70 COSMOPOLITAN JANUARY 2017cinema], I wasn’t really into it.
Actually, for the first two years, I
hated acting. We’re in an industry
where you need to look like a model
but act like an actor—a trait fairly
exclusive to our industry, I think. I’ve
never looked like a model, so I used
to look at the industry itself with
derision (because I was young and
naïve). But I went into it because I
was 18, and they were giving me a lot
of money. That, to me, was awesome!
I was like, ‘Hey, I didn’t know what I
was doing with my life anyway, so I
guess I’m an actor now!’ At that
point, the money was more than
reason enough!” When she talks
about her career now, the passion has
obviously kicked in with la force
sauvage. “It changed, over time. I
realised how much I actually love my
job, and getting into a character.
When I played Geetanjali for
Baadshaho [her fresh-at-the-box-
office film], I got so into it I cried
copious tears on our last day, straight
through to the wrap party! Milan
[Luthria], my director, was like,
‘What the hell is wrong with you?’
and I couldn’t explain it to him—but
I had gotten unassailably attached to
the character.”
That part of her job she adores, but
the haters? Not so much. “Wow,
yeah, I used to be so into fan clubs
when I was younger. I used to see
‘hate clubs’ made about me and it
would bother me immensely. ‘Why
do they hate me?’ I’d wonder, ‘when
they don’t even know me.’ People
have said cutting things like, ‘She’s
definitely had her nose done,’ and I
just thought that if I’d bought myself
a nose, it wouldn’t be this one. But
now, I deal with it. If I’m not
questioning the love, then why
question the hate? It’s all or nothing,
and I’d rather have it all.”
She confesses that she’s not exactly
free of guilt in the ‘Has she/Hasn’t
she?’ debate. “Oh my God, yes! I
love reading the tabloids and reading
about which celeb was wearing what,
who looked horrible, who hooked up
with whom, who’s had surgery...Embroidered
dress, Péro
by Aneeth
Arora; ring
cuff, Isharya;
glasses,
Fendicosmo interview