Scolding Shah Rukh was the most difficult thing I have ever done!

Kriti Sanon, seen as the next big thing in Bollywood, talks about her upcoming film ‘Dilwale’, her co-stars, fun on the sets and more. Read on...

With no filmi background, Kriti Sanon started as a model when she was just 20 years old and made a noticeable debut in 2014 for the Telugu film ‘1: Nenokkadine', followed by her Bollywood debut with ‘Heropanti’. With her charming persona and impressive acting skills, the actress soon bagged Rohit Shetty’s ‘Dilwale’, which is considered to be one of the biggest films of the year.

Talking about the film, Kriti Sanon says “For each and every schedule we worked really hard but more than that we had fun making it and this is surely one of the best experience of my life.”

Excerpts from the interview

Your parents are from a totally different background and you are an engineering graduate. So what made you take this route?

I was in my second year BTech when I thought of trying modelling; it was just a hobby and never a profession or a career. Then, I started getting offers for TV commercials. While shooting for those, I realised that I could act and I was very comfortable in front of the camera. Directors told me to try for films and that I have a “spark”. Somewhere down the line, I started dreaming of becoming an actor.

My mom always tells me that if you want to do something, then you should really work hard and just go for it. Both my parents were really supportive and were also scared at the same time. My mom was encouraging but dad was protective, as all fathers are for their daughters—the film industry is not really known to be exactly the best place for newcomers without any connections. So, my father was a little scared to let me into the field but, at the same time he didn’t want that to be the reason for me not doing what I really wanted to.

Coming to ‘Dilwale’, how did that happened?

All of this happened so fast. I was called to Rohit Shetty’s office one day for meeting and was given a brief narration and everything got locked in and I was on board. There was no audition or screen test. At an initial stage of my career, it is very important for me to do the right films and being part of ‘Dilwale’ so soon in my career is a blessing.

In terms of script, what do you have to say about the film?

When I heard the script I realised that it has a lot of comedy; it has action, romance, a lot of drama and emotions; and I personally like these kinds of films. So, I found it very entertaining and fast moving.

Tell us about your character. What was the most memorable and the most difficult part in it?

I play this character named ‘Ishita’, who is a simple, very strong-headed; she is sweet and she does what she feels is right. When I heard the narration and spoke to Rohit about my character, he said that I have so many people going all around the place in the film I want your character to be a little confined, not really loud. He wanted it to be that girl-next-door that every young girl could relate to.

In real life, I am slightly louder than the character I play, so that was a little difficult part for me as I had to confine my energy and make it more subtle than how I really talk. Also, my first scene with Shah Rukh was to scold him! So, yes it was difficult but, he is an amazing actor and really helped me pull through the scene.

How is it like to share screen space with SRK and Kajol? What were those few attributes you imbibed from them?

I have grown up watching both of them so I was very happy and excited. They are magical together. The passion, the excitement and the energy they have; the set is on fire with these two around. I think after working for about 25 years Shah Rukh sir still has the same energy for his work. Even after becoming such a great star, he is grounded, treats everybody equally and that is what I really want to take and learn from him. Kajol ma’am is a great actor and has those really expressive eyes. She is very spontaneous. She really feels the moment when she performs, which is something really special about her.

How was it working with Varun Dhawan?

He is so much fun! His energy literally wakes you up if you are feeling lazy. Varun is very easy to gel with. There is a naughty and fun side to him. He will do masti and will pull your leg. When it comes to acting, he is focused, he thinks a lot about the scene as to how he can make it better. We bonded really well. In fact, during the Hyderabad schedule Varun, Varun Sharma and I bonded really well. It was really a long schedule and we were literally living on the set, we had fun and chilled together.

Where do you see yourself five years down the line?

I am not a person who plans for that long. I personally think that one should keep learning and keep making themselves better. All I know is that I want to see myself in a place where I am an improved actor from what I am now.