Even after a night shift that ended with her going to bed at 9 am, Nushrratt Bharuccha is excited to talk about her upcoming sports dramedy, Chhalaang. “Being a part of this world with Raj (co-star Rajkummar Rao) and Hansal (Mehta, director) sir makes me want to change my life for the better. It’s great to play a positive character for a change,” she chuckles, adding that she thoroughly enjoyed her diction training in Haryanvi. Interestingly, 10 years ago, Raj and Nushrratt started their journeys together with Dibakar Banerjee’s Love Sex Aur Dhokha. The actress believes there couldn’t have been a better way to celebrate the milestone. “It’s the best reunion for us as it is not a comedy with cartoonish characters; it’s a film that will motivate kids,” she shares.

The film also marks a reunion for Hansal and Raj after Omerta and for Nushrratt and frequent collaborator, producer Luv Ranjan. Was there a Team Hansal vs Team Luv clash on the set? “On the contrary, Luv sir and Hansal sir became friends and it was them against us. Raj and I were team less, while kids were in charge; they’re the life of our film,” she chortles.

Chhalaang is a story about a teacher who becomes a role model for his students. Nushrratt who plays computer teacher, Neelima, admits that she’s had many teachers who made her see things differently, starting with her grandmother who’s the most progressive woman she knows. “She went on a world tour on her honeymoon and taught foreigners how to drape a saree,” she laughs. Her dad helped her with academics while her mom and aunt gave her valuable life lessons. “My aunt was the first girl from my Muslim family to get married to a Hindu boy. Theirs was a great love story,” she asserts.

Recently, she moved into a three bedroom-apartment, a five-minute walk away from her family home in Juhu, which she bought with her own earnings. “I feel very responsible now. While the place was being painted, I’d tell the painters that if I found even one hand print on my white walls, they’d have to stay the night and clean up. I can be a tough taskmaster,” Nushrratt admits, saying the house is like her baby. “I did everything myself, from choosing the colour of the walls to the curtains and even the bedsheets. Thanks to the sheer curtains in my bedroom, I’m up at 8 am every day and the world looks sunshine-y. This Diwali will be special as it will be the first in our new home,” she asserts.

Chhalaang also opens on Diwali and she is grateful it is getting a release, even if it is on OTT, during the pandemic. “It talks about taking a leap of faith that is really necessary now when people are losing hope,” she points out.

Many of Nushrratt’s colleagues are either off on a vacation or have returned from one. The actress has no such plans. “These last seven months were like a vacation for me even though I was locked up at home. I was mentally relaxed because we didn’t know what would happen next. But now, it will be just work for the next six-seven months; I want to enjoy that. I am currently in Agra filming Hurdang, there’s still around 10 days of work left in Mumbai. Then, I start shooting for Chhori from November 20,” she relays.

Buzz is, she’s doing a silent film with Durgavati director G Ashok, produced by Luv Ranjan, along with her Dream Girl director Raaj Shaandilyaa’s maiden production, to be helmed by Omung Kumar, and the Aadai remake. She doesn’t want to talk about them. “Everything will happen, but to know what and when, you’ll have to wait for an official announcement,” she says shortly. Any updates on Pyaar Ka Punchnama 3 and Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety 2? “Bhushan ji (Kumar, producer) announced them, and he will be producing these films which Luv sir will write. So, it’s up to them to figure the dates, I am clueless,” she signs off.

Over the years, several Bollywood actors have taken to the idea of living independently in their own pad, while their family home is just a few blocks away. Joining the likes of these celebrities is Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety actress Nushrratt Bharuccha, who feels that she has fulfilled the dream of having an entire house to herself in the city. The Mumbai girl, who has always lived with her folks, is now prepping to move into her own home.

Talking about doing up her sea-facing apartment in Juhu, Nushrratt says, “I am extremely excited as I get to choose my own wallpapers, crockery, curtains and paint. I have always lived with my parents in their house, and so, I never got to do all this. I believe that one’s home décor is an extension of their personality. The most exciting thing about it is that it has a small terrace and I am enjoying my time doing it up. I am going to fill it up with a lot of plants and a day bed with a self-cover, so that I can lounge there during the day.”

The actress feels that her lifestyle was getting too chaotic for her parents, and so, moving out is the right decision. “I have been feeling bad for my parents. It’s just that whenever I have to go for an event or any other public appearance, I have at least eight-ten people coming to my house to help me get ready. So, suddenly my parents would be amidst a lot of people and chaos at home. I felt that this is not their life; they didn’t ask for this. I also have my grandma at home, who would see a house suddenly turning into my workplace. I felt that was a hindrance for them,” explains Nushrratt, who now has an entire room in her new apartment, which is her “getting-ready-for-work” space.

Nushrratt, who is waiting for the right time to move out, says, “I was planning to move out before the lockdown, but then I stayed back. I am not used to staying by myself, and so, I will be dragging my mom with me when I move to my new home. She will be shuttling between two houses.”