Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 15, 2020)

She entered Bollywood as an outsider, and Kiara Advani wouldn’t have possibly dreamt that within five years, she’d get to work with some of the top names in the industry. And among all her co-stars, the one she finds “very special” to work with, is Akshay Kumar.

“After all, he launched me in the film industry. (Advani made her acting debut with Fugly in 2014, which was co-produced by Kumar),” she says. As luck would have it, she worked alongside him in last year’s hit, Good Newwz. And, she is again paired opposite the 52-year-old in her next, Laxmmi Bomb.

“So, it’s like life has come full circle from where I had started. I think our equation has evolved over all these years,” she adds.

The Kabir Singh (2019) actor recalls how, during Good Newwz, she “learnt a lot” from Kumar as well as her onscreen husband, Diljit Dosanjh, who is “an extremely fine actor.”

“In the film, Diljit and Akshay sir together were like fire. They always brought something new to the table. During the entire experience (of the shoot), I learnt so much even in the comedy space since it was the first time that I dabbled in that genre. I think I have learnt a lot from working with such incredible actors,” says the 27-year-old.

Currently in the sixth year of her acting career, armed with a loaded lineup ahead, does she look back and introspect on her journey? “Personally, for me, every single film has been a turning point because there is something that I’ve learnt from each and every film, and taken that learning forward. Whether they were successful or not, they’re mine and I’m proud of all of them. That’s always been the way I looked at it,” says the actor, who’s getting rave reviews for her recently released web film, Guilty.

Her upcoming slate of films include Indoo Ki Jawani, Shershaah and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 and the actor admits she couldn’t have been happier. “I’m extremely grateful for all the love; it’s extremely humbling. It only motivates me, and makes me hungrier to do better (work) and reach out to many more people now,” she concludes.