankhuri-agarwal-on-her-documentary-freedom-matters-which-is-about-human-trafficking/article8252964.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216120301/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/pankhuri-agarwal-on-her-documentary-freedom-matters-which-is-about-human-trafficking/article8252964.ece |archive-date=16 February 2018 |access-date=19 June 2016 |website=The Hindu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosario |first=Kennith |date=16 October 2016 |title=Mirroring Ophelia |url=http://m.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/mirroring-ophelia/article9226019.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012033016/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/Mirroring-Ophelia/article16072520.ece |archive-date=12 October 2020 |access-date=16 October 2016 |website=The Hindu}}</ref> She was invited to be a part of the jury presided by Hungarian director [[Béla Tarr]], at the 2016 [[Marrakech International Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kalki Koechlin |url=http://www.festivalmarrakech.info/en/personnalite/kalki-koechlin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202002129/http://www.festivalmarrakech.info/en/personnalite/kalki-koechlin/ |archive-date=2 February 2017 |access-date=21 January 2017 |publisher=Marrakech International Film Festival}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 December 2016 |title=Kalki Koechlin hobnobs with biggies of world cinema at Marrakech film fest |url=http://m.hindustantimes.com/photos/world-cinema/kalki-koechlin-hobnobs-with-biggies-of-world-cinema-at-marrakech-film-fest/photo-DFjRH9VGwcX0KGtbtPT9SJ.html |access-date=21 January 2017 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> The 2016 [[Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image|Mumbai Film Festival]] saw the release of two of Koechlin's films—the acclaimed ''[[A Death in the Gunj]]'' and the panned ''[[Mantra (2016 film)|Mantra]]''. In the former, she played Mimi, a Kolkata-based [[Anglo-Indian]] woman, who seduces a younger disturbed teenager.<ref name="mongia">{{Cite web |last=Lohana |first=Avinash |date=11 December 2015 |title=Konkona Sen finds her heroine in Kalki Koechlin |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Konkona-Sen-finds-her-heroine-in-Kalki-Koechlin/articleshow/50132720.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202220911/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Konkona-Sen-finds-her-heroine-in-Kalki-Koechlin/articleshow/50132720.cms |archive-date=2 February 2017 |access-date=24 March 2016 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> To prepare for the role, she attended an acting workshop conducted by the film's casting director, [[Atul Mongia]], and also learnt an Anglo-Indian accent.<ref name="mongia" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 February 2016 |title=Konkona Sen Sharma helping me to learn Anglo-Indian accent: Kalki Koechlin |work=The Indian Express |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/konkona-sen-sharma-helping-me-to-learn-anglo-indian-accent-kalki-koechlin/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314142244/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/konkona-sen-sharma-helping-me-to-learn-anglo-indian-accent-kalki-koechlin/ |archive-date=14 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="ganj">{{Cite news |date=7 March 2016 |title=It's a wrap for Konkona Sensharma's directorial debut |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=httphttps://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/070316/it-s-a-wrap-on-konkona-sensharma-s-directorial-debut.html |url-status=live |access-date=24 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310100233/http://deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/070316/it-s-a-wrap-on-konkona-sensharma-s-directorial-debut.html |archive-date=10 March 2016}}</ref> She thought of it unlike anything that she had done before, calling it "a very sexual, beautiful character".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mazumdar |first=Ankita |date=29 May 2016 |title=Kalki's wait-list |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1160529/jsp/t2/story_88172.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903052023/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160529/jsp/t2/story_88172.jsp#.V82jnstX7qC |archive-date=3 September 2016 |access-date=17 July 2017 |website=[[The Telegraph India]]}}</ref> ''A Death in the Gunj''<nowiki/>'s release was delayed on multiple occasions due to varying reasons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhatnagar |first=Rohit |date=26 April 2017 |title=Exclusive: Konkona-Kalki's A Death in the Gunj release delayed further |url=httphttps://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/260417/death-in-the-gunj-delayed-further.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430154848/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/260417/death-in-the-gunj-delayed-further.html |archive-date=30 April 2017 |access-date=4 May 2017 |website=Deccan Chronicles}}</ref> Critics, who were appreciative of Koechlin's performance, called her "ever dependable" and "a perfect fit".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Kamlesh |date=2 June 2017 |title=A Death in the Gunj movie review: A stunning debut from Konkona Sensharma |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/a-death-in-the-gunj-movie-review-konkona-sensharma/1/969301.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623195347/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/a-death-in-the-gunj-movie-review-konkona-sensharma/1/969301.html |archive-date=23 June 2017 |access-date=24 June 2017 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tulsiani |first=Kriti |date=2 June 2017 |title=A Death in the Gunj Review: Konkona Sen's Directorial Debut Is a Finely Crafted Piece of Cinematic Brilliance |url=http://www.news18.com/news/movies/a-death-in-the-gunj-review-konkona-sens-directorial-debut-is-a-finely-crafted-piece-of-cinematic-brilliance-1420483.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708080528/http://www.news18.com/news/movies/a-death-in-the-gunj-review-konkona-sens-directorial-debut-is-a-finely-crafted-piece-of-cinematic-brilliance-1420483.html |archive-date=8 July 2017 |access-date=24 June 2017 |website=News18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chhabra |first=Aseem |date=2 June 2017 |title=Review: Go, watch A Death in the Gunj |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-go-watch-a-death-in-the-gunj/20170602.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617033254/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-go-watch-a-death-in-the-gunj/20170602.htm |archive-date=17 June 2017 |access-date=24 June 2017 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref>

Koechlin played a French immigrant in [[Siddharth Sinha]]'s short film ''The Job'' (2018). Produced by Kushal Shrivastava, the production was a psychological thriller that was meant to be a critique of the corporate sector and its treatment of employees.<ref name="job">{{Cite news |date=17 June 2018 |title=Kalki Koechlin gives an edge to edginess in 'The Job' |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/kalki-koechlin-gives-an-edge-to-edginess-in-the-job-118061700285_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617115339/https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/kalki-koechlin-gives-an-edge-to-edginess-in-the-job-118061700285_1.html |archive-date=17 June 2018 |access-date=17 June 2018 |website=[[Business Standard]]}}</ref> Her performance in the film received praise, with writers ascribing the film's appeal to her persuasive performance.<ref name="job" /> Koechlin was awarded the [[Ordre des Arts et des Lettres|Order of Arts and Letters]] by the French governmengovernment, being presented the award formally by Alexandre Ziegler, the Ambassador of France to India.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purkayastha Dey |first=Pallabi |date=23 June 2018 |title=Kalki Koechlin conferred with French distinction Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, thanks family and friends |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kalki-koechlin-conferred-with-french-distinction-knight-of-the-order-of-arts-and-letters-thanks-family-and-friends/articleshow/64708025.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716233118/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/kalki-koechlin-conferred-with-french-distinction-knight-of-the-order-of-arts-and-letters-thanks-family-and-friends/articleshow/64708025.cms |archive-date=16 July 2018 |access-date=23 June 2018 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

In 2019, Koechlin starred alongside [[Ranveer Singh]], [[Alia Bhatt]] and [[Siddhant Chaturvedi]] in Akhtar's musical drama ''[[Gully Boy]]'' as a record producer who has an affair with the titular character. The film emerged as a critical and commercial success at the box-office, grossing ₹2.22&nbsp;billion (US$31&nbsp;million) worldwide, ranking as the [[List of Hindi films of 2016|ninth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gully Boy - Movie - Box Office India |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=5602 |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=www.boxofficeindia.com |archive-date=4 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204112033/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=5602 |url-status=live }}</ref> The same year, she ventured into [[Over-the-top media service|OTT]] with the [[Amazon Prime Video]] romantic drama [[web series]] ''[[Made in Heaven (TV series)|Made in Heaven]]'' (2019–present), which was a dark take on the Big Fat Indian Wedding, human nature and greater social dynamics in Delhi. Starring alongside an ensemble cast of [[Sobhita Dhulipala]], [[Arjun Mathur]], [[Jim Sarbh]], [[Shashank Arora]] and [[Shivani Raghuvanshi]], Koechlin played the role of a woman deeply lodged in her insecurities under the guise of a confident socialite. The series received widespread critical acclaim upon release, with high praise directed towards Koechlin's performance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-03-08 |title=Made in Heaven review: Zoya gives Amazon Prime its best desi original yet |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/made-in-heaven-review-zoya-akhtar-does-it-again-gives-amazon-prime-its-best-desi-original-yet/story-YONq0QxcOSwHiLx7ftJb2J.html |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> She reprised her role in the second season which released in 2023. Later that year, she starred in the second season of [[Netflix]]'s [[neo-noir]] crime thriller web series ''[[Sacred Games (TV series)|Sacred Games]]'' (2018–19) as a self-styled godwoman alongside [[Saif Ali Khan]], [[Nawazuddin Siddiqui]], [[Pankaj Tripathi]] and [[Ranvir Shorey]]. The second season received mixed reviews from critics upon release, but praise was directed towards Koechlin's performance.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Sacred Games Season 2 Review : The second season has its moments but fails to leave an impression |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/hindi/sacred-games/Sacred-Games-Season-2/seasonreview/76182950.cms |access-date=2023-12-14 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127141716/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/hindi/sacred-games/Sacred-Games-Season-2/seasonreview/76182950.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Sacred Games' season 2 review: 'Blood and bore' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2019/aug/25/sacred-games-season-2-review-blood-and-bore-2022882.html |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=The New Indian Express |date=24 August 2019 |archive-date=14 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914020446/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2019/aug/25/sacred-games-season-2-review-blood-and-bore-2022882.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rao |first=Soumya |date=2019-08-16 |title=Review: 'Sacred Games' season 2 is too ambitious for its own good |url=https://scroll.in/reel/934063/review-sacred-games-season-2-is-too-ambitious-for-its-own-good |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US |archive-date=1 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210101163356/https://scroll.in/reel/934063/review-sacred-games-season-2-is-too-ambitious-for-its-own-good |url-status=live }}</ref> She followed it up with the [[ZEE5]] psychological horror thriller [[Bhram (web series)|''Bhram'']] (2019–present), which opened to mixed reviews.

In 2022, Koechlin starred in the English-language drama ''[[Goldfish (film)|Goldfish]]'', as a daughter attempting to confront the traumas of her childhood whilst tending to her mother suffering from [[dementia]] (played by [[Deepti Naval]]).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-26 |title=Release date locked for Kalki Koechlin, Deepti Naval’sNaval's Goldfish |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/release-date-locked-for-kalki-koechlin-deepti-navals-goldfish-8861218/ |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=28 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728205510/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/release-date-locked-for-kalki-koechlin-deepti-navals-goldfish-8861218/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film premiered at the [[27th Busan International Film Festival]] to critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-22 |title=Kalki Koechlin’sKoechlin's ‘Goldfish’'Goldfish', A Film About Dementia, To Have Its European Premiere At Raindance Film Festival |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/kalki-koechlin-s-goldfish-a-film-about-dementia-to-have-its-european-premiere-at-raindance-film-festival-news-225113 |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=[[Outlook India]] |language=en}}</ref> In her review for ''[[The Indian Express]]'', [[Shubhra Gupta]] praised Koechlin as "arresting [and] unvarnished [...] through the film".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-31 |title=Goldfish review: Kalki Koechlin-Deepti Naval film is about remembrance, forgetting and the power of love |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/goldfish-movie-review-kalki-koechlin-deepti-naval-remembrance-forgetting-power-of-love-8917294/ |access-date=2024-04-13 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en |archive-date=3 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103223914/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/goldfish-movie-review-kalki-koechlin-deepti-naval-remembrance-forgetting-power-of-love-8917294/ |url-status=live }}</ref> She then had a supporting role in the coming-of-age drama ''[[Kho Gaye Hum Kahan]]'' (2023) which starred Chaturvedi, [[Ananya Panday]] and [[Adarsh Gourav]] in lead roles. Directed by debutant Arjun Varain Singh, and written by Singh, Akhtar and [[Reema Kagti]], the film was released on Netflix. It received positive reviews from critics upon release, and Koechlin's portrayal of a photographer who engages in a relationship with a younger man received praise.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-26 |title=Honest Review: 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan' Has A Strong Message For Zillennials, But Are We Impressed? |url=https://www.idiva.com/entertainment/bollywood/bollywood-review-of-ananya-panday-siddhant-chaturvedi-and-adarsh-gouravs-kho-gaye-hum-kahan/18071907 |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=iDiva |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-26 |title=Ananya Panday, Siddhant Chaturvedi's Kho Gaye Hum Kahan Movie Review {{!}} Netflix |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/netflixs-kho-gaye-hum-kahan-movie-review-ananya-panday-siddhant-chaturvedi-adarsh-gouravs-film-is-a-reality-check-13544362.html |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-26 |title=Kho Gaye Hum Kahan Review: Ananya, Siddhant, Adarsh's Film Is A Subtle Reminder To Live In The Moment |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/web-series/kho-gaye-hum-kahan-movie-review-ananya-panday-siddhant-chaturvedi-adarsh-gourav-film-is-a-subtle-reminder-to-live-in-the-moment-imdb-rating-review-106274450 |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=TimesNow |language=en |archive-date=30 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230030151/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/reviews/web-series/kho-gaye-hum-kahan-movie-review-ananya-panday-siddhant-chaturvedi-adarsh-gourav-film-is-a-subtle-reminder-to-live-in-the-moment-imdb-rating-review-106274450 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-27 |title=Kho Gaye Hum Kahan Review: Life in the times of scrolling timelines - Tbreak Media |url=https://tbreak.com/tv/kho-gaye-hum-kahan-review/ |access-date=2023-12-30 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Koechlin made her directorial debut on stage with the 2015 play ''[[Living Room (2015 play)|Living Room]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jayaraman |first=Gayatri |date=18 June 2015 |title=Resurrected in peace |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kalki-koechlin-debut-for-the-stage-the-living-room/1/445485.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815162749/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kalki-koechlin-debut-for-the-stage-the-living-room/1/445485.html |archive-date=15 August 2016 |access-date=22 June 2016 |website=[[India Today]]}}</ref> Development of the play began in 2014, when Koechlin wrote a four-page conversation between [[DeathPersonifications (personification)of death|Death]] and an old woman who is in a strange surreal space, about to die but unwilling to exit the world. She further worked on the script of the play in 2015. In a 2016 interview with ''[[Mumbai Mirror]]'' she said, "Last year, when I was unemployed for six months, I started fleshing out the story. It turned into a comedy on life and death".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhattacharya |first=Roshmila |author-link=Roshmila Bhattacharya |date=3 July 2015 |title=Kalki Koechlin's debut as a director on stage |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/theatre/Kalki-Koechlins-debut-as-a-director-on-stage/articleshow/47920646.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216170756/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/theatre/Kalki-Koechlins-debut-as-a-director-on-stage/articleshow/47920646.cms |archive-date=16 December 2015 |access-date=22 June 2016 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The play was staged at the [[Ranga Shankara|Ranga Shankara Hall]], Bangalore<!-- DO NOT LINK, see [[MOS:GEOLINK]] for further guidance -->, on 24 July 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhalla |first=Simran |title=Kalki Koechlin directs her first play |url=http://elle.in/culture/kalki-koechlin-directs-her-first-play/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821140326/http://elle.in/culture/kalki-koechlin-directs-her-first-play/ |archive-date=21 August 2016 |access-date=22 June 2016 |website=Elle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ganesh |first=Dipa |date=31 July 2016 |title=When you have death as visitor |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/theatre/kalki-koechlins-play-the-living-room/article7481527.ece |access-date=22 June 2016 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Koechlin also worked in [[Rajat Kapoor]]'s ''What's Done, Is Done'', an adaptation of Shakespeare's tragedy ''[[Macbeth]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 June 2016 |title=You won't be able to recognize Kalki Koechlin in this new look! |url=httphttps://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/060616/you-won-t-be-able-to-recognize-kalki-koechlin-in-this-new-look.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606202747/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/060616/you-won-t-be-able-to-recognize-kalki-koechlin-in-this-new-look.html |archive-date=6 June 2016 |access-date=6 June 2016 |website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> She played [[Lady Macbeth]] and doubled up as one of [[Three Witches|the witches]] for the play.<ref name="biking">{{Cite web |last=Chatterjee |first=Arundhati |date=2 June 2016 |title=Film, theatre, 4,000km biking expedition: Kalki Koechlin is busier than ever |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/film-theatre-4-000km-biking-expedition-kalki-koechlin-is-busier-than-ever/story-FaIUYNMMz7e2UkoEMWTcEL.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605233222/http://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/film-theatre-4-000km-biking-expedition-kalki-koechlin-is-busier-than-ever/story-FaIUYNMMz7e2UkoEMWTcEL.html |archive-date=5 June 2016 |access-date=6 June 2016 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> The first show of the play was staged on 5 June 2016 in Mumbai.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 June 2016 |title=Kalki Koechlin Looks Unrecognizable in Her New Avatar! |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/10669 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607113145/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/10669 |archive-date=7 June 2016 |access-date=6 June 2016 |website=Bollywood Hungama}}</ref>

Koechlin identifies herself as a [[Feminism|feminist]] and extensively campaigns for the cause of [[gender equality]].<ref name="humanist" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bose |first=Adrija |date=9 March 2016 |title=Kalki Koechlin Talks About Feminism, Rape Culture And LGBT Rights in Reddit AMA |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/03/09/kalki-koechlin-reddit-ama_n_9414782.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609044745/http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/03/09/kalki-koechlin-reddit-ama_n_9414782.html |archive-date=9 June 2016 |access-date=12 June 2016 |website=HuffPost}}</ref> She wrote an article on [[Gender pay gap|gender pay-gap]] for 22 August 2014 issue of ''[[Forbes India]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koechlin |first=Kalki |date=21 August 2014 |title=Will the advance towards gender equality halt or be reversed? |url=http://forbesindia.com/article/independence-day-special/will-the-advance-towards-gender-equality-halt-or-be-reversed/38473/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423104742/http://forbesindia.com/article/independence-day-special/will-the-advance-towards-gender-equality-halt-or-be-reversed/38473/1 |archive-date=23 April 2016 |access-date=9 May 2016 |website=[[Forbes India]]}}</ref> and is vocal in her support for the issue: "Equal pay won't happen because there is a hero-based industry [...] we need to strive for scripts that empower women, make women our heroes, too."<ref>{{Cite web |last=u/kalkikoechlin |date=2016-03-08 |title=Hello reddit! I am Kalki Koechlin. AMA! |url=http://www.reddit.com/r/india/comments/49i93f/hello_reddit_i_am_kalki_koechlin_ama/d0rzpdr/ |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=[[Reddit]] r/india forum |quote=equal {{sic}} pay won't happen because there is a hero based industry, only when women are pulling in people to the cinemas in leading roles like deepika in piku, and only when this is no longer the exception but the norm, can we expect equal pay. so {{sic}} we need to strive for scripts that empower women, make women our heros {{sic}} too. |archive-date=24 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224224724/https://www.reddit.com/r/india/comments/49i93f/hello_reddit_i_am_kalki_koechlin_ama/d0rzpdr/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-17 |title=Bollywood actress criticises stars for promoting 'fairness cream' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/bollywood-actress-criticises-other-stars-for-promoting-fairness-creams-a6936286.html |access-date=2023-12-24 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=20 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320093043/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/bollywood-actress-criticises-other-stars-for-promoting-fairness-creams-a6936286.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Koechlin has presented several monologues aimed at spreading public awareness, and has used YouTube as a platform or forum for issues that she advocates for.<ref name="fault" /><ref name="Kalki Koechlin attacks the " /> She appeared in [[Puma (brand)|Puma]]'s "Do You?" advertisement campaign which encouraged women to, "find their best self". Koechlin, alongside [[Jacqueline Fernandez]] and [[Sakshi Malik]] led a group of women at an event, organised as part of the movement, to break the [[Guinness World Record]] of "Most people to hold the abdominal plank position" for 1 minute.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2016 |title=When Jacqueline Fernandez, Kalki Koechlin, Sakshi Malik and hundreds of women created a Guinness World Record |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/jacqueline-kalki-sakshi-malik-tried-breaking-the-guinness-world-records-of-holding-a-plank-3741139/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630185037/http://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/jacqueline-kalki-sakshi-malik-tried-breaking-the-guinness-world-records-of-holding-a-plank-3741139/ |archive-date=30 June 2017 |access-date=22 June 2017 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> She has been appointed as the ambassador of such campaigns as ''[[Vogue India]]''{{'}}s "Vogue Empower" and [[United Colors of Benetton]]'s "#Unitedbyhalf", initiatives aimed at spreading awareness on issues of women's safety and gender equality respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 August 2014 |title=Kalki Ko echlin debuts her feminist monologue in Mumbai |url=http://www.vogue.in/content/kalki-koechlin-monologue-vogue-empower/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127122345/http://www.vogue.in/content/kalki-koechlin-monologue-vogue-empower/ |archive-date=27 January 2016 |access-date=21 January 2016 |website=[[Vogue India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2017 |title=United Colors of Benetton's Campaign #UnitedByHalf Shatters Gender Stereotypes in the Most Effective Way |url=http://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/united-colors-of-benettons-campaign-unitedbyhalf-shatters-gender-stereotypes-in-the-most-effective-way-1356651.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531085035/http://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/united-colors-of-benettons-campaign-unitedbyhalf-shatters-gender-stereotypes-in-the-most-effective-way-1356651.html |archive-date=31 May 2017 |access-date=22 June 2017 |website=News18}}</ref>

Koechlin's debut book ''Elephant in the Womb'' is expected to come out by the end of 2021. This illustrated non-fiction book will trace her personal experiences with pregnancy and motherhood. The illustrations are done by Valeriya Polyanychko and it will be published by Penguin Random House India.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=PTI |date=9 May 2021 |title='Elephant in the Womb': Kalki Koechlin turns author with book on motherhood |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/elephant-in-the-womb-kalki-koechlin-turns-author-with-book-on-motherhood/article34518999.ece |access-date=23 June 2021 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624212338/https://www.thehindu.com/books/books-authors/elephant-in-the-womb-kalki-koechlin-turns-author-with-book-on-motherhood/article34518999.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

Koechlin married filmmaker [[Anurag Kashyap]] in April 2011, at her maternal home in Ooty.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 May 2011 |title=Anurag kashyap married to kalki |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/meet-mr-and-mrs-anurag-kashyap/20110502.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403235843/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/meet-mr-and-mrs-anurag-kashyap/20110502.htm |archive-date=3 April 2015 |access-date=22 March 2015 |work=Rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2009 |title=Anurag Kashyap's girlfriend Kalki |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/anurag-kashyap-s-girlfriend-kalki-news-bollywood-kkfsz3hccfa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222103213/http://www.sify.com/movies/anurag-kashyap-s-girlfriend-kalki-news-bollywood-kkfsz3hccfa.html |archive-date=22 December 2015 |access-date=5 May 2015 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The two met while filming her debut film ''Dev.D''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 September 2011 |title=I create work for myself: Kalki Koechlin |url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/ENT-i-create-work-for-myself-kalki-koechlin-2433049.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310004616/http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/ENT-i-create-work-for-myself-kalki-koechlin-2433049.html |archive-date=10 March 2016 |access-date=21 January 2016 |website=Daily Bhaskar}}</ref> On 13 November 2013, Koechlin and Kashyap issued a joint statement addressing their separation.<ref name="PTI">{{Cite news |date=15 November 2013 |title=Marriage in trouble! Anurag Kashyap, Kalki Koechlin take time off from each other |work=India Today |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/anurag-kashyap-kalki-koechlin-seperating/1/322942.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115074350/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/anurag-kashyap-kalki-koechlin-seperating/1/322942.html |archive-date=15 November 2013}}</ref> On 19 May 2015, they filed for divorce at a Mumbai family court.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bajwa |first=Dimpal |date=31 March 2015 |title=Kalki Koechlin and husband Anurag Kashyap apply for divorce |work=The Indian Express |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kalki-koechlin-anurag-kashyap-apply-for-divorce/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150706121042/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/kalki-koechlin-anurag-kashyap-apply-for-divorce/ |archive-date=6 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2015 |title=Kalki Koechlin Confirms She and Anurag Have Applied For Divorce |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/the-end-kalki-koechlin-confirms-she-and-anurag-have-applied-for-divorce-751017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126164031/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/the-end-kalki-koechlin-confirms-she-and-anurag-have-applied-for-divorce-751017 |archive-date=26 January 2016 |access-date=26 January 2016 |publisher=NDTV}}</ref> During the period between their separation and eventual divorce, the couple went through marriage counselling.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mukerji |first=Soumya |date=12 July 2015 |title=I went through marriage counselling, reveals Kalki Koechlin |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/i-went-through-marriage-counselling-reveals-kalki-koechlin/story-CUFn9Kbi5gCjqt6K2LrxZO.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116152223/http://www.hindustantimes.com/bollywood/i-went-through-marriage-counselling-reveals-kalki-koechlin/story-CUFn9Kbi5gCjqt6K2LrxZO.html |archive-date=16 January 2017 |access-date=13 January 2017 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Amidst all the news and speculation surrounding the separation, Koechlin revealed that she regretted being so transparent about her personal life, stating in 2012, "It just takes centre stage instead of your work".<ref name="colourblind" /> Since her divorce, she has rarely mentioned her personal life in public.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Das |first=Soumitra |date=20 June 2015 |title=Kalki Koechlin: I don't want my love life or my cat to be discussed! |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Kalki-Koechlin-I-dont-want-my-love-life-or-my-cat-to-be-discussed/articleshow/47745178.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803163149/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Kalki-Koechlin-I-dont-want-my-love-life-or-my-cat-to-be-discussed/articleshow/47745178.cms |archive-date=3 August 2018 |access-date=3 April 2016 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> [[Tabloid (newspaper format)|Tabloids]] have often linked her romantically with other Bollywood stars, but she has strongly denied any such rumours.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 May 2016 |title=With just one answer, Kalki Koechlin shuts down gossipmongers |url=httphttps://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/310516/with-just-one-answer-kalki-koechlin-shuts-down-gossipmongers.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118121819/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/310516/with-just-one-answer-kalki-koechlin-shuts-down-gossipmongers.html |archive-date=18 January 2017 |access-date=13 January 2017 |website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref> Koechlin adopted a [[Pet adoption|rescue cat]] named Dosa.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 July 2012 |title=PETAs new ad featuring Kalki |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/petas-new-ad-featuring-kalki/story-wP9ixsdLbDjE9ZZh8tVSbK.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116152112/http://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/petas-new-ad-featuring-kalki/story-wP9ixsdLbDjE9ZZh8tVSbK.html |archive-date=16 January 2017 |access-date=13 January 2017 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 November 2013 |title=Interview: Kalki dotes her cat Dosa |url=http://www.sify.com/news/interview-kalki-dotes-her-cat-dosa-news-entertainment-nl2oLRcagaasi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116153311/http://www.sify.com/news/interview-kalki-dotes-her-cat-dosa-news-entertainment-nl2oLRcagaasi.html |archive-date=16 January 2017 |access-date=13 January 2017 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

She stated in an interview with ''[[Daily News and Analysis]]'', that she was a victim of stereotypes in her teenage years and early film career, where she was stereotyped as a '"white girl" in India.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Gandhi |first=Forum |date=1 December 2014 |title=I was stereotyped as a 'white girl' says Kalki Koechlin... |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-i-was-stereotyped-as-a-white-girl-says-kalki-koechlin-2039997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925021350/http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-i-was-stereotyped-as-a-white-girl-says-kalki-koechlin-2039997 |archive-date=25 September 2015 |access-date=9 August 2020 |website=DNA India |language=en}}</ref> She goes on to say, "Even as an actor, you have days when you haven't slept enough, you don't feel like you're good enough or pretty enough&nbsp;... But ultimately, it's all about attitude. You must live with a little abandon and not be self-conscious. You ought to stop staring at yourself in the mirror, and just smile a little!"<ref name=":2" /> She acknowledged her share of confusion regarding her identity as a "white-skinned woman growing up in Tamil Nadu", who had to defend her "Indian-ness" at numerous occasions.<ref name="colourblind" /> In an interview with ''[[The Local]]'', she said of herself, "My skin is white, but my heart is brown."<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 May 2013 |title=France's complicated 'white girl' in Bollywood |url=https://www.thelocal.fr/20130503/frances-complicated-white-girl-in-bollywood/ |access-date=12 August 2022 |website=[[The Local]]}}</ref> She has a [[French passport]], and stated in an interview that she chose it over an [[Indian passport]] as it is easier to travel with the former.<ref name="passport">{{Cite web |last=Chabert |first=Fleur |title=Kalki Koechlin, la star française de Bollywood |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/leditiondusoir/data/751/reader/reader.html#!preferred/1/package/751/pub/752/page/17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160713174949/http://www.ouest-france.fr/leditiondusoir/data/751/reader/reader.html%23!preferred/1/package/751/pub/752/page/17 |archive-date=13 July 2016 |access-date=9 January 2018 |website=[[Ouest-France]] |language=fr}}</ref> She also holds an [[Overseas Citizenship of India]] card.<ref name="oci">{{Cite web |title=Travelling the northeast with Kalki Koechlin |url=https://www.rediff.com/getahead/report/traveling-the-northeast-with-kalki-koechlin/20160928.htm |date=28 September 2016 |website=Rediff |access-date=24 February 2024 |archive-date=24 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224190427/https://www.rediff.com/getahead/report/traveling-the-northeast-with-kalki-koechlin/20160928.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Koechlin is described as a style icon by the Indian media and has been dubbed as the "queen of experimental fashion".<ref name="pride">{{Cite web |last=Prasad |first=Harini |date=16 December 2015 |title=Style Icon, writer, actor, Feminist! |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/Style-Icon-Writer-Actor-Feminist/2015/12/16/article3179327.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412103131/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/Style-Icon-Writer-Actor-Feminist/2015/12/16/article3179327.ece |archive-date=12 April 2016 |access-date=31 March 2016 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref name="Greygoose">{{Cite web |date=2 November 2012 |title=I can't go wrong with fashion: Kalki Koechlin |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/i-cant-go-wrong-with-fashion-kalki-koechlin-608611 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913032746/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/i-cant-go-wrong-with-fashion-kalki-koechlin-608611 |archive-date=13 September 2015 |access-date=26 January 2016 |publisher=NDTV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chablani |first=Nitya |date=30 September 2015 |title=Best dressed this September: Deepika Padukone and Kalki Koechlin |url=http://www.vogue.in/content/best-dressed-this-september-deepika-padukone-and-kalki-koechlin/#sonam-kapoor-in-proenza-schouler |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202070804/http://www.vogue.in/content/best-dressed-this-september-deepika-padukone-and-kalki-koechlin/ |archive-date=2 February 2016 |access-date=26 January 2016 |website=Vogue}}</ref><ref name="Tandan">{{Cite web |last=Tandan |first=Raedita |date=4 July 2014 |title=I swear by high-street fashion&nbsp;– Kalki Koechlin |url=http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/i-swear-by-highstreet-fashion-kalki-koechlin-3602.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201002406/http://www.filmfare.com/interviews/i-swear-by-highstreet-fashion-kalki-koechlin-3602.html |archive-date=1 February 2016 |access-date=26 January 2016 |website=Filmfare}}</ref> Raedita Tandan of ''[[Filmfare]]'' deemed Koechlin's fashion appeal as "effortless" and "un-diva esque".<ref name=Tandan/> Such designers and photographers as the slow-process multimedia artist Riyas Komu and ''[[Elle (India)|Elle]]'' couturier Amit Aggarwal have described Koechlin's persona as representative of "a sense of eclecticism" and "fresh, akin to a new wave" respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parikh |first=Sitanshi |date=21 December 2016 |title=Kalki Koechlin: The Human Canavs |url=http://www.vervemagazine.in/people/kalki-koechlin-the-human-canvas |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423011712/http://www.vervemagazine.in/people/kalki-koechlin-the-human-canvas |archive-date=23 April 2016 |access-date=14 April 2016 |website=Verve Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gandhi |first=Shweta |date=14 December 2017 |title=Kalki Koechlin as a dreamy queen in this new shoot |url=http://elle.in/fashion/amit-aggarwal-shoot-kalki-koechlin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214125423/http://elle.in/fashion/amit-aggarwal-shoot-kalki-koechlin/ |archive-date=14 December 2017 |access-date=14 December 2017 |website=[[Elle (India)|Elle]]}}</ref> Koechlin has been a part of numerous fashion shows, including the [[Lakme Fashion Week]], India International Jewellery Week, and Mijwan Fashion Show ([[Shabana Azmi]]'s annual fund raiser). She also made a guest appearance at the [[Milan Fashion Week]], one of the global "Big Four Fashion Weeks".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhalla |first=Radhika |date=23 March 2015 |title=Lakme Fashion Week 2015: Runway gets a playful touch |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lakme-fashion-week-2015-runway-gets-a-playful-touch/1/425241.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407213737/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/lakme-fashion-week-2015-runway-gets-a-playful-touch/1/425241.html |archive-date=7 April 2016 |access-date=24 March 2016 |website=India Today}}<br />{{Cite web |date=28 August 2013 |title=Kalki Koechlin's wedding inspires designer's collection at Lakme Fashion Week |url=http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/kalki-koechlins-wedding-inspires-designers-collection-at-lakme-fashion-week-634834 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407205427/http://movies.ndtv.com/bollywood/kalki-koechlins-wedding-inspires-designers-collection-at-lakme-fashion-week-634834 |archive-date=7 April 2016 |access-date=24 March 2016 |publisher=NDTV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=IIJW 2014: Kalki, Gauahar, Chitrangada turn ramp diva |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/gallery/iijw-2014-neha-dhupia-amisha-patel-turn-desi-brides/1/12246.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201212353/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/gallery/iijw-2014-neha-dhupia-amisha-patel-turn-desi-brides/1/12246.html |archive-date=1 February 2016 |access-date=26 January 2016 |website=India Today|date=14 July 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhalla |first=Nikita |date=25 September 2015 |title=Milan Fashion Week: Kalki Koechlin spotted at Furla's SS '16 collection |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/milan-fashion-week-kalki-koechlin-spotted-at-furlas-ss-16-collection/1/482783.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201215526/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/milan-fashion-week-kalki-koechlin-spotted-at-furlas-ss-16-collection/1/482783.html |archive-date=1 February 2016 |access-date=26 January 2016 |website=India Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Bradford |first=Julie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H2xeBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA129 |title=Fashion Journalism |year=2014 |isbn=9781136475368 |page=129 |publisher=Routledge |access-date=24 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415161347/https://books.google.com/books?id=H2xeBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA129 |archive-date=15 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Koechlin is a celebrity endorser and has been associated with several brands and services, including: [[Coca-Cola]], [[Olay]], ''[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]'', [[Micromax]], [[Titan Company|Titan]], [[Grey Goose (vodka)|Grey Goose]]'s Style du jour, and [[AOC International]] including the cosmetic giant [[Oriflame]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 February 2010 |title=Imran Khan makes debut in Coke ad |work=Mid Day |url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/imran-khan-makes-debut-in-coke-ad/71911 |url-status=live |access-date=21 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075557/http://www.mid-day.com/articles/imran-khan-makes-debut-in-coke-ad/71911 |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 February 2010 |title=Coca-Cola 'Open Happiness' Campaign to feature Bollywood Sensation Imran Khan |work=Business Standard |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/press-releases/coca-cola-open-happiness-campaign-to-feature-bollywood-sensation-imran-khan-110021100100_1.html |url-status=live |access-date=21 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113021113/http://www.business-standard.com/article/press-releases/coca-cola-open-happiness-campaign-to-feature-bollywood-sensation-imran-khan-110021100100_1.html |archive-date=13 January 2016}}<br />{{Cite news |last=Mitra |first=Sounak |date=27 October 2013 |title=Micromax goes for the kill |work=Business Standard India |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/management/micromax-goes-for-the-kill-113102700722_1.html |url-status=live |access-date=21 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126155107/http://www.business-standard.com/article/management/micromax-goes-for-the-kill-113102700722_1.html |archive-date=26 January 2016}}<br />{{Cite web |date=29 September 2014 |title=Akhil Akkineni's new Titan ad |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Akhil-Akkinenis-new-Titan-ad/articleshow/43799599.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527045855/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/Akhil-Akkinenis-new-Titan-ad/articleshow/43799599.cms |archive-date=27 May 2015 |access-date=21 January 2016 |website=The Times of India}}<br />{{Cite news |date=23 August 2012 |title=Kalki brand ambassador of AOC TV |work=The Indian Express |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/television/article594355.ece |url-status=dead |access-date=21 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126225709/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/television/article594355.ece |archive-date=26 January 2016}}</ref><ref name=Greygoose/> In an interview for ''[[Asian News International]]'', Koechlin said that she "believes that everyone, whether an actor or a model, should endorse a brand which matches their ideologies".<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 2016 |title=Kalki Koechlin: Endorse brand that matches your ideology |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Kalki-Koechlin-Endorse-brand-that-matches-your-ideology/articleshow/51324619.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313175227/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Kalki-Koechlin-Endorse-brand-that-matches-your-ideology/articleshow/51324619.cms |archive-date=13 March 2016 |access-date=23 April 2016 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> She was also the brand ambassador of the "Cinema For Care" section, aimed at creating awareness about disability issues at the All Lights India International Film Festival (ALIIFF) held in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], Kerala<!-- DO NOT LINK, see [[MOS:GEOLINK]] for further guidance --> in November 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 February 2015 |title=Kalki turns brand ambassador for international cosmetic brand |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=httphttps://www.deccanchronicle.com/150224/entertainment-bollywood/gallery/kalki-turns-brand-ambassador-international-cosmetic-brand |url-status=live |access-date=21 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224093546/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150224/entertainment-bollywood/gallery/kalki-turns-brand-ambassador-international-cosmetic-brand |archive-date=24 February 2016}}</ref>

| scope="row" | ''[[Happy Ending (2014 film)|''Happy Ending]]'']]

| BBC documentaryDocumentary film

|[[Tamil language|Tamil]] film debut; Cameocameo

|Tamil debut in anthology <brfilm; />Segmentsegment: ''"Love Panna Uttranum''"<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2020 |title='Paava Kadhaigal' teaser: Netflix anthology to release on December 18 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/paava-kadhaigal-teaser-netflix-anthology-to-release-on-december-18/article33192446.ece/amp/ |access-date=28 November 2020 |website=The Hindu}}</ref>

|<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 December 2020 |title=Neena Gupta, Kalki Koechlin in international film Goldfish |language=en-US |work=Cinema Express |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2020/dec/03/neena-gupta-and-kalki-koechlin-in-international-film-goldfish-21587.html |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-date=18 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118113311/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2020/dec/03/neena-gupta-and-kalki-koechlin-in-international-film-goldfish-21587.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

|Special appearance in the song "Dum Hai Toh Aaja"

===Web seriesTelevision===