Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 16, 2019)

Multi-starrers are not new for Urvashi Rautela. Back in 2016, she was seen in the adult comedy, Great Grand Masti. And now, she is part of the upcoming film, Pagalpanti, which too, features an ensemble cast. However, the actress says that this time around, her outing is on a bigger and grander scale.

Ask her if it was intimidating to share screen space with an actor like Anil Kapoor, and she replies, “Anil sir made me feel totally at home. He also he gave me a lot of tips and guided me throughout the film.” She adds, “He is a legendary actor. I have been a big fan of his. While growing up, I enjoyed watching his movies like Mr. India (1987), Ram Lakhan (1989) and Beta (1992). I also loved his performance in Slumdog Millionaire (2008).”

Urvashi bonded well with John Abraham, too. “I connected with John. I could relate to him as he has a modelling background. Also, like me, he, too, started off with a pageant. John, Anil sir and I are fitness enthusiasts. So, we all used to work out together at the same gym, during the shoot of the film.”

The comic caper also features Pulkit Samrat and Arshad Warsi, and Urvashi says that the boys were quite a riot on the sets. “They used to play pranks. Arshad was extremely funny and used to pull my leg a lot. He used to make fun of me in front of everyone. By the end of the shoot, I was used to it,” she recalls.

The actress, who is known for her dance moves and has been a part of songs like Daddy Mummy (Bhaag Johnny, 2015) and Haseeno Ka Deewana (Kaabil, 2017), is happy that she got a chance to groove to Bimar Dil in Pagalpanti. The song is the recreated version of the Sridevi-starrer, Tera Bemar Mera Dil from Chaalbaaz (1989). Urvashi says, “Sridevi ma’am has always been my idol. I am extremely thankful to director Anees Bazmee for making the song with me. I was already a part of the cast when he told me one day that he wants to do that song with me. It is a recreated version and the steps are different from the original. I hope that the viewers don’t compare me with Sridevi ma’am.”

While she is known for her moves, doesn’t Urvashi crave to be known as an ‘actress’? “I am sure things will change once people see Pagalpanti. I have some good comic scenes in the film. Today, acting is definitely my main focus. I am happy that with this film, I am getting a chance to prove my acting abilities,” she signs off.