Starry trail

I have been lucky that my journey has been extremely good. Being a newcomer,I have been fortunate to have been launched by a very prestigious production house,Vishesh Films. In this industry,both luck and talent play a very pivotal role. You may have the talent but no luck. Likewise if luck is on your side,without talent too,you can become a success.

Were you nervous working with Emraan Hashmi in your debut film?

Oh yes,I was quite nervous but Emraan is an amazing,versatile actor. He was supportive and encouraged me when I felt disheartened at the number of retakes I had to give initially. He made me realise that it really did not matter whether the shot was okayed in the first take or at the 50th. The final product was what mattered.

Do you feel that your role in ‘Raaz 3’ reflects the stark reality of life of an actor?

I play a successful actress who takes over the mantle from a once successful heroine whose career is now on the wane. So in real life also,I know that every actor,especially a female has a shelf life. Once she has crossed 30 or gets married,people expect her to sit at home and take care of the family. I admire Kajol and would love to watch her in films. I think it has a lot to do with our Indian mentality which is reflected in our industry. However,this is not the case abroad. Meryl Streep still looks gorgeous and is working in some amazing films. Having said that,I feel that the old order gives way to the new. I know that after,say 10 or 12 years down the line,I too shall have to make place for the young crop of actors entering the industry.

Which is the actor you admire?

I am a die-hard Kareena Kapoor fan. I don’t miss any of her films. Whenever I get the time,I watch her films on YouTube. I also like Katrina Kaif.

Tell us about your experience working with Vikram Bhatt

Vikram Bhatt has an enormous amount of patience. He understands the artiste perfectly. I feel directors who have a girl child are very sensitive and understand the female psyche extremely well. I give both Vikramji and Mahesh Bhatt the credit for shaping my character the way it has in the film.

You have done varied roles in all the three films so far.

I have to thank my producer Mukesh Bhatt for giving me a chance to showcase my talent. He had complete faith in my abilities and it was he who recommended me for the roles in ‘Jannat 2’ and ‘Raaz 3’,which are disparate in terms of looks and content.

What is your role in ‘Chakravyuh’?

I play an IPS officer who has to deal with Naxals. There were a few action scenes which I had to perform,but otherwise it was more to do with the attitude of the officer and her allegiance towards the country.

Do you feel that our cinema is evolving with more women-centric films being made?

Today,the audience is receptive to alternative cinema which is being accepted as mainstream. Take ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ for example,it is an intensely crazy film and I simply loved it. As for women-centric films,not only Vidya Balan in ‘The Dirty Picture’,but also Kareena Kapoor has done a great job in ‘Heroine’. The audience is not dumb and is eager to watch good,intelligent cinema.

You were a student of mass communication,so how did the transition to films come about?

I did my mass communication in journalism as well as law. I was interested in writing travel stories and was also keen on studying law. At one point of time,I also wanted to become a chef but I realised that since I am a vegetarian,I would not be able to do justice to the profession. I have let life take its own course. I did modelling,represented India at the international pageant and then got into films. Whatever I pursued,I gave my 100 per cent.

What will your next venture be?

Let’s wait and see the kind of offers that I receive.