In the last few years, Parineeti Chopra has picked projects where her character has a distinct presence in the storyline and a lot of substance. Not every film that she has been a part of has hit the bull’s eye, but what makes her happy is that her life experiences are helping her grow as an actor, and pushing her to take those chances in her professional space with films like Saina, The Girl On The Train and Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar. She is also excited about the kind of roles that actresses are being offered now and the fact that they no longer have to follow a template to be successful in the industry. “I feel that there used to be a template for a Bollywood heroine, which I think has been done away with,” says the actress.

She adds, “I think now actresses are not differentiated in terms of the content they are giving the audience. So, whether it’s a male or a female actor, if you are not doing something interesting or don’t have a character that is full of substance, chances are the audience will not accept it. I, too, have sometimes done a project that didn’t have as much for me to do in terms of the character I played. Today, the audience expects substance and that is why actresses are getting the sort of roles where we can shoulder films and not just be an accessory anymore.”

Parineeti, like the current breed of actors, likes to dig deep into every role she plays, which demands tremendous effort on the part of the actor and a lot of emotional energy. But she has learnt the art of striking the work-life balance. She loves and enjoys her craft, but is not obsessed with her profession. In fact, her co-star and close friend Arjun Kapoor vouches for it. In an interview with us, talking about her, he had said, “Parineeti is not your typical film-viewing, obsessed-with-cinema kind of a person, and despite that, she still has an interesting way of playing characters. She has her family, a close bunch of friends and her own world, and perhaps that seclusion or separate life allows her to be a better actor. ”

Bring this up with Parineeti, and she says, “Arjun is 100 per cent right about it; that’s why he has been my friend for so many years. He knows me very well. If I was to compare myself to anyone who has grown up in Mumbai, maybe in the film industry too, it’s a completely different set-up.”

Parineeti says, “Their family and friends are from here, while mine aren’t. I come from a different background, and my friends are all non-filmi, and my interests, hobbies and passions are also non-filmi. I didn’t grow up watching films, so the moment I am not an actor, I am doing something that is not related to films. I am either travelling or am with my family and friends. Most of my friends live all over the world. Even if I have a few days off, I am with them. I am not at every party or dinner because I feel it is important for me to keep recharging myself so that I can do my best as a creative person.”

Talking about the need to take breaks at regular intervals, she shares, “If I am saturated or if I have too much of a certain thing, I won’t be able to do my best. It’s not like I am avoiding parties to be a better actor (laughs!) What I mean is I try to lead a very balanced life, and all those experiences that I go out there and get, help me be my best, not just on the screen but even as a person. Arjun is absolutely right, I go back to that solid background, so I can keep coming back. Some actors are in it 24/7, and that works for them. To each their own.”