From Obscurity to stardom

Chashme Baddoor was an ideal start to my career. Had I started it with Baby, people definitely would have sidelined me, considering me as someone who is just a part of an ensemble cast or is here to do out of the box roles. But thank god that I started with Chashme Baddoor. After the release, people thought of me as another mainstream heroine and thereby gave me a chance to prove my potential. And because it was a regular film, you don't expect to get noticed suddenly.

Then came Baby, that too when people weren't expecting something that challenging from me. The general perception was 'ye to Akshay Kumar ki film hai, isme ladki kya karegi, aur sirf 10-minute ka role hai'. But that's when people were taken by surprise and my performance got me few eyeballs. Post Baby, I worked in Pink and people suddenly started paying more and more attention. The movie was not only a commercial success but also managed to form a connection with the audience. They began relating to the character I portrayed. The subject I dealt with in the film became the talk of the town.

Later, I went a step ahead and did a title role. People once again began perceiving ki ab to ye yahi karegi (strong characters), but when Judwa 2 got released, logo ne umeed hi nahi kari thi ki me aisa kuch karungi. So, on the whole, I guess every film of mine, in a way, has given a different turn to my career.

To be honest, I never wanted to become an actor. Initially, I just wanted to give it a chance. If it works, well and good, if not, I will stick to my field and will do my MBA. And I just went with the flow. It was only the result of my first film that made me feel this might be something that the destiny has planned for me. So why not give it a proper serious shot!

I didn't know how to act. I was completely unaware of the film industry, in fact, I was not even a movie buff. Therefore, acting has always strictly been taken as a profession and not a passion. I had no desires to be at the number one spot. I will keep on working until the time I enjoy doing it.

And as far as the choice of films is considered, when I was working in South I was told that if you work with big shots of the industry, only then you will be considered as the 'so-called A-lister'. I signed innumerable movies with big stars but surprisingly many of them didn't work.

Later, I did films that were unique in some way, and surprisingly they worked successfully. That was something I learned from working in the south and I assured not to repeat the same mistake after stepping in the Hindi film industry.

No, it still works the same way but the scenarios have changed to a certain extent. Today, people at least give an equal chance to every movie, irrespective of its star cast. But that does not mean they will totally give up on star-driven movies.

There are hundreds of movies that turned out to be blockbusters owing to a powerful star cast. On the same note, how will you justify the success of movies like Judwa 2 or Golmaal Again? These are big star-driven films that were hugely successful, but then so is Newton in its own way. The thing is, our audience is getting slightly more intelligent. They look for logic and content in the movie besides the entertainment quotient.

I really want to know who are A-listers and what an 'A-List' is (chuckles). Look, all I know is, either you are a star or not. And as of now, I have a long way to go before I begin considering myself as a star. Jis din mere naam par film chalegi, the day people will willingly spend 200 bucks to watch a movie because of me, that will be the day I will consider myself a star.

When you keep playing the protagonist in the movie, it becomes your habit. And then if you are offered anything less or is expected to take even a single step back, it feels a little odd. But kabhi kabhi break bhi lena chahiye yaar (laughs).

It does hit me for a second that you are not 'The Protagonist', but then I console myself thinking about other upcoming movies where the story revolves around me.

Imagine five years back, I never thought that I will be at a position where the filmmakers would take my suggestions for improvements in the script. I never thought that I would recommend who could be the best one to direct a specific movie (after listening to the script). I have faced situations where I have been the last person to come on board. After everybody is hired, including the male lead and technicians, 'ab is budget me kaun heroine aa rahi hai dekh lete hain'.

From the state of obscurity to a point where the producer comes to me even before the director is on board, to say that 'you do this film and we can pitch it to these many directors later on', I have covered a long journey. That's a huge leap I guess. So I feel yaha tak aagaye toh aage bhi sab accha hoga.

I don't think I have changed at all. As far as the work is considered, I have only one problem since years. And that is zero tolerance for inefficiency. I can't stand people who cannot do their job properly. That's the only thing that turns me into a devil. Moreover, I am well aware of the fact that abhi film chal rahi hai to log pooch rahe hai, ek film flop hogai to koi poochega bhi nahi.

I cannot ask for the same amount of money like the leading man if my film does not open as big as that leading man's film. The film is a business and not a medium to showcase the existing level of gender equality.

Varun Dhawan or Arjun Kapoor or any other leading man who are of my age will demand a paycheck according to the opening collection of their movie, regardless of the heroine. Similarly, I will demand my paycheck according to the box office collection of my movie in the opening week, regardless of the male lead. If I still keep on cribbing about getting

the same amount even though my movie is not able to earn as much as the male-centric movie does, then I am just burdening my producer which is completely wrong.

I would love to take money, but only when I feel that meri film bhi male protagonist jitna kama rahi hai. Payment should be made according to my role and the business of the film.

There is a character that I am going to play. I can't talk about it right now but when the curtains will rise, you will automatically get to know what I am talking about right now. I feel fortunate to say that I have no regrets and I am more than satisfied with the kind of roles I did or am doing. Main ye guarantee de sakti hu ki aapko yakeen nahi aaega ki ye wahi ladki hai jisne Judwa 2, Naam Shabana ya Dil Junglee kari thi.