Taking centre stage

I play Sonia,a wealthy,young woman,who is married to Atul Chandan Roy Sanyal. Atul loves her for her money. Sonia is naïve and fails to understand that her husband and mother-in-law only want to grab her wealth. Chandan and I play the main protagonists of the film. We had earlier been cast together in an international production of Tim Supples A Midsummer Nights Dream that toured the world for three years.

Casting coup

I am one of the four writers of the film and knew the part inside out. However,I had never done a film before and all my experience as an actor had only been on stage. So recorded myself on tape and analysed objectively if I could play the part well. Later,I attended a few workshops to ease myself into the role. 

Stepping stone

I started acting on stage in Mumbai when I was 16. I then went to study theater in Paris for two years and did my teachers training in theater in London. With Tim Supples Midsummer Nights Dream,I performed at the best venues across the world including the Royal Shakespeare Company. Hollywood actors like Patrick Stewart,Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett have also seen me perform the play at the RSC and the Sydney Theatre Co. Ive also acted opposite Vijay Krishna Acharya better known as the director of Dhoom 3 in a play,Noises Off.

First shot

My first shot for the film was in a clothes store where Im looking for a dress. It was a solo shot

Stumbling block

There were challenges,but we had a great team to work with. Suhasini Mulay,my co-actor,gave me some good tips on acting in front of the camera. So even though it was my debut project in Bollywood,things were not that bad as I had good and supportive colleagues.

Lessons learnt

I do not belong to a filmi family. But my parents and I share a common passion: we love movies. I have grown up watching world cinema. My grandmother was an actress and she won the Presidents Award for her first and only film. Satyajit Ray had also asked her to act in his movie but she turned him down. So cinema was not entirely new for me. But I did learn that hard work does pay off and one needs to be really consistent to survive in Bollywood.  

Matinee idol

My favourite Bollywood actor is Ranbir Kapoor. Among the Hollywood actors I love Hugh Jackmans and Jack Blacks body of work.  

Future projects

Right now I am looking forward to my debut film Love You To Death. I sincerely hope that the audiences love my role.