Just Serendipity

For people who have grown up on Aladdin,there are different perceptions of Jasmine. Was it tough playing the character?
Most people perceive Jasmine as the one from Walt Disney’s Aladdin. But in Sujoy Ghosh’s movie she is just a simple bubbly college girl. I had to just play myself. But there were times when people asked me if I was playing the genie. I’m still wondering how I could be the fat,blue thing.

Indian models who’ve started acting have taken years to find acceptance in films; do you think it will be tough for you?
Honestly,I have been lucky enough to have got such a huge launch. The rest is up to me on how I survive here. You can have a godfather,plenty of contacts,a film lineage and also money,but it is your talent that will make you stand out.

Talking of building contacts,have you made friends in the industry?
Not really. I am good friends with Riteish Deshmukh who I have worked with. Besides him,I have my set of non-filmi friends who I hang out with.

Are Bollywood dance moves easy for you?
Let’s say I was a good dancer until I started doing dance numbers for my movie. Although I had been taking Kathak classes,dancing in front of the camera is a different ball game. You have to bear in mind the camera angles,expressions and so on.

So then delivering Hindi dialogue would have been difficult too.
Of course. When I first came here,the only word I knew was Namaste. I then had three different teachers,giving Hindi classes. Today I can make basic conversation and I can also scream for help. Bachao!

Are more movies coming your way?
I have completed another movie opposite Riteish called Jaane Kahaan Se Aayi Hai. It’s about a girl from Venus who comes here to seek love.