DOUBLE Whammy

Iam debuting in Bollywood with Yogesh Mittals Yeh Faasley,which is slated to release in March. It explores the father-daughter relationship. Im playing a young girl,Arunima Dua,while Anupam Kher is essaying my father. After staying in a boarding school for a long time,Arunima returns home and is keen to investigate the cause of her mothers death. It is a hardhitting character and Im glad that Im playing a pivotal role in the film. A Hollywood debut is also in store for me with John Maddens The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,which is set to release next year. It revolves around a group of retired people,who choose to spend their twilight days in India. It is an ensemble cast and I am playing Dev Patels love interest.

Casting Coup
My casting agency Elite model management,an international agency with the Indian franchisee got in touch with the director of Yeh Faasley to cast me for the film. Yogesh saw my pictures but he thought that I looked more like a model than a Bollywood actress. My agency finally convinced him and he met me for an audition. Though he gave me the most difficult scene to perform,I gave a convincing performance and finally got selected. But before shooting for the film,I had to undergo a two-week long acting workshop. For The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,I first gave auditions to the casting director and then to the films director John. Later,he also went through the 98 commercials that I had shot for as a model and saw my performances in Yeh Faasley and my second Hindi film Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene.

Stepping Stone
I was hardly 13 to 14 years old when I was inspired by Shah Rukh Khans Koyla to become an actress. If I had not been a model or an actor,then I would have been working in a bank as I love economics. I have done my Bachelors in Business and Finance. Luckily after I came to Mumbai from Bengaluru,I did not have to struggle to kick-start my career. I started getting three ad campaigns every month. Later,I participated in Channel Vs Get Gorgeous. Though I didnt win,it was a learning experience as the mentors gave me valuable tips about grooming and styling.

First Shot
I was supposed to zoom my car and then jam my breaks while taking a turn at 100 kilometres an hour for my first shot in Yeh Faasley. The makers sent me for a five-day crash course as I didnt know how to drive. But during the shoot,I got the shot right in the second take itself. For The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,my first shot was supposed to be the biggest scene of the film. Post the script-reading sessions and rehearsals,I knew what was expected of me,so I gave my best shot and thankfully everything went off smoothly.

Stumbling Block
For a particular scene in Yeh Faasley,I had to cry without using glycerin. But I just couldnt do it. So,Anupam Kher asked me to read the script. Later,he took me to another room and narrated the whole scene and within five minutes,I started crying. He was very helpful. Even before I started shooting for the film,he asked me several questions about my character and made me undergo verbal exercises that helped me play the role convincingly.

Lessons Learnt
I have learnt two important lessons. Firstly,you should understand your character well and constantly keep on improvising and secondly,you should realise the significance of every scene in the film.

Matinee Idol
Amongst actors,Johnny Depp,Shah Rukh Khan,Paresh Rawal,Kareena Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit are my role-models. I also admire the work of filmmakers like Imtiaz Ali,Steven Spielberg,Tim Burton and Yash Chopra.

Future Projects
I play the female lead in the Zayed Khan-Ranvijay Singh starrer Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene and a cameo in Parvin Dabas first directorial venture Sahi Dhande,Galat Bande.