Ujda Chaman actor Aishwarya Sakhuja on Bala: Hope both films do well

Excerpts from the conversation.

How did Ujda Chaman happen?

It happened through a regular casting process. They asked me to send a self-test and after a couple of screenings, I was on board. For me, this project was worth taking as it’s really relatable. Also, I had a reference point, for it’s an official remake of a Kannada film. So I knew how the story and my character were going to be charted out. The process of storytelling has really changed. Today films are written based in small towns and of day-to-day basis problems. It’s also always good to be a part of projects which send across a message.

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Tell us more about your character.

I play Ekta, who is Chaman’s (Sunny) colleague. She is a Maths teacher and nearing the conventional marriage age. So the conversations you will see between them is about settling down. And if I reveal everything, you won’t see the film (laughs).

There’s a lot of buzz around the film owing to its comparison with Bala. As an actor, does all this negativity affect you?

Had they been comparing it to my acting, then I would have been affected. I am in the process of acting and not creating or filmmaking. It might sound preachy but everybody works hard to get their films right, so everyone should get their dues. Eventually, it’s bread and butter for the people involved in both films. In a country like ours, there are a lot of brilliant minds, and if someone got a similar concept, we cannot keep malice over that. Let’s not put too many question marks and just hope that both films do well.

How has been the initial response for the film?

I got some encouraging messages after the press screening. It’s a small part but if that made a difference and people noticed it, I am a happy girl.

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Why do we see so less of you on screen?

Becuase nothing good has come my way. The shows that I auditioned for didn’t work out. And then there were things that didn’t excite me. You commit your life to a television show and work with your heart and soul. So one has to be happy doing it and not just to earn money. I cannot compromise like that. For me, happiness is very essential. I would rather do a smaller but significant part. I also cannot promote supernatural or voyeurism. My projects may not become hit but I am careful, as I don’t want to do something that will question my integrity.

In a recent interview you spoke about how you were made fun of your tooth and your height. Do you feel times have changed and people are today more accepting?

I still get that a lot. I have stayed away from controversies, so people only have my work and height to talk about. I get only trolled because I am tall. So I really don’t think that times have changed. We are a very superficial society which gives a lot of importance to vanity. We are so worried about fuller lips, perfect skin forgetting that we are not made of plastic. With age, we will get wrinkles or lose hair. Sometimes, I feel I am a misfit in this industry. But I have never allowed that pressure to get on me. I think we have too many talented people around, and whatever work I get, will be because of my skills and not looks, figure or height.

What are you taking back home from Ujda Chaman?

That perseverance does pay. I was sitting at home for two and a half years, hoping that something significant will happen. Although, when I signed it, I did not even know what would be the audiences’ reaction. I did it only because I liked the character. But now that people are calling and appreciating my work, I know my perseverance did pay off.

Also starring Maanvi Gagroo, Saurabh Shukla, Karishma Sharma, Sharib Hashmi, Grusha Kapoor and Atul Kumar, Ujda Chaman will hit theatres on November 1.