What is the best compliment you have received so far?
There have been a lot of them. But I consider the one from Rani Mukherjee very special. She called up Salman and asked him to pass the phone to me. She told me that I have seen you speaking one line in the film and I can tell you that you can act and you will do well. That phone call just made my day.
At another time, when a brother of a friend of mine when slapped by his mother uttered my line from the film, ‘Thapad se darr nahi lagta ...’
What was your dad’s reaction to the first look of the film?
He hasn’t said anything so far, believe it or not. But one can see in his eyes that he is proud of me.
The music of the Dabangg is finally out. If we go to your car will we find it there? Have you been listening to it?
Yes, the CD is there. In fact just a few days back I have permanently replaced the CD of Sadiyaan and DevD from my car.
Would you agree that Salman has been a guiding force for you?
I guess so. When I met him six-seven years ago, he saw through me. He told me on my face ‘You can do acting and nothing else’. I thought to myself, ‘Thank you for saying I’m good for nothing’. I didn’t believe him at that time, it took a while. I worked at losing weight. Now that I have done the film, I feel he is right. I don’t want to do anything else but acting.
What is it about acting that attracts you?
I have no formal training in acting, so the comfort in front of the camera comes from being Mr. Sinha’s daughter. Acting transports you to a new world altogether. It’s exciting being someone other that yourself.
Do you remember you first scene?
Yes, it’s crystal clear. Since I was new to acting, Abhinav began with a simple scene. It was a hospital shot, I had to walk up to Salman and tap his cheek with my hand … he said okay to the very first shot. I was very happy that my very first take was okayed.
Do you have any dream role?
I would have loved to play the character essayed by Kareena Kapoor in Jab We Met. I would have also loved to play Jodha in Jodhaa Akbar .
At times, actors are asked to do some over-the-top scenes. How do you deal with them?
But that is what an actor is all about. If you ask me to do something in front of four people, I wouldn’t do it. But when the camera starts rolling, it’s as if a gun is placed to my head. I have to do it.
One of your dad’s most famous catchphrase is ‘Khamosh!’ Have you asked anyone to stay khamosh?
No, I haven’t said it yet. But interestingly while I was in Delhi and touring radio stations, unfailingly each one of them to asked me to say ‘Khamosh’ on air. And I couldn’t refuse. They often referred to me as Khamosh. For instance, ‘Lo Khamosh aa gayee’. Many of my friends imitate my dad in front of me -- all in good fun.
When Luv, Kush and you fight, who supports you – Luv or Kush?
The two of them would gang up against me. They are twins; they are double trouble. Each one comes to the other’s rescue, I have always been beaten up by them. They would do it secretly so no one would come to know of it. If I would complain about them, they would beat me up some more.
Has your dad ever hit you?
No, never! Mom would scold and beat me while dad would love us. They had clearly sorted out their departments.
Your dad is making a comeback in Rakht Charitra .
I am very excited, in fact he has completely revamped his look for the role. He has done away with his moustache. A couple of people were heard asking, ‘Who is this new actor?’
A lot of people must have told you that you resemble Reena Roy.
Yes. And people have also told me that I look like Hema aunty and Monica Bellucci too. It’s all individual perception.
