Upwardly Mobile

In many ways,she still relates to her role as Paro in Dev D. “I am temperamental,short-tempered,speak my mind and,like Paro,I too have moved on in life. Only I haven’t had sex in the fields,” she laughs. Gill first came to Mumbai three years ago with a suitcase full of clothes and memories of a failed marriage. “I was 17 when I got married. My parents were against it but I wouldn’t listen,” she says.

Once in Mumbai,she attended every party in town with the hope of getting noticed. “I was horrible at auditions and photo shoots. A director spotting me at a party was my only hope. Eventually it was at one of my friend’s son’s birthday party that Anurag Kashyap noticed me,” she says,adding,“I can do anything for Anurag. When he called me one evening to ask if I would work in Gulaal,I was preparing for a holiday. But I gave up the plan instantly and rushed to the studio,” she says.

Stardom demands its own share of adjustments. “I am very desi and a hardcore non-vegetarian,but these days I have to watch my weight. These are the difficulties in being an actress.” She lets on some more trivia: “I was never given a name. My parents and relatives called me Rimpy when I was born. It was only a few years ago,that my best friend christened me Mahie.”

Attention doesn’t bother her but it is hard to believe that the gorgeous actress isn’t dating anybody. “There are a lot of proposals,but I haven’t finalised anyone,” she laughs. “I will soon. After all,Mumbai can make one lonely.”