I feel very close to India: Elnaaz Norouzi

October 05, 2018 02:53 pm | Updated 02:53 pm IST

Roadmap laid out: Elnaaz Norouzi

Roadmap laid out: Elnaaz Norouzi

With the increase in demand for actors from different cultural backgrounds in the entertainment industry, more and more actors are finding work in Indian films. Elnaaz Norouzi is one of them. Before joining the case of “Sacred Games” as Zoya, the star with a past, she had already done a Pakistani film “Maan Jao Naa”, a Punjabi sports flick “Khido Khundi” and also appeared with Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan in commercials.

Proud of her German upbringing and her native country Iran’s culture, she tells us how difficult it was learning Hindi for her and adapting to Mumbai’s lifestyle. .

Excerpts:

How did acting happen?

I always wanted to become an actor. It was a childhood dream that came true. I decided that I should work in Bollywood because I was always so fascinated by the films and their music. In pursuit of it, I did theatre for some time in Germany to hone my skills and finally, I decided that it is the right time to enter the industry.

How difficult was it to adapt in Mumbai after spending time in Germany and Iran?

I have to be very honest. It was extremely tough, it is a different world altogether and a different culture for me. It takes years for an outsider to adapt but I feel now it’s just like home for me. I feel very close to India, at least in my heart.

The German and Indian cultures are very different but Iranian and Indian cultures are somewhat closer. So, I learned things quickly.

Tell us about your learning process of Indian sensibilities and learning Hindi .

Learning Hindi was a tough thing. All the languages I have ever learnt in my life were professionally taught with rules and here I was left with answers like – there is no rule. They said it is the way it is and you just have to know how to build the sentence. That is when I realised I need to do this myself, so mostly I learned Hindi by myself and realised that there actually are rules! So, now I can read write and speak in Hindi.

Do you think because of penetration of platforms like Netflix, actors get an equal chance of recognition as their film counterparts?

Yes. In fact, I feel that because of the reach that Netflix has, some actors might be more known in other countries than if they’d just do a Hindi film. Obviously, a film's reach is also huge but never on such an international level as Netflix. And if the Netflix film or series is a huge hit, then it can’t even be compared to any film. This is my feeling.

How do you see the representation of women in “Sacred Games”?

I do like their representation, we have a raw agent who is good at what she does. We have Kanta bai who is so strong as well as uncompromising. Zoya is being portrayed as a self-made woman.

It was also a great experience working with Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap. I had two amazing directors guiding me and teaching me at every stage and helping me throughout this journey. For the second season, I am very excited to working with Neeraj (Ghaywan) Sir, wondering how it will be to be directed by him.

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