Masala mix

I know Desi Boyz is different from the films like Hazaaron Khwaishen Aisi and Sorry Bhai. But I have grown up on Bollywood films and have observed how the actors frolic around in masala films. Only this time I would be doing it. I thought it would be fun to live my childhood fantasies with Desi Boyz.

But wasnt it a big jump from serious,intense cinema to comedy?

Actually when Rohit Dhawan came for a narration,his script did not read as mad as his dads David Dhawan films laughs. It was a lot more toned down,with a strong story and strong emotions and I liked it.

Whats your character in the film like?

Tanya is your regular kind of girl who had a crush on a boy Akshay Kumar in college but he never cared for her. And then after several years she bumps into him when she returns to her college in Oxford as a lecturer,and he as a student to complete his studies.

You have never worked with Akshay Kumar before. How was the experience of shooting with him?

Forget about working,I had never even met him before. But I was very anxious about interacting with him as he was this huge commercial star. However,he immediately put me at ease with his warm,approachable and earthy personality.

What about your other co-stars,John Abraham and Deepika Padukone?

I know John very well and we have just finished shooting for Shristi Aryas romcom I Me Aur Main. As for Deepika,I hardly had any scenes with her,but there is no animosity between us as reported. And this fighting over a pink dress is so absurd because both of us can very well afford to buy several dresses and dont have to fight over one.

How would you compare an upcoming director like Rohit to the more experienced Sudhir Mishra with whom you have done several films?

Rohit has a very fresh energy about him,and considering hes so young,hes extremely sure about what he wants from his actors. Sudhir is in a different space whose forte is bringing intense stories on screen.

Whats Sudhirs upcoming film Inkaar like?

The title is still not confirmed as yet,but its about sexual harassment in the corporate world. Its a very intense film about power,lust and ambition.

What has working in a typical Bollywood entertainer like Desi Boyz taught you?

I was underplaying so much in my earlier films that the first thing I learnt was to let go. This kind of cinema is more demanding in terms of energy and drama,but I enjoyed it. Its sad that no one considered me for a fun film earlier,but now I hope to strike a balance doing different kind of movies.

What was your reaction when Anupam Kher,your co-star in Desi Boyz,offered you the job of delivering lectures in his acting school?

When Anupam asked me to come to his academy I thought he wanted me to attend some lectures,and I happily agreed. But then he clarified that he wanted me to come to give lectures and I was like8230;.. okay!

How did you agree to do the item number in Shirish Kunders Joker?

Everything happened so quickly. As soon as Farah Khan called me to ask whether I would do it,I didnt ask anything more. It was enough for me to know that she was choreographing the number,and that it was for her home production.