A solid actor, timeless trendsetter, the quintessential Bobby of Bollywood, Dimple Kapadia, has made a praiseworthy Hollywood debut in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, where she features in a significant role. Despite being a renowned actor herself, she doesn’t shy away from calling herself a Nolan fan and confesses that she went for the audition hoping to click a picture with him. In a chat with Bombay Times, she talks about how she bagged the film and her experience of working with the filmmaker. Excerpts from the chat:

It’s not about waiting to make the right choices, but to just keep working hard. Keep going... day in and day out. The universe is open to giving you the opportunities, but remember to take those opportunities. When I landed this role, I overcame several obstacles, and most importantly, the fear of rejection. When they cast me, I didn’t know the length of my part or what my role would be. Even if it was a small part, I would have done it just for the opportunity of working with a director (Christopher Nolan) I absolutely adore.

I got a call for an audition, which I thought was a prank call. Why would Christopher Nolan want me for his film? I am nowhere on the radar. I told my nephew (Karan Kapadia), ‘Koi meri taang kheench raha hoga. Don’t get your hopes too high.’ I wondered what if I couldn’t remember my lines to save my life! I don’t do auditions anymore (smiles!). Then I thought… let me give it a shot to see whether I can do it. I did it and sent it across. Then I was told that Nolan is coming to India and I was requested to do an audition for him. I went with Karan to take a picture with Nolan, and thought… ‘Part toh milne wala hai nahin, photo hi sahi.’ When I got the part, I was nervous and was wondering how do I prepare for the role. I told my mother, ‘Mom, your daughter is working with one of the biggest directors in the world.’ I haven’t seen her smile like that in years.

He does one reading with his actors. If he is satisfied with it, there are no further instructions. Just do your job, if he feels something is not up to the mark or hasn’t been briefed to you well, he will come in. But otherwise, he is totally focussed on seeing your performance. He watches you very closely… like a hawk. All you have to do is be there and do what is required. He doesn’t push you around at all.

I am a huge fan of his work, especially The Prestige, which I have seen four times. It’s a masterpiece. That is what cinema is to me and that is what I told my nephew (Karan) when I saw it for the first time. We watched it together. I don’t watch many movies and I completely forgot the name of the director. Cut to Tenet, when I told Karan that I was called to audition for some Christopher Nolan, he saw a question mark on my face and said, “That’s Nolan… your favourite director… The Prestige!’ Then it hit me and I couldn’t believe it. I was stunned and shocked, and of course, very happy.

I am from Mumbai and they had come from abroad. We had to show them our Indian hospitality and generosity. We are known for the love and respect we bestow upon our guests. I felt responsible for representing India. It was lovely. I had a gift for everyone. They had to see what India was all about.