EXCERPTS Did you want to become an actress? It sounds like a cliché but I used to dance in front of my mirror. Yes, I have always wanted to act. I am a 90’s kid who is guilty of having grown up dancing to Salman. Shah Rukh & Govinda’s so-called tacky songs, which I felt were awesome! On not winning the Miss India contest I was disappointed but my eventual aim, like I said, was to be an actor. I am happy I realised the dream. My journey is amazing compared to my fellow contestants, so I feel not winning the crown was good for me. Parents' response Though skeptical, they never ever discouraged me. Some relatives and people were feeding them with things like, “Oh, this happens in the industry. How can you let your
How many auditions did you go
Which was your favourite
through for this film?
song in Munna…?
We had four rounds — for acting, dancing,
Shake Karaan is special to me because
meeting the filmmakers and sending
it was my introduction song. I had to
across a tape. I had auditioned for a film
perform this number with dancers and
before Munna.., but it didn’t take off. I left
blowers, following Ganesh Acharya’s
two other films after auditioning because
expressions and choreography - all this
I liked this film more, and I know I made
while Tiger and Nawaz were watching me.
the right choice. This film seemed to be in
I was very nervous. That was the day I felt
my destiny and it’s great because I am not
that I could do this.
in it for just five minutes, but the entire film, including songs and over 40-50 scenes.
On keeping step with great dancer like Tiger
Your aim was to get it anyhow...
It was extremely difficult to work alongside
Yes, because it was a difficult film to bag.
Tiger because he’s a terrific performer and
It required brilliant acting and dancing
a dancer. If in one count, we have to turn,
skills as my character is that of a dancer.
he does two turns. Nobody can match
Luckily, I am a trained ballet dancer, so it
that. It was tough but I did a lot of
all came together.
rehearsals. As a co-star, he was an easy person to work with because even in he
What was your first reaction on
was clueless in his first film so he
bagging the film?
understood how I felt on the sets. He
I couldn’t believe it! The news just didn’t
would help me with almost everything —
sink in. I suddenly realised, “Oh, the film is
from standing on the mark to facing the
mine now”. Even when the posters and
camera and other basic things that I was
trailers came out, I was still surprised.
too shy to ask anybody else.
daughter do something like that?” My parents trust me, so it’s all good. Struggle without a godfather I don’t have industry connections.
food; you don’t get homemade food anymore. In terms of work, I joined acting, dance classes, etc. Hence, I see those years as growth rather than struggle. On debuting with Munna Michael I feel blessed to have such a great launch pad because the script was really interesting. Director Sabbir Kabir was quite supportive. Tiger was a helpful co-star & Nawazuddin Siddiqui, an incredibly talented man. What more could I ask for?
FROM THE TECHNICIANS TO SENIOR ACTORS, PEOPLE HAVE
struggle about changing cities was
BEEN REALLY HELPFUL, WARM AND SUPPORTIVE.
a few years ago. The biggest
THE TELUGU FILM INDUSTRY HAS BEEN FANTASTIC. RIGHT
I moved from Bengaluru to Mumbai
red | feb-march 2019 | 51