For Rakul Preet Singh, Diwali isn’t just a festival rooted in nostalgia. It’s lit up with tradition and seasoned with values passed down from her father, Diwali continues to hold a special place in her heart no matter where in the world she is.

Rakul says, “Diwali is one of my most favourite festivals. It’s all about meeting people, celebrating together – and for me, there’s this one tradition I never skip: the pre-Diwali cleaning and lighting up the house with diyas. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid. I used to make these small rangolis outside the house, decorate every corner, keep the doors open in the evening, and do the Diwali puja.”

The De De Pyaar De actress adds, “As a kid, my fondest Diwali memories were just being with all the kids around the neighbourhood. My brother and I would burst crackers. I used to be super excited about anars and rockets. That was such a fun phase.”

But she recollects how that phase didn’t last long. “After I turned 10, I stopped bursting crackers. My dad said, ‘Let’s not waste money on crackers – let’s feed people instead.’ And that stayed with me. It was a big shift in how I viewed Diwali,” she shares.

With festive parties in full swing in the city, Rakul admits that sticking to a fitness routine during Diwali is no easy feat. “That’s a battle I fight in my head all the time,” she laughs, adding, “With all the Diwali indulgences and so many parties happening, my fitness routine definitely goes for a toss.”

But she has a strategy to stay on track (mostly!). She says, “What I try to do is have my dinner before heading out for parties so that I’m already full. That way, I only end up nibbling. I give myself one day where I decide, ‘Okay, this is the party where I will eat,’ and then I work out a little extra the next day. Not that it fully compensates for bad eating, but at least in my head, it helps.”

It’s her first Lohri post shaadi, and Rakul Preet Singh, who tied the knot with Jackky Bhagnani in February 2024, is excited to celebrate the festival with the family she’s married into. The actress exclusively posed for us dressed in traditional finery and spoke about the many memories associated with the festival and how she plans to celebrate it this year.

Rakul says, “Every festival is about getting the family together and enjoying the festivities. Today, on Lohri, I am looking forward to spending time with my family. I am going to miss my maa ke haath ka khaana. There is some magic in mom-made food. Every time I visit my parents in Delhi, I tell my mom what to cook for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so I can relish it to the fullest,” says Rakul, who loves indulging in garma-garam sarson ka saag and makki ki roti on this occasion.

The De De Pyaar De actress shares that her husband Jackky, who is Sindhi, is more Punjabi than she is. “My brother (Aman Preet) always jokes that Jackky is Punjabi and I am Sindhi. I, too, think that Jackky is a dilkhush Punjabi… he is more like khule dil khaana peena. I have also taught him some Punjabi words like khota (silly), siyapa (problem) and meesana (cunning). That has become our language when we have to communicate something when others are present,” she says.

Rakul gets nostalgic and fondly remembers her childhood memories of celebrating Lohri in her Delhi home. She recalls, “On Lohri, I always remember the celebration we would have as kids with our grandparents. We used to sing songs like Sunder Mundriye, and in return, they would give us gifts and money. My brother and I would compete to see who gets the most gifts. We would have a big bonfire on the terrace or lawn, which was perfect as it would be very cold in Delhi.”

During all these years, even with a busy working schedule, the actress has mostly tried to be home during the festival. However, she recounts the time when she celebrated Lohri on a film set. “I remember shooting for Aiyaary (2018) on Lohri. We had a bonfire on set and threw moongfali, gud and other things into the fire as offerings,” she says. Talking about the custom of dancing around the bonfire, she adds, “I can’t do gidda, maybe I can see others and copy a step or two, but yes, I can do bhangra.”

Actor Rakul Preet Singh recently left her fans curious after her photo dump from London, where she was holidaying for the New Year’s, had a caption that spoke about food guilt. Ask about it and she shares, “I have always been into wellness, but there is a fine line before it becomes an obsession, which has happened with me in the past. I had to constantly tell myself, ‘It’s okay, you don’t have to check your weight daily’. This is the first time I’m speaking about it.”

The 34-year-old adds, “I felt that a lot of young girls will resonate with it. It’s not just about actors anymore; in this age of social media, Gen Z and the younger generations seek validation from how they look online. It’s all about how many likes a picture gets. I was reading a report about how so many young girls are bulimic or anorexic, and it led me to say that we all go through this guilt, and it’s okay. We need to talk about food depression among people, especially young girls.”

Singh admits that many young girls aspire for the physiques that female actors have and become body conscious. She says, “Young aspirational girls feel that actresses look wow. They should know that it’s a lot of work. Nobody is born like this. We all worry about that one pimple that’ll come up before a shoot; it’s human.”

The actor also points out people’s changing priorities due to societal expectations. “I have met young girls who say that they need to lose five kilos as there’s a wedding. They’ll stop eating, but you have to ask, is that wedding your priority or your life? I am not an expert to talk about it, but I feel that more food experts in India should talk about how young girls are going through this,” says Singh.

In her profession, does she constantly feel the pressure to meet these high beauty standards? “It depends on the kind of role you are playing. If you are doing a glamorous role, where you are supposed to look hot and sexy, you have to look like that. If I’m not doing justice to my role, I am not doing justice to my job,” she says.

She goes on to talk about not feeling the pressure of constantly looking a certain way: “As an actor, you are already putting yourself out there for scrutiny. So, you need to take it with a pinch of salt. Also, nobody is asking anybody to be extra lean or anorexic. You are just asked to be presentable, because it’s the demand of your profession.”

“I am elated to be a part of such a legendary franchise,” says Rakul Preet Singh, who plays a major role in Indian 2, produced by A Subaskaran of Lyca Productions. The actress vividly remembers the impact the original Indian (1996) had on her.

“After watching it, I was like, ‘Wow, what a film’. It is one of those films that you remember for the kind of impact it had on society. I never imagined that there would be a sequel to that film and that I’d star in it. So, I’m just extremely happy to be part of such a grand film that could be the voice of the country,” she says.

Rakul is also elated that she got to tick two names off her wish list by working in the film, which is set to hit screens on July 12. “When you become an actor, there’s a checklist of people that you want to work with one day. With Indian 2, I got a chance to work with two of those people – Kamal Haasan sir and Shankar sir! I admire the work ethic of both these stalwarts in their respective spaces. On the first day, Kamal sir’s prosthetics makeup took four to five hours. We were shooting in the outdoor heat of Chennai. We were sweating without wearing any prosthetics, but Kamal sir went about it calmly. A person of that stature doesn’t need to take on so much hardship at this point in his career, but he’s pushing the boundaries with his work and that too with a happy smile,” she gushes.

She calls Shankar “a delight to work with”. “He has such clarity of thought. It’s not easy to handle so many people and such huge sets, but the calm and composed attitude with which he goes about it is just amazing,” she says.

The actress is all praise for her costar Siddharth, who she’s paired with in the film “We all know that he is a talented actor. Otherwise, it’s not easy to complete two decades in an industry that is so cutthroat. He is an extremely easy person to work with, as he is friendly, enthusiastic and always happy,” she says.

“My character in the film is that of a headstrong and focused girl. She is very sorted and clear about what she wants. She voices out whatever she feels. I relate a lot to her because parts of her are also how I am in real life,” says Rakul.

For Rakul Preet Singh, cycling has always been a way of life while growing up in different army cantonments where her father had been posted. In a chat with us, the actress shares her fondest memories of riding the two-wheeler, and how she hops on to a cycle whenever and wherever she gets a chance.

Rakul’s father gifted her a bicycle when she was in the 5th grade and taught her to ride it. She shares, “I used to ride my cycle with the supporting side wheels, which I refused to take off because I was afraid of losing my balance. Then one day, dad made them so loose that they came off while I was riding the cycle and he yelled, ‘Look you are cycling without the side supporters.’ While I was riding fine until then, the minute my dad pointed that out, I lost my balance and fell. I still have the bruise on my leg from the fall that day.”

Sharing an anecdote from her growing up years at various cantonments, Rakul says, “I stayed in Deolali, Jalandhar and Firozpur army cantonments. My parents made sure that my brother and I would move around on cycles, rather than take car rides. So, from going to school to going for our swimming sessions, we would use cycles. Riding a cycle has been an integral part of my growing up years,” shares the actress.

Rakul also prefers cycling to work, especially when she’s shooting at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. “The outer ring road in Hyderabad has a dedicated cycling track. Once I reach the ring road, I get the cycle out of my car and ride it for an hour till I reach Film City, while my car continues to follow me. Then I put the cycle back in my car, have a shower in my vanity van and get ready for the shoot,” she says.

The actress often rides bicycles with her husband Jackky Bhagnani when they are on foreign vacays. She tells us, “Jackky and I love to cycle around London, especially at Hyde Park. I never ride pillion! Do I look like someone who would ride a pillion? Phir woh cycle ho, bike ho ya car… bas mujhe hi chalani hai (laughs). It’s so much fun to cycle around in Amsterdam and London. They have cycle stations where you can pick up cycles from anywhere and drop them anywhere. It’s so convenient. And the weather there permits you to ride too.”

On this day dedicated to bicycles, Rakul urges people to take to this healthy way of life, saying, “Everyone should try and make a conscious effort to cycle around for short distances. We all need to make a collective effort towards a better future otherwise we are just consuming everything the planet has to offer and not giving back anything in return. So, wherever we can, we need to take these small steps.”

It’s their first Holi together as a couple and they can’t stop grinning ear-to-ear as they pose exclusively for a shoot with HT City. Afterwards actor-couple Rakul Preet Singh and Jackky Bhagnani sit down for a chat with us, sharing their excitement of celebrating the festival as newlyweds. Excerpts:

Jackky: I am very excited because she has finally brought colour to my life.

Rakul: Arre yaar aisi baatein karke hi he takes all the brownie points! (laughs) We haven’t played Holi together before this. This shoot is the first time we have applied colour to each other because Jackky was in London for the first two years [of us dating]. And last year he was shooting for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, so I played Holi with my friends.

Jackky: I used to play a lot. But of late, I have become conscious about water conservation. Of course we throw colours, but I haven’t played the typical kind of Holi anytime recently.

Rakul: We would love to play the colour wali Holi [as kids]. Any festival is a celebration of your closest people coming together and just having a good time. It’s all about food and feasting.

Jackky: Once my friends and I started playing Holi at nine in the morning, which went on till midnight!

Rakul: In Delhi, we used to play the dirty Holi, throw eggs at each other. When I was in school, we used to throw balloons, use pakka colour that would leave our ears red for a week!

Rakul: I don’t feel even 1% change. When we started dating three years ago, we had a chat about this. We feel complete as individuals and together we are just happier. I don’t have to call him 15 times a day saying, ‘I am getting bored’, ‘How are you?’ I have to figure what I have to do in my life and it’s the same for him. When we are together, we leave work behind. Our biggest strength is that we are best friends!

Jackky: We respect each other’s space and work. I am proud of what she does.

Rakul Preet Singh clocked in five releases in 2022 and one at the beginning of 2023. It’s obviously a busy time in her career. Lately, the actress has also been making news for matters of the heart as she is dating actor-producer Jackky Bhagnani. Rakul, who is enjoying this phase of her career, believes that her work will speak for her. Excerpts from a chat with the actress:

I don’t put much thought into what I have done right because I always live in the present. The moment my films release, it becomes the past. My energies are always on what I need to do next and how I can do better projects and grow as an actor. I am grateful that things panned out the way they have. I am also grateful to all the makers who believed in me as I got to do diverse films — from a commercial movie like Cuttputlli to a thriller like Runway 34 and the campus comedy Doctor G, in which I played a small-town doctor. What’s most important is the love of the audience because box-office numbers are driven by too many factors.

We are creating a debate where there is none. It’s just an outcome of there being so many platforms and the fact that everyone has an opinion on social media. South Indian cinema has been celebrated for the longest time on Hindi GECs (general entertainment channels), where people watch these films. It’s the influx of too much consumption during the pandemic, which is why it became a talking point, and I am glad because those films needed to be celebrated. Regional and Hindi cinema both are a part of the Indian industry, so there is no comparison. Today, if a film is good, it will find its audience. We should rather speak about the amazing time that we are in, where a great exchange of content, artistes and directors is happening, and the fact that we can make such great international-level cinema using talent across the country.

No, I haven’t had that thought because it was never meant to be for the theatres. Today it’s not about which medium the film releases on. Everybody knows that Shershaah was a hit, or everybody was talking about Freddy. A good film will find its audience, whether it’s through OTT or theatres. Sometimes, good movies like Runway 34 get way more appreciation on OTT. Of course, the box-office numbers matter when a film is released in the theatres, but I think we understand that we are going through a re-correction phase currently, and the box office alone does not define whether the film is good, or whether you are good.

Fortunately or unfortunately, it does to some extent. There has been a backlog of films for two years. Films are being released every week; sometimes, there are two releases. How do you expect the audience to come and watch every film? It’s an expensive affair. In the South, there is a cap that the government has on the pricing of the tickets, which you do not have here. So, they pick that one film a month but that doesn’t mean that your movie is bad. It just means that people possibly don’t have money right now. This can be one of the factors. While numbers give you a positioning, the industry realises that it’s a sensitive time today. So, your work is possibly not just looked through the prism of your box-office numbers.

The thing is that I have always been vocal and whenever that conversation happens, I will be open. Given the films I am shooting and the ones Jackky is producing, where do you think we have the time? Whenever it happens, I will be the first one to announce it. As of now, we are extremely busy with our work.

Her upcoming film, Doctor G, produced by Junglee Pictures, gave Rakul Preet Singh an opportunity to step into the shoes of a doc. The film revolves around Dr Uday Gupta’s (played by Ayushmann Khurrana) discomfort at practicing at the stree-rog vibhaag (gynaecology department) of a hospital and the funny incidents that unfold owing to his chauvinistic beliefs. In a conversation with us, Rakul talks about what prompted her to grab this film that releases on October 14, taking risks as an actor and believing in content-driven cinema. Read on...

When I got a call from Anubhuti (Kashyap, director), I had no idea what to expect from the narration. Midway through the narration of this campus comedy, I knew that this is one of those projects that I need to grab. I got to know about the whole world (the film was set against) through the narration and I instantly loved it. We have all seen campus dramas, but rarely have we seen any medical campus drama.

It is such a fresh approach. Though people might think differently, the fact is that some of the best gynaecologists in the world are male doctors. I thought it was such a new subject and the beauty of the script is that every character has its own charm — be it my character (Dr Fatima), Ayushmann’s character (Dr Uday Gupta), or Shefali Shah’s or Sheeba Chadha’s. They all bring in a lot to the script.

Have you ever consulted a male gynaecologist? When I was a teenager, I had to see a gynaecologist and it turned out to be a male doctor. At that age, I did feel a bit shy and wondered how I would speak to him (about my problems). Luckily, I had my mom with me, and I felt okay. Then as you grow up, you mature, and today, I don’t think that way (about approaching a male gynaecologist). As I went through the process of making this film, I realised that there was a point in my life where even I thought that way, so there might be so many people who would feel the same way too. I feel a doctor is a doctor, and the credibility of a doctor doesn’t depend on their gender. The sex of the doctor doesn’t define how good the doctor is (at their practice). In case of an emergency, we want the best doctor to treat us irrespective of their gender and whatever the ailment might be — be it related to the brain, heart or whatever else. Does it then have to be different in the case of (treating) the uterus?

I don’t think it is about a particular industry, the fact is that it is a male-dominated world! I am just happy that over the years we are seeing the change, thanks to the kind of conversations that are happening. Having said that, when I started out that thought didn’t even cross my mind. I was just happy about stepping into a new world, which is the world of my dreams! Today, we see so many women on sets — in the capacity of directors, assistant directors and in other departments, too. It is not about male or female, my only belief is that it is about your credibility, which should not be limited by your gender. We still have a long way to go, because we are a society where these conversations are limited to the cities. But nevertheless, it is the beginning and it is a good one.

We make films to entertain people. The main agenda of a film is never to start an aandolan. But yes, through a film, which is a beautiful medium, if we can influence people’s thoughts in a subconscious way, then that’s great. As far as the latter part of your question goes, it’s always a package you look at… if there is a script that is different from usual and then you know that the production house has been successful in delivering such different concepts, it definitely gives you more confidence to believe in the script and the team. Junglee Pictures did an amazing job with, first, trusting the film and then, letting everybody create this on their own — whether as actors, directors, writers or other talents associated with the film.

Well, there’s a little bit of both. I want to be known as a versatile actor and I want to challenge myself. My endeavour is to be different in each film and not repeat myself. I don’t want to be slotted into a category. I know that I can do a De De Pyaar De and a Runway 34 at the same time; I can do a Chhatriwali and even a Doctor G. I want to showcase my talent and also keep pushing the envelope to be able to do different, diverse roles. Having said that, I want to do masala films and romantic films, too, in fact, I am dying to do a love story.

After a two year lull due to the pandemic, life is more than looking up for Rakul Preet Singh — be it with a string of films set to release in theatre this year or matters of the heart. In a conversation with Bombay Times, the actress opens up about the many exciting experiences she’s been through recently, like reuniting with Ajay Devgn after De De Pyaar De (2019) for Runway 34, which is also being directed and produced by the actor and headlining interesting projects featuring her in diverse characters. Excerpts…

It’s a great relief to be back in the theatre… I’ve been missing it a lot. There have been times when the wait seemed too long, but now I am very excited because of the films that have been lined up for release this year. My role in each of these films is distinct, and they are all theatrical experiences.

Well, if you ask me what excites me to go to the set, then this is precisely the reason — doing something different as an actor every day! If I am stepping into the shoes of a character I’ve never played before, then the amount of work it requires from me gives me an adrenaline rush. Besides, I am an actor, my job is not to just play myself in every film. Having said that, I would like to add that I want to do commercial films as well — the naach-gaana type. A movie like De De Pyaar De (DDPD) had immense scope to perform. I believe I can attain that kind of diversity; I hope the makers see that, too. I have been lucky with scripts that have come to me so far — right from DDPD, Sardar Ka Grandson to Attack and Runway 34. Fortunately, the films releasing this year will give a glimpse into the diversity that I have explored. I hope they will change the kind of scripts that come my way, and I am hungry for that.

I would be lying if I say that I don’t. Like it or not, the box-office numbers define the success of a film. Personally, success, for me, is standing by a good project. However, your position in the market changes with the box-office numbers a film rakes in, even if your role is inconsequential. Sometimes, an actor may have delivered a great performance in a smaller film, but people don’t know about it because that project is not a box-office success. The influx of digital has changed that — the films and performances get appreciated, irrespective of the scale or lack of box-office numbers. There has to be a balance between the two, so don’t decide the fate of everyone associated with a film on the basis of the box-office numbers. It shouldn’t take away from the efforts put in by the director and the actors. We have been through challenging times in the past two years, and the need of the hour is to come together to support every film.

It’s been an amazing experience. I have always heard that Ajay sir is one of the most technically-aware actors. Being directed by him was a novel experience. Runway 34 is not an easy film. He is producing, directing and acting in it… I don’t know how he dons multiple hats at a time. It’s difficult to shoot on a plane and capture that kind of turbulence and emotions. He had seven cameras in the cockpit to avoid missing out on any expression and used a real simulator cockpit. It was a completely new experience for me to see someone directing a difficult film and acting in it. The space I worked in with Ajay sir earlier was a slice of-life film, but Runway 34 is a serious and hard-hitting one, so the temperament was very different on the set.

Why do I have to choose? (laughs!). On a serious note, Ajay sir knows exactly what he wants. He is extremely aware, focused and there is so much to learn from him. He has been in the industry for so many years, so it’s amazing to learn the craft from his understanding of it.

It’s great. I began my journey there and owe my learning and growth to Southern cinema. I also get my punctuality from there (smiles!). The amount of love I got from the industry and people is irreplaceable and to see that cinema flourish makes my heart happy. When I was shooting with Bunny (Allu Arjun) for Sarrainodu (2016), he said that he wanted to put Telugu cinema on the world map. So, when Pushpa released, I called him and reminded him of that. It’s heartening to see them do so well. Ultimately, that’s how it should be. The language should not be a deterrent or the deciding factor. Imagine the kind of varied content these industries can produce as one unit. Only we can do it because we are such a diverse country.

And that happened (laughs!). I think I send my message out to the universe. Love is important in everyone’s life. Having a partner is as normal as having friends and family. It’s a happy space to be in. Why does any relationship have to be baggage? No relationship, whether it is your partner, friends or parents, should give you stress in life. If it’s stressful, then it’s not needed.

Rakul Preet, who has been shooting in Lucknow for the past month-and-a-half, says the winter there has brought back her childhood memories of Dilli ki sardi. “Sometimes it makes me wonder how could I manage to do anything as a kid during winters while in Delhi. But, it has been amazing and it reminded me of my school days, when I used to get up early and get dressed for school in the cold foggy mornings.”

She adds that she has enjoyed her time spent shooting in Lucknow. “A lot of actors have shot here in this beautiful city, but this is my first time in Lucknow and I have loved every minute of it. So far, I’ve shopped for chikan suits, gone sightseeing and of course had the most amazing food here,” she says.

The actress, who made her relationship with Jackky Bhagnani official on Instagram earlier this year, says they aren’t in a hurry to tie the knot. “I will talk about my relationship when the time is right. Right now, my focus is on my work,” she tells us.

“The last two-three years have seen a complete shift in not just roles for women but also in the kind of films being made in general and the kind of subjects that are being spoken about,” says Rakul, adding, “More and more women scriptwriters and directors are stepping in, and so, more women-centric films are coming out. I think it’s an overall change in the stories that we’re trying to tell, irrespective of the cast that is there in it, and whether it’s a hero-led, or a heroine-led film. I think each actor, even if it’s not a woman-centric film, is getting equal opportunity in the way stories are being told in our cinemas today.”

She believes the OTT space has helped in this regard too. “I feel that with the whole boom of OTT and the kind of global content that we are getting exposed to, now the onus falls on the writers and directors of our country to keep pushing their boundaries and create content that is at par with international content that’s available. It all goes hand in hand, which is why we are progressing and making some great films today.”

Though she has some exciting Bollywood projects lined up, Rakul says that she has considered venturing into the OTT space as well, but only when the right project comes along. “I will step into it only when I feel there’s something path-breaking and there is something that really challenges me as an actor. I am absolutely open to it,” she signs off.

It is after almost two years that Rakul Preet Singh has travelled out of India for work, and the actor has adapted to the new norms of outdoor schedules. She says working in a bio-bubble on foreign locations is not just a convenient option, but also safer.

“I am in the United Kingdom for a shoot, and I was super excited to finally step out of the country... What better than travelling for work and that, too, to one of my favourite places,” says Singh, who is currently shooting for a film co-starring Akshay Kumar. Singh ends up in London on her off day. “I visit my favourite restaurants and go shopping,” she chuckles.

For Singh, going out of the country, especially to a place where there is no mandate to wear a mask, was not a point of worry. “We shoot in a bio-bubble. It is easier and keeps the whole team together. So, it is safer, strategic to shoot a project from start to finish, and then come back,” shares the 30-year-old, emphasizing on the need to not let our guard down.

“Even though the UK has removed the compulsion to wear masks, there are regular testing, and quarantine periods that we have to go through. We also adhere to the regular safety guidelines that we follow in India,” the Sardar Ka Grandson actor tells us.

However, she confesses that the anxiousness to complete the shoot smoothly, without anyone falling sick, is always there. “We all understand the importance of keeping a check on our health while working. Because it is not just my health [that gets affected] if I fall sick. It is about losing those 14-15 days and the entire production going for a toss,” says Singh, who has been working through the pandemic, shooting for projects such as Attack and Mayday.

While several of her projects have been released on OTT lately, she is excited about the revival of theatres. “I am grateful that I get to work at a time when many are finding it hard to get back to their jobs. I feel blessed that shoots have resumed after the second wave. I’m also excited about theatres opening so that everything we are working on can be enjoyed on the big screen,” she ends on a positive note.

Rakul Preet Singh got into serious prep mode before she donned the doctor’s coat for her role in Junglee Pictures’ Doctor G. The actress plays doctor Fatima in the film that has her sharing screen space with Ayushmann Khurrana and Shefali Shah. Rakul had to learn medical terminology and nuances of what goes on in a hospital and surgical room for this campus comedy-drama directed by Anubhuti Kashyap. From the writing stage itself, director Anubhuti was keen on the authentic portrayal of the medical profession in the movie. The idea was to ensure that the actors are comfortable in the surroundings that they are likely to face as medical professionals. The film’s team got experts to conduct special sessions with the cast — Rakul, Ayushmann and Shefali — as part of their prep to make the medical world in the film appear authentic.

Rakul feels that interacting with experts gave her a deeper understanding of the profession and its demands. She says, “Shooting for Doctor G has turned out to be an interesting experience. Since I play a doctor, the mannerisms and actions needed to be precise. It was mandatory to learn important things related to the medical world to make it look real on screen. The journey of becoming Fatima was an amazing process, which I will cherish forever.”

She further added, “We did multiple tests to get the look right. The idea was to ensure that Fatima looks as close to real as possible, so that we could bring out the endearing quality of this character. By just wearing the doctor’s coat, you suddenly feel a sense of responsibility, even though you are just playing a character. While treating patients for the scenes in the film, one truly understands how much responsibility doctors have on their shoulders and how difficult their life is.”

The movie, which has Rakul opposite Ayushmann for the first time, has been co-written by Anubhuti, Sumit Saxena, Vishal Wagh and Saurabh Bharat. The makers recently wrapped up an extensive schedule in Prayagraj, and the film will be completed by the end of this month.

Juggling four films can be hectic. But Rakul Preet Singh is far from daunted and has added another project to her plate — director Ranjit M Tewari’s next, Mission Cinderella. The Akshay Kumar-starrer is a remake of Tamil psychological thriller Ratsasan (2018). “Many films got postponed due to the pandemic. In the prevailing situation, I am thankful to have work. Overwork is not a problem for me,” she says.

While Kumar has kicked off the shoot of the thriller in England, Singh will join later as she is filming Doctor G with Ayushmann Khurrana in Prayagraj. She quips about bonding with her co-star over “lame Punjabi jokes”. “Ayushmann understands the pulse of his co-actor, [which enables us] to constantly improvise. He is from Chandigarh, and part of my family hails from the city, so there is a connection,” says Singh, who plays a gynecologist in the comedy.

Up next, she has John Abraham’s Attack, Ajay Devgn’s Mayday and Indra Kumar’s Thank God. Having worked with Devgn in De De Pyaar De (2019), she was glad that the superstar chose her for his directorial venture. “While shooting for Mayday, I got to see another side of Ajay sir — as a director. It is not easy to act in and helm a film. But he is sharp and technically sound.”

Grateful for the enviable line-up, the actor says she has tried to go a notch higher with every project.

Rakul Preet Singh had just wrapped up the final schedule of her upcoming project when Section 144 was imposed in Maharashtra. With seven films in the pipeline, the actor says, “My films are all piling up. I’m not worried because I know that no one can defy fate. However, I wish that those which were supposed to be released last year did so and people had the chance to see more of me. The entire process got delayed, else I could have signed more films.”

Singh regrets people not adopting Covid-appropriate behaviour despite going through a lockdown last year. “I wish we were more responsible as individuals. We’ve seen people losing their jobs and the economy shattering. We, as a collective, are failing to understand the gravity of the situation. Just because the economy had opened up, it didn’t mean that Covid had disappeared. And now, we’re back to square one! The saddest part is we’re not learning our lesson,” she explains. 

The De De Pyaar De (2019) actor hopes that the current Coronavirus lockdown doesn’t go on for too long. Expressing her concern, Singh says, “I’m supposed to start shooting for Doctor G from May 1. But actors can sit at home if the situation so demands. It is the small businesses such as restaurants that I feel bad for. My heart also goes out to daily wage earners who depend on each shoot schedule and shift. What’s going to happen to them?”

Drawing attention to the need to be careful and cases of reinfection among those who tested positive in the past, she remarks, “I, personally, know about five people who got Covid for the second time. And the infection is more severe the second time. Our body has a certain threshold and we can’t keep pushing it.”

Be it growing organic veggies at her home, practising yoga, cycling to work or even playing golf, Rakul Preet Singh is committed to staying fit, even when her schedule gets hectic. The actress says, “I don’t treat fitness as a fad, and it’s not something I follow just because I am an actor. A healthy lifestyle is important for each one of us, irrespective of our profession. For me, it is as important as eating and breathing. A healthy lifestyle leads to a healthy mind, which is more productive. So, fitness makes me happy.”

Rakul says that her tryst with fitness began as a child. “I come from an Army background, and fitness has always been an integral part of my life. In high school, I took to golf and was a national-level player. When I started modelling, I began gymming. Also, my parents work out daily, even today, and they have always inspired my brother and me,” she shares.

Talking about fitness, Rakul points out that people often mistake health and fitness for six-pack abs and toned bodies. She explains, “It’s sad that people don’t understand the importance of fitness and limit it to certain professions. They assume that it’s only for people who want to be thin. Unfortunately, being lean and having six-pack abs define fitness today. But, that doesn’t mean that one is healthy. What’s important to me is my energy levels and how much strength I have. Strong is the new sexy. Everyone should be able to lift their own body weight, and every girl should be able to do at least a normal push-up. Good endurance is important, too.”

The actress doesn’t stick to one form of exercise. “Lifting weights, doing high-intensity workouts, cycling, enjoying adventure sports... I do it all. I also practise yoga, which helps me achieve mindbody-soul balance,” she says.

The pandemic has made people more health-conscious. “People at large have woken up to the importance of health and immunity,” she says, adding that her own battle against Coronavirus was rather easy. “That episode has reinstated my belief in a healthy lifestyle. I didn’t have severe symptoms. On the fifth day, I started practising yoga, and on the 11th day, I tested negative and resumed work soon. It took me a little longer to get my strength back in the gym. However, I could get back to work right after and didn’t have extreme fatigue,” she shares.

Ask her if she prefers the indoors or outdoors to exercise, and Rakul replies, “I love outdoor activities, be it trekking or cycling. I am an outdoor person; you can’t lock me in a room and say, ‘Let’s play some board games’. Outdoor activities energise me and also help me connect with a lot of things, spiritually.”

Rakul Preet Singh, who tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, took to social media on December 22 to announce that she was Coronavirus-free. Talking exclusively to BT, the De De Pyaar De actress says, “When I got my first symptom, which was just feeling a lot of fatigue, I dismissed it, assuming that it was because I had pushed myself too much. It just didn’t occur to me that it could be COVID. Besides, the unit undergoes a test every three-four days, so the thought that I could be infected didn’t cross my mind. However, I realised that something was wrong and underwent a rapid test. When it came positive, I informed everyone and quarantined myself.”

Fortunately, though, the virus didn’t wreak havoc in Rakul’s life, and the actress attributes that to her positive mindset and healthy routine. She shares, “The indication that you give your mind that you are healthy and fine plays a key role. I kept telling myself that it’s no big deal and that I will be up and about in no time. I believe that a positive mind attracts positive energy. I didn’t have to take too many medicines. I made sure that I was eating good, healthy, and nutritious food. I attribute my speedy recovery to my healthy lifestyle and positive outlook.”

During her recovery stage, the actress says that the loss of senses like smell and taste made her acutely aware of human privileges. She adds, “This pandemic has been a leveller of sorts. No matter what your profession is, how much money you make or famous you are, everyone was confined to their homes. The way this virus takes away your sense of smell and taste, it gives you a reality check of what you are without these human touches, which we believe we are entitled to and is our privilege. From a spiritual standpoint, it has given us a better understanding of normalcy, and made us grateful for something as basic as human touch, or being able to taste our food.”

Now that the actress has recovered she plans to ring in the New Year just with friends and family in Hyderabad, before she resumes shooting for the Ajay Devgn-directorial Mayday on January 2. “The good part is that I am done with COVID this year. I had my fingers and toes crossed that I test negative before the 31st (laughs!). I will be resuming shoot on January 2. I am not travelling as I don’t want to tire myself because I won’t get a break once I start shooting as I have already lost 10 days. My mother came down to Hyderabad to be with me after I tested positive. My dad is here, too. So, I will be ringing in the New Year with family and friends,” she signs off.

It has been a turbulent year for all of us, with the Coronavirus pandemic hitting us hard. But I think it’s all about the perspective with which you look at things. I count my blessings and I was extremely grateful every day... I was with my family, and everyone was healthy. You can always find faults with what’s not going your way, but there’s always a brighter side to it. For me, the lockdown was just a long break that I would have probably never taken otherwise and I enjoyed that recouping period. It put a lot of things in perspective and made me more grateful about life.

During the lockdown, I felt I wanted to be around my parents. So, post the initial lockdown, I went to Delhi and spent about a month with my parents. That’s when I realised we had not had a family vacation in 10 years. From the time I moved out of my home to Mumbai, all four of us — my parents, my brother and I — have never been together. We may have spent two or three days, but we never went on a vacation. As a kid, we used to travel a lot. Every year, we would talk about taking a vacation, but something or the other would come up and it wouldn’t happen.

This year, I resumed shoot in August, and I knew I had a five-day break after a few schedules, post which I would be busy till mid-2021. So, we decided to go to the Maldives. My dad was reluctant because I was shooting and he thought it could be risky. I felt that if not now, we’d never get to do this. It has been a rough year for everyone and even they needed a change. It was a much-needed family vacation.

Maldives offers bubble tourism. So, you get yourself tested before you get your visa, and that has to be 72 hours before you land there. After the trip, you again get tested and then get back into the country. So, it’s completely safe. On the island, since everyone is tested, you don’t have to wear a mask. It was such a relief to not worry about carrying a mask; it was like getting back to normal life... eating at restaurants and just chilling. That’s why everyone is choosing Maldives, because it’s mask-free and everyone is tested.

I had several firsts there, like scuba diving. It has been on my mind for a long time. In fact, I had planned a trip to the islands last year, but it didn’t happen because of my work schedule. Finally, when I did get a chance to do it this time, I grabbed the opportunity, and it was the most exhilarating experience. Even my dad and brother tried it with me.

Flyboarding was also a first for me. It looks easy, but it took me easily between 45 minutes and an hour to balance myself on it. Flyboarding is all about getting the core balance and a little movement. I want to try my hand at it another time and do a better job at it.

For me, this was a beautiful vacation. I’m a complete beach bum. In fact, we, as a family, are water babies. So, there was a lot of soaking up in the sun, scuba diving, snorkeling, flyboarding and eating a lot of great food, but the highlight was the amazing time we spent together, doing what we love.

I was 18 and had just started modelling when I got a call for a Kannada film, Gilli. Since I had schooled in Delhi, I didn’t even know the South film industry existed and wasn’t sure if I wanted to act. I said “no” initially but then, one day, dad prophesised that I’d be a star so I accepted the offer for some pocket money and to buy a car for myself.

I was doing Honours in mathematics at the Jesus And Mary College, Delhi University, and landed in Bengaluru a day before the film was to roll because I didn’t want to get into trouble over my attendance. There was no time for any training or prep. The first shot was of me walking besides the hero who’s on a bike, telling him not to follow me around. I was unprepared and bad but it was fun facing the camera. I crammed my lines and parroted them. Everyone was impressed because I was speaking Kannada so well. They had no idea I was a master at cramming since I was in school.

People liked it and since I enjoyed it too, I decided to become an actress but this time I wanted to do it properly. Since I’d skipped a lot of classes, I decided to get my degree first, and continued modelling on the side.

In 2011, I moved to Mumbai after taking part in the Miss India contest. The same year, in December, I auditioned for Yaariyan, and in April 2012 I got the call. The film started in October. We were all newcomers but it was with a big production house. We kicked off with the song “A for Aao Re Aao”. It was a fun shoot as we had all got to know each other having gone through a two-month workshop. Yes, there were some first day jitters as I was only 20 and this was my first Hindi film. But soon the pressure eased and it was like a party.

I’d told my parents I’d give myself two years to crack it, else return to Delhi and pursue higher studies. Two days after I finished Yaariyan, I started shooting for my Telugu film. It was supposed to release after Yaariyan, but eventually opened three months before it. By the time Yaariyan released, I had signed many Telugu films and was working down South, not realising you had to be in Mumbai to get work here. I got a lot of love and good work there. I was sure I would never be a failure and in a few years Bollywood beckoned.