How does it feel working on such a big project?
I can’t tell you how amazing it feels. Thank you so much for keeping me here. It’s real. It’s a bit different. This is something I would only wish and dream of!
When the story was narrated to you, what did your fans think?
To be honest, I didn’t even know who were the actors in the film when I was auditioning for it. Then I had a narration with the director Rumi Jaffrey Yes. He told me the whole story and trust me, I was on the edge of my seat; I was like, ‘What happens next?’. When you know you are already asking these things when it has just been narrated, imagine when it comes to life. I think the script really matters and that’s what attracted me to ‘Chehre’.
You’ve come a long way from TV to OTTAnd now Bollywood. How does it feel?
I think it was a bit easy for me, because to be honest, if I had started from here and it was a real start in my life, I would not have been able to perform in front of such good actors. But because I come with a certain practice and experience, it was not that difficult. Honestly, if you love the craft and if you’re passionate about it, you can do it anywhere.
You have worked with Amitabh Bachchan in this. Do you have scenes with him?
yes i do We didn’t sleep the whole night before shooting our part with him. There was a day when I wanted to look super fresh but I couldn’t sleep. I was tossing and walking all night long. Also, my mother wanted to come on the sets. My mother never comes on set! More than pressurizing me to act in front of Amitabh ji, I think there was more pressure on me to act in front of my mother. She was literally acting on me. I was very nervous and the only thing I didn’t want to do was mess up my lines. I had memorized my lines well as I didn’t want to mess in front of Amitabh Bachchan ji. But he didn’t make me feel that way. He made me feel like even if I mess up, it’s okay. He made me feel so comfortable that I am part of the film, part of the industry. I didn’t feel like I was working with these two wonderful gentlemen for the first time.
The film also faced some problems due to postponement of the release date several times. Did this bother you?
I think for the first time it was supposed to release in April 2020. We had a date, we announced everything, but then it wasn’t possible, so it was a little heartbreaking. But, at that time, I felt that there was a lot going on in the world and this small heartbreak of mine is nothing compared to what is happening to the people in this world. So yes, it was disappointing. I was getting a little worried, but then when I took a step back and looked at the bigger picture, I realized it was the least of all problems. Also, at that point, I would actually feel guilty for asking people to go to the theater and watch my film because if there is a pandemic going on, how are you going to get people to risk their lives to watch the movie? Can say. But right now, I feel like it’s the perfect time. When the film didn’t come the second time too, I went through a lot of anxiety. But for the third time, now people have been vaccinated. People are more secure and aware. The theaters are now well prepared, and their safety measures are on point. I went to a restaurant last evening and it was packed; People are enjoying there, they have a better mindset now.
Since you have now become a part of Bollywood, do you want to do only movies, or would you like to strike a balance between OTT and TV shows?
Like I said earlier, acting is my passion. This is something that I like to do. The medium doesn’t matter to me. I can also do a stage play after that. I’m fine with doing that too. As long as the character is strong, as long as the script is good, it doesn’t matter to me.
You have an old relationship with Ekta Kapoor. Are you going to work with him again?
It was because of him that I started my career. He gave me my break, my first show. My first OTT show was with him. Now we were just laughing about how we wish my Bollywood debut would have happened with him too. But still we will keep working. Alt Balaji It’s like home to me; Balaji Telefilms just feels so comfortable. I don’t even feel like working! If I have to do any character, I will tell him that this character is really attractive. I am blessed in this sense. Whatever I do, she has always supported him. Even when I wanted to leave Balaji, he was very supportive. And we weren’t even friends at that time. So she’s this kind of person. She always wants you to do well. She’s putting up promos for my songs on her Instagram – everything a best friend should do. I am very happy to have someone like him in my life, who is constantly supporting me.
Would you like to work with your ex?
Medium doesn’t matter and actors don’t matter. The script matters to me. If the script is good, I will work with anyone. Because I only care about my character, film, show. I think that’s what matters to an actor, his craft, nothing else. The main thing is that you should be confident about the character you are playing.
What are your upcoming projects?
There’s a movie I’m talking about, but I can’t really talk about it right now. it is too big; I really can’t wait to jump on that set. Also, there is an OTT show that I am working on.
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