Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; November 20, 2018)

She has had her share of fame down South. But now, with a number of Hindi films in her kitty, Rakul is all set to make her mark in Bollywood as well. In a chat with BT, the actress talks about her love for fitness, foraying into business and her search for love. Excerpts...

Besides De De Pyar De (DDPD) with Ajay Devgn and Tabu, you are also reuniting with your Aiyaary co-star Sidharth Malhotra for Marjaavaan and playing Sridevi in the NTR biopic. 2018 seems to be ending on a great note for you...
My achievements are for people to appreciate and celebrate, not for me. I can either feel happy about what I have achieved, despite coming from a non-filmi background, or I can look at those who have achieved way beyond. When I look at Priyanka Chopra or Deepika Padukone’s journey and the kind of films Alia Bhatt is doing, I feel that I have just begun and there is so much more to do. But yes, I am grateful to work with some of the top names in cinema.

Your second Hindi film Aiyaary released four years after your debut Yaariyan, which did well at the box office. Why did you wait so long for your second outing in Bollywood?
I started shooting for my first Telugu film two days after I finished Yaariyan, but it released before the latter and became a big hit. Before I knew, I landed three big films in the South, and I felt, ‘Achha kaam aa raha hai toh le lo abhi’. By the time Yaariyan released, I couldn’t accommodate any Hindi film in my packed schedule. There was also a certain sense of stardom, as I was touted to be the next big face in the South. I have always believed that it’s better to be a star in one industry than be a struggler everywhere. So, it was a conscious decision to continue there and take time off whenever a great offer comes my way from Bollywood.

You are shooting for six films simultaneously, in various languages. How difficult is juggling not just films, but also industries?
I have done 16 Telugu films in four years and I’m used to doing several projects at a time. The only difference this year is that now, Bollywood has come in a big way. There isn’t much difference between the industries besides the fact that in the South, we start early and don’t shoot beyond 6 pm unless in dire situations. It’s the team you work with, that define your experience in any industry.

Tell us how different is your character in De De Pyar De from that in Marjaavaan?
DDPD is a new-age love story between Ajay sir and me. The age gap is part of the script. In Marjaavaan, I have a different role and I think that it will help me push the envelope.

Recently, we have seen an increasing number of actors playing their age on screen. Your take?
It’s a sign that the industry is maturing; we are seen as actors and not heroes or heroines. I have always believed that the script is the biggest hero, and that realisation is seeping in strongly now. Senior actors are understanding that cinema has evolved with great scripts coming in, and also, smaller films are doing well at the box office. Also, it shows that the audience is maturing and content will precede everything else.

Lulls are a part of every actor’s career. So, how do you handle a film’s failure at the box office?
Even if my film doesn’t work, I celebrate that Friday night. That’s because I know that there are so many people out there, who are vying for just one role. I want to celebrate the fact that I am getting to do something that I always wanted to do. And, if the film is a success, I believe that it’s not mine alone, it’s the entire team’s effort. A lot of effort goes into making a film whether it’s a hit or a flop.

You will be seen playing the legendary Sridevi in the NTR biopic. As an actor, do you feel a lot of pressure?
Playing Sridevi comes with a lot of pressure, because I know that I will be criticised. I have always said that I am not her; in fact, nobody can be her. We are just trying to replicate her to the best of our abilities. I will do my best and not bother about the rest.

With such hectic schedules, do you find time for love?
I am single and I don’t know why. My friends tell me that I don’t know how to play the game. I can’t flirt to save my life. Now, I feel the need to make it happen. I have asked all my friends in Mumbai and Hyderabad to find me a guy. I am a sucker for love.

What else are you passionate about?
I enjoy fitness, and have opened three fitness centres. I can look at a plate of food and tell you the amount of calories in it. I also see myself opening a restaurant a few years down the line because I love food. My dream is to go on a world tour to enjoy various cuisines.