Meena Iyer (DNA; December 14, 2018)

Sara Ali Khan should actually be walking in the clouds, considering she has been so well received in her debut film, Abhishek Kapoor’s Kedarnath. However, this 23-year-old knows that if she keeps her head firmly on her shoulders, the chances of her landing on the moon are definitely far more, so she chooses to remain grounded. And, when someone so young and attractive behaves herself, it is nice. Of course, you wonder how long this good behaviour will last but since cynicism is not the order of the day, you just give her upbringing credit, smile and indulge her with the attention she rightfully deserves. Excerpts from our conversation...

How does it feel to be the second most famous person in the country?
Ha ha ha... who is the most famous?

Taimur Ali Khan...
Taimur, yes (smiles). I must tell you that it’s overwhelming. I feel like it was just yesterday that we were sitting together at this same place and talking. You greeted me with as much warmth then as you have today. Thank you for that. It is overwhelming and shocking. I was telling you that soon enough I’m going to say it’s ‘two days to go’, ‘one day to go’ and then it’s going to be ‘D-day’. Now, I can’t believe it’s happened.

To be honest, it has been a little hectic with promoting Kedarnath, shooting a song for Simmba and then dubbing for the film. That hasn’t given me too much time to sit and internalise it. So, I’m thankful for these interviews. It gives one some time to sit and be like, ‘Okay, I’ve done a film and it has released.’ It’s a huge one for me. I am so privileged to be received with the warmth that I have. People like you have always been warm and gracious to me from the very beginning, even before I did anything to prove it. I think especially because of that, I’m a little nervous.

But you haven’t let us down.
Thank you. That’s all I needed to hear.

Not that one doubted that you didn’t have the mettle, but having seen the film, one can say that you genuinely have what it takes to be a good actor. And you’ll soon become a star, too.
Star toh aaj ke zamane mein hota hi nahin hai. There’s so much easy access to us, whether it’s social media or life, in general. I don’t look at that as a go-to, it’s only incidental. Especially since I’ve been given the warmth and acceptance, it’s my duty that I jolly well prove that I have what it takes. If people feel, to some degree, that I’ve been able to do that, I’m grateful and humbled.

Having said that, there were expectations, but not in a negative way like, ‘Oh, my God! They are waiting to hate me!’. Whether it’s my mom, people from the industry or media, in general, there’s been so much love and warmth that I’ve been greeted and treated with, it behooves me to prove that I’m worthy of that.

When we met before Kedarnath released, you said you were happy to have a launch with Abhishek Kapoor and Sushant Singh Rajput. Now that the film is out, how do you look back at the journey?
I’m thankful to them. Being an actor is something one has always dreamt of. But getting the right film? It’s not something you can really plan. When people ask me, ‘What’s your plan?’, I’m like, ‘Kya farak padta hai? At the end of the day, it’s not in your hands.’

Everything has its own trajectory. You don’t see some of the biggest things in your life coming. The first time I heard the script of Kedarnath, I felt convinced. I’m too new, I don’t have craft or experience. The only thing I have is conviction and honesty. I believed I could play the character of Mukku/Mandakini honestly. The appreciation I’ve got is purely because there was not a single moment on the set when I was not convinced. Now that the film is out, I’ll be even more honest and tell you. There were days that were difficult. We had ups and downs. Whether logistically, personally, geographically or physically, it wasn’t an easy journey. Regardless of that fact, there was not a single day when I woke up in the morning and thought to myself ki ‘yeh kyun kiya?’

How did your mom and dad react to the film?
Mom had heard the narration and she had also seen some rushes. But she still cried in the climax, so that was a big one for me.

She watched it at the film’s trial for the cast and crew?
Mom and I went to see it at a multiplex on Saturday night. Both my parents and I did not wish to watch the trial. You know, there’s an element of ‘Wow, wow, wow’ that goes on trials. We’ve all done it and we will continue to do it. I think they wanted to retain some objectivity, which is already so difficult because I’m their beloved. I think that’s what they were trying to do more than anything else. And so we took the film in at a regular show.

And your dad?
I think his favourite scene is the Ganga dubki. He keeps saying, ‘There is an expression on our face, you’re freezing, you’re doing this, but you’re also expressing’. They are relieved, proud and also grateful for the acceptance I have got. I think they have liked my work objectively. I think they are appreciating more the way other people are reacting to my work, because touch wood, they are receiving it well.

Has your brother Ibrahim watched the movie?
No, Ibrahim hasn’t seen it yet. He landed from London only on December 13. He studies there. Now that he is back, he and I will watch the movie together.

How many times have you seen it?
With Ibrahim, it will be my third watch. I watched at the cast and crew trial, then with mom. I can watch it again and again (smiles).

Do you find any fault when you revisit your work?
Yes, of course. But that’s natural. They are not jarring faults, but you feel you could have done some things better. The day I stop feeling that way, I’m in trouble. This is the kind of job where you have to keep growing. People often ask me, ‘Are you ready?’ ‘Now what?’ I tell them that you can never be ready. It’s not that chapter one is over.

Today, I have the conviction that I can read this book. Now, I’m about to start reading this book, that’s the change from our last meeting to this. I can’t say that I’ve mastered chapter one and now it’s time to master chapter two. That’s not where we’re at. We know we have the potential to read, that’s where we’re at.

Last time you also spoke about some reservations in waving back at the paparazzi? Do you wave back to them now?
Yes, 100 per cent. I do wave back, I smile and I give interviews. We have moved a little more from there.

You’re quite a darling of the media.
I’ll be honest and try to give you an objective number. Because it’s my first film and I have worked hard, I think 80 per cent of the reviews and appreciation is deserved, while 20 per cent is a little biased because they like me. I have to tell you... critics, interviewers, media, people from the industry, they just like me.

Any butterflies in your stomach now?
I’m not worried, but I’m aware that now the game has begun.

Those who have seen your songs from Simmba say, ‘We can’t take our eyes off Sara. She’s dancing next to Ranveer Singh, who is such a bundle of energy’.  How do you take that?
The more appreciation one gets, the more butterflies one feels. You realise that there is more and more to live up to. You can only go further, there is no going backwards in life. So after moving from step 0.1, I have to move to step 0.2. That’s my duty, otherwise there is no movement. And if there is no movement, then what am I doing? I’ve always said that it’s not about where you start from, it’s about how much you grow. From now on, the aim is to do more hard work, with more dedication.

Kareena (Kapoor Khan) liked your performance too and messaged you…
Yes, she did send me a message. My father calls me every day, saying ‘I loved your work’, talking about one scene or the other and ‘I’m so proud of you’. Every day, more and more people are watching the film and messaging my parents. And quite naturally, they are excited. It’s just amazing. I’m really enjoying this moment.

Currently, you’re between two films. Kedarnath and Simmba are different worlds. You must have realised that too while dubbing.
Yes, from an author-backed character to a commercial Hindi film heroine, the roles and dynamics are different. The dream is to act, so you can do diverse kinds of films, genres and roles. It’s not that one is easier than the other. Doing Ganga dubki is as difficult as having Karisma Kapoor’s loveable energy in your eyes. Dancing to Aankh Maare with Ranveer Singh next to you in a Neha Kakkar-rendered song is also challenging, sometimes even more challenging. I’m excited about the opportunity to do various kinds of roles.

So you’re taking one step at a time?
Yes, I’m waiting for Simmba now. I got lucky with Kedarnath and Simmba coming like this. It wasn’t a plan. The only thing is that I aspire for versatility. That’s the aspiration, but conviction is essential. As long as I’m convinced about the world, I’m game. And you need to know why you’re doing what you’re doing. You do a film for different reasons — you love the script or you love the director you’re dying to work with, or getting a character you’re dying to play.

Or somebody may even tempt you with big money.
Maybe, but it’s too soon in my career for that. So long as you know what you’re doing and you have an opportunity to do different roles, I think that’s what there is to it. To be honest, I’m restless. I want to be on set again. I want to do a film again, like today.

Not restless as in wanting to take a break?
Touch wood, no breaks. Honestly, I’ve not slept more than six hours in a long time. I wouldn’t mind a 12-hour break, but no more. I don’t want to be at home ever (smiles).