How do you stay focussed?
Discipline is important and I'm an army officer's daughter. So my focus is laser sharp when it comes to work. I guess that is what my parents taught me before my first alphabet. I channelled my entire grief into Mary Kom, when I was shooting it (her father died during the shooting). People didn't know my father, but he had a towering personality. He was my superhero. Life had suddenly become very empty without him. I think I used the movie to fill up the emptiness in my life.

How do you deal with bad days?
I have had more bad days than most people, but I don't like to show it. Once I step out of my car, I'm smiling and I'm happy. It's my game face.

Have you ever been on the other side of the fan-star equation?
Growing up, I was a fan of a few people. Even though I hold them in high regard, I cannot name them because they are my co-stars today. Three years ago, I had a fan girl moment with Bono (of U2) when he took out his guitar and sang for me in the make-up room at the 10th anniversary celebrations of the Clinton Foundation in Los Angeles. I was introduced to him by my music label. He just said, 'For the prettiest girl in the room,' and went down on his knees and sang for me.

You started working in the industry when you were 17. Any advice to your younger co-stars?
Today, actors have more knowledge. Arjun (Kapoor) and I enjoy talking about acting. I just tell them one thing: Every actor has to find his or her own way. Acting is one of the few professions that cannot be learned because it's a projection of your imagination and the honesty of an actor comes from within hisher soul.