Rakul Preet Singh explains why screen time is inconsequential to her, promises more releases in the coming year and talks about being single in the city
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 5, 2019)

Marjaavaan is your fourth film since your debut in Yaariyan five years ago. What makes you so selective?
I moved to Mumbai after the Miss India contest and landed Yaariyan. Two days after wrapping that, I rolled with my first Telugu film. Yaariyan took a year to release by when I’d signed three-four more Telugu films. Being young and naïve, I didn’t know I’d to live in Mumbai to get work here. I was to do M S Dhoni - The Untold Story, but the dates changed because of the length of Sushant’s (Singh Rajput) hair. Neeraj sir (Pandey, producer-director) offered me Aiyaary, before that opened, I’d got De De Pyaar De and before that released, I’d landed Marjaavaan. I moved to the city after De De Pyaar De and have already bagged four films.

Isn’t Marjaavaan a special appearance?
Milap (Zaveri, director) sold it to me saying, “This is my Rekha of Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, my Chandramukhi of Devdas.” Aarzoo is a tawaif of the ’90s with nazaaqat and shayari. I’ve grown up on characters like her but haven’t seen them lately. Arzoo has raw sex appeal as opposed to De De Pyaar De’s girl-next-door Ayesha. Plus, there are Milap’s bhaari bharkam dialogues. As for screen time, Rekha ji didn’t have a full-length role, neither did Tabu in Jeet. Even Chandramukhi was a supporting role. Yet, they are all remembered. I’d rather see a role for what it is than compare it with what it is not.

Didn’t you want Tara Sutaria’s lead role?
Both roles are great and different. If offered Zoya’s role, I’d have done it.

Buzz is, you’ve signed up Attack opposite John Abraham.
I’ve signed four films which will be announced by the month-end.

And you’ve started Shankar’s Indian 2 with Kamal Haasan...
Shankar sir is a visionary, always calm and knows exactly what he wants. Kamal sir is one of the finest actors, I feel blessed to work with them in a film.

When the first Indian released, you must have been six years old?
(Laughs) I saw it much later, after I started working in Telugu films. When I was a kid, Kamal sir’s Chachi 420 was a favourite. When working with those who know so much, you end up learning a little too, without much effort.

How nervous were you?
If it had been my first or second film, I’d have been nervous but now I’m more excited. I always wanted to do big films with big actors. I’m greedy, give me better co-stars, and I will do better.

It also has Kajal Aggarwal...
Kajal is in the flashback portions with Kamal sir. I’m with Siddharth, who plays the younger guy in the present.

Do you have a secret man tucked away?
In the last five years, I’ve been busy with 30 films, there was no time for romance. Had I met the right guy, I wouldn’t have turned him away, saying “Now, is the time to work.” Even my parents are complaining, “The whole world knows you’re single.” This Diwali, my mom told me to go party and find a guy for myself.


Rekha in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar; Rakul in Marjaavaan