I always wanted to be an actor

Delhi-based Aradhana Jagota made her Bollywood debut with coming-of-age movie ‘Kerry on Kutton’. Aradhana acted opposite Satyajeet Dubey in the film, which is based on the lives of four teenagers, who have been raised in the disturbed environment of Baliya, Uttar Pradesh and how certain situations led them into criminal activities.

Every character has a different story but still they are related to each other. Aradhana has been a model since past 6 years and as an actress; she made her television debut with serial ‘24’. Shooting for the film has been a whole new experience for her. She says it was challenging for her to work at zero temperature (January and December) in cotton clothes because the shooting was done in Lucknow and Kathmandu.

When did you take up acting as a profession?
I started modelling when I was in the second year college and gradually by taking baby steps from one thing to another I got into acting. The goal of becoming an actress was always clear in my head.

Was it difficult to convince your parents?
Since a very young age, I had an inclination to become an actor. I was in 11th standard when I acted in a school play, where I delivered a long monologue and the audience started clapping. That was the moment when I knew that this is what I want to do in my life. So once I came home I poured my heart out to my parents. We collectively knew that I loved to be in front of the camera and my acting career got decided. They have been very supportive of this decision all along.

How did television happen?
I went through a few rounds of auditions after which I got ‘24’ season 1 on Colors.

How was the experience of ‘24’?
‘24’ was a good learning experience for me. It helped me realise a few important things about me as an actress. And I'm glad to have gotten an opportunity to work on such an amazing show and really looking forward to watching season 2 soon.

How was it working with Anil Kapoor?
I didn't have any scenes with Anil sir but whenever I met him on set while shooting or script reading he was always very humble, polite and down to earth.

How ‘Kerry on Kutton’ happened?
As I said, I started modelling in the second year college and Ashok (my director) was a super senior studying cinema in the same college. So, when he was making his student film he asked me if I would like to act in his film. We did a small rehearsal and a script reading but the film didn’t happen. Then he met me years later after ‘24’ and told me about ‘Kerry on Kutton’ and asked me if I would like to play Jyoti. And I said yes.

Tell us about the movie?
All these four characters -Kerry, Kadambari, Jyoti and Suraj have their own goals and ambitions. How they achieve or fail to achieve these ambitions is what the film is about.

What made you say yes to the role?
I liked the script of ‘Kerry on Kutton’ when Ashok narrated me. I liked the dialogues and the character is different. I liked the character, especially because I am totally different from Jyoti in my real life. I don't speak and I am not from that background and Jyothi’s upbringing is different.

Jyoti Chauhan is a 16-year-old government school-going girl in a small town called Baliya. She is a rebel like the boys in the film. She uses her charm to get what she wants. Once her mind is set on something she makes sure she gets it by whatever means possible.

What do you prefer the most, TV or films?
Both have their own charm, but I like films better both as an actress and as a viewer.

By: Askari Jaffer