After getting launched by Salman Khan in “Hero”, Athiya Shetty's career has taken a swift turn with “Mubarakan's” good response. Recently in Capital, she talked about her experience of working with seniors, her inspiration and goals.
Excerpts:
On working in “Mubarakan”
When I got to know about “Mubarakan”, I did not know the script but I said yes because I am a huge Anees Bazmee fan. The great thing about all his films is you can watch with all your family, something which you cannot find in many other films. Though the name Binkle was a difficult name to accept, the character is someone I can easily relate with. Anees sir is a good actor who enacts in such a way that you feel as if I was watching the things happening in front of me. It was a wonderful experience and I am sad that it has come to an end now.
On working with seniors of the industry like Anil Kapoor
There is a very thin line between hamming and playing naturally and that is something I have observed in my father (Suniel Shetty) and Anil sir also. With Anil sir, who is the king of comedy, I got to learn a lot as he is always filled with energy and is very effortless in front of the camera, which is something every new actor should learn. It is not easy to make people laugh Anees ji does it in an honest way without going over the top.
On becoming an actor
I wanted to be an actor since I was three, but I never got the opportunity as I was busy with school. It was a fantasy world for me. It was a make-belief where by wearing good clothes, you become somebody else in front of the camera. On my trips with my father, I used to watch a lot of stuff on sets but was not able to understand the process of it as I was too young for it but I knew this is what I wanted to do for rest of my life. I remember watching Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, my favourite actor, on the sets of Umrao Jaan and that was the moment I decided to pursue acting as a profession.I always wanted to be a quintessential Hindi film heroine who look glamorous and get to dance on her songs in front of the camera and I am happy that I am living that moment.
On the ongoing nepotism debate
I feel that every actor has his or her own journey and struggle. Whether you are from the industry or not does not matter. I feel that only talent, hard work and destiny takes you forward in that journey. You cannot be compared with anybody else's life or acting as your body of work is entirely different. I went to New York Film Academy where I did a one year programme in filmmaking to understand the nuances and in India I attended some acting workshops with ace casting director Mukesh Chhabra to understand the craft. Acceptance as a good actor is something that the audience decides. If they want you to stay, you will stay, if not, you have to go.
On what she plans to do in future
I am well aware of what I am going to do though I do not have big plans for future. For me, the script is most important and it is something which I think can take me places. I do not have any specific roles in mind but I always wanted to do some action films for sure. I do not want to imitate somebody. I want to be my own person in it. May be because of my father, who established himself as an action hero, it is in our genes to do martial arts on screen. Though I do not have any formal certifications or a belt in martial arts, it is something which I enjoy doing with my brother.
