The one-film-old heroine shares how she is more than happy about her
reception in the industry so far
Ileana D'cruz who made an impact right from her debut film, 'Barfi!'
is happy with the reception she has received in Bollywood and from her
audience in her short journey.
"I surely feel it is a herculean task for us actors from the South to
be able to make it big on the Bollywood horizon. But if the very first
break is worthwhile, we surely can look forward to establish ourselves
here satisfactorily," she says and adds, "I too had a sense of
insecurity merely because I am fully aware of the fact that there are
many pretty faces here in Bollywood. When I watched my first film with
Vidya Balan, I was overwhelmed to hear good compliments from her. I
could not stop crying for two reasons — firstly, the film is so very
emotional and also witnessing people who liked the film."
"The first time I met Amitabh Bachchan and he complimented me, I felt
as if I was on the seventh heaven," she said and when asked whether
she would like to work with him, she replied, "Why Not? He has a very
special aura, his energies surely ignites a sense of working harder.
He is an inspiration, I admire him for his persona and the work he has
been doing, and he surely is a highly respected person."
Talking about the challenges of working in a different industry she
adds, "Working in a different language undoubtedly is a challenge for
me."
Talking about the different experience in working for her debut and
her second film, she shares, "The transition from my first film,
'Barfi!' to 'Phata Poster Nikla Hero' is unbelievable. In my first
film, working with great actors like Priyanka Chopra and Ranbir
Kapoor, I was very conscious. I felt I needed to do my best. I started
on a nervous note but getting a positive response world-wide
diminished my anguish and boosted my morale."
Coming to her character in 'Phata Poster Nikla Hero' she says,
"Playing complaining Kajal on screen who is a clear freak is contrary
to my real character. I am very private person in real and I am not
outspoken at all. My school days friends until today remain my
friends. I am not a party goer either."
Sharing her experience with fellow co-actors, she says, "Shahid Kapoor
is full of fun and frolic in real and because of his light nature, it
became more easy for me to perform my comic character exuberantly.
Ranbir is an intelligent guy, we discussed about varied topics during
our break."
On how she has managed not to be linked up with her co-actors who have
been the heartthrob of many female fans, she shares, "Yes, my
friendship with my co-actors is restricted to only the sets. Probably,
when actors move around outside the sets and are seen more often
together in public places, people link them up. I have saved my skin
from link ups purely because I have yet not been seen outside with
Shahid or Ranbir."
On her dancing abilities she adds, "I am not a trained dancer. There
is no exceptional dancing in this film. We have just one dancing
number in a club. I do have some dancing in David Dhawan's film with
Varun Dhawan though."
Ileana finds Deepika Padukone very hot and shares an interesting
detail by saying, "Mine and Deepika's trainer is the same. I always
ask him what training does he imparts to Deepika that she looks so
very hot. I am a simple looking girl and I am not so beautiful."
Illeana has no fixed plans with regards her career and adds, "I do not
have any strategy or plans for especially taking on certain genre of
films. I only feel I can work hard." And adds, "Getting different
roles and comparing me to Smita Patil as well with Shabana Azmi, I
just feel great. However, Shabana has carved an excellent niche for
herself. I respect her. Both Smita and Shabana are great actors and
their sensibilities are different. I stand nowhere in comparison to
them. For me it is my work, which is a challenge. I try and push
myself. But there is no plan to do a particular kind of film."
Ileana on the other hand is a good cook and confesses, "My father is a
Muslim while mom is a Goan. I cook very good food. I love to cook
roasted fish, biryani and also continental food. Whenever, I am free,
I love to be home and relish my hand made food. Cooking is a great
past time for me."
Lastly she believes in an omnipresent God and shares, "I do sincerely
believe that there is a power in my soul. I do not pursue Muslim
religion or Goan. I may go to the mosque as well to a temple,
gurudwara or a church. Wherever I go, I try to seek the peace from
within that atmosphere."