Over the weekend, we caught up with the lovely Ileana D’Cruz to have a chat with her about Phata Poster Nikhla Hero. It’s quite a departure from her last Bollywood film – Barfi! – but it seems like the actress had a ball while shooting it. We spoke to her about everything from her first reaction when she got the script, to what it was like working with Shahid Kapoor, to what we can look out for from her next. Check out our interview!
Team MissMalini (Team MM): What was your first reaction when you got the script?
Ileana D’cruz (ID): I was very happy when I was told that Rajji wants to do a film with me. When I went in to hear the story – and after I heard the story – I was terribly nervous because I was like, “Oh my God, this is a mad film, I don’t know if I’ll be able to do a film like this. I don’t know if I’ll be able to live up to Rajji‘s expectations.” So it was very nerve-wracking for sure, and Rajji is a very serious director. He’s got a brilliant sense of comic timing, but he’s very particular about what he wants. Close to a perfectionist, I could say. So it was hard sort of living up to his expectations, hard to impress the man… but I managed to do it, so that’s a good thing.
Team MM: You’re known as Complaint Kaajal in this film. Any similarities between you and your character?
ID: It’s funny, now that I think about it, I was called complaint box when I was younger. I’m not anymore, so that’s a good thing [laughs]. But I think, looking at the character and how mad she is, there isn’t much of a similarity. She has a kind of bravery that I don’t possess at all. She doesn’t think before she gets into any situation; she just jumps into it and expects it to work out. That way she’s really brave; I’m more of a thinker. And she’s just… loud, talkative, full-of-life. It’s nice, it’d be really great if I could be like her someday. It’s a crazy character; I think it blended into the film very well. I’m glad I got a role like that.
Team MM: What was it like working with Shahid?
ID: Shahid is quite particular as well. He’s pretty much on the perfectionist list as to how he likes to do his shots. He really is focused when he’s on sets. Being such a different film for him, it was very difficult to get that out and actually do it as well as he did. I think he’s done a really good job.
Team MM: What was your favourite scene?
ID: I can’t pick a favourite. I cannot pick a favourite. Uh… Lordy. I don’t know, I can’t pick. It’s been a madcap film. Even going back on all the scenes we’ve shot, it’s so hard to even remember them. But I think the climax shot is so crazy because it’s a very long sequence. It starts off with Padminiji and we have lots of other characters involved in it, so it was quite a mad scene. I think that would probably be one of my favourites.
Team MM: What’s next for you?
ID: I’m doing a film with Varun that’s being directed by David Dhawan. I’m also doing a film with Saif that’s being directed by Raj and DK. Very different directors, tons of new opportunities for me. I’m terribly excited.
Psst! Do you like her look? She’s wearing a Zara Dress and Charles & Keith shoes!
Pix: Khyati Gandhi for MissMalini.