Kiara Alia Advani is one lucky girl! She has already managed to tick two names from her bucket list of directors - Neeraj Pandey and Abbas-Mustan - in a span of just three films. Unfazed by much-bandied words like nepotism and camps in Bollywood, Kiara is grateful to have made it on her own. In a chat with Bombay Times, the actress talks about playing heroine to debutant Mustafa (Abbas Burmawalla's son) in Machine, her friendship with Sakshi Dhoni and mentor Salman Khan...

Since Machine is Mustafa's launch vehicle in Bollywood, were you apprehensive about getting eclipsed by him?
You are in for a powerful role when you are an Abbas-Mustan heroine. They present you beautifully and the actress does not just sing and dance, but also has a performance-oriented role. So, I was confident about this project. Abbas-Mustan featured on my bucket list of directors. They are the most humble people I have met. In fact, I was more pampered than Mustafa on the set. Interestingly, he would address them as 'Sir' despite being family. If he is a grounded person, it's because of his upbringing.

Mustafa comes across as shy...
He was reserved in the beginning, but we broke the ice over food during an outdoor schedule in Georgia. We love the same kind of food. We would have lunch and dinner together, which helped us bond. There were things he did which were really cute - like waiting for me after pack-up, as he knew I would be hungry, too. While doing the most intense scenes, I would ask him his lunch plans. We would be mostly talking about food and have long conversations during our meals.

So, does that make him good boyfriend material?
You are putting these words in my mouth! I think he is a great friend. Besides, I'd rather be known for my work than my relationship status. I enjoy what I do. I consider myself lucky to have the space to do what I love. It has been a dream to be an actor and here I am! My first film taught me the need to have patience. Of course, there are times when it's tough. I have managed to come so far on my own. I don't go to parties. I am socially awkward. At the end of the day, recommendations are fine up to a point. Beyond that, it's just your talent.

Is the first break difficult to come by, especially when you're on your own?
There are so many people who have made it without any backing. I don't know about camps. I'm comfortable meeting people at their offices in a professional capacity. There could be nepotism to some extent. Even I would like to see my favourite star's son or daughter on screen. But they will stay only if the audience accepts them.

After delivering a commendable performance in M S Dhoni - The Untold Story, do you feel more pressure while being paired opposite a newcomer in Machine?
A film is not about just one or two actors; there are over 200 people working on one project. Everyone celebrates if it does well, and if it does badly, everyone is affected. It's easy to diss a film, but no one knows how much hard work, time, sweat and blood goes into making it. So, there's equal pressure on all of us. I hope to meet the audience's expectations and will try to push the envelope. For now, I am happy that I lived up to Abbas-Mustan's expectations.

But do you think you have made the right choice?
Absolutely! I have been instinctive when it comes to picking films or characters. I never look at it as a right career move. I can't be calculative. Machine is the most satisfying choice I have made.

The film is about racing enthusiasts.Are you one in real life?
Maybe back in the day when Michael Schumacher was a rage. I drive because that makes me feel independent. I learnt it when I turned 18. But driving a Formula One car in the film was my first brush with racing. We had a foreign crew, comprising action masters who trained us. It's quite a task to drive a Formula One car; you get in the car and then attach the wheel, which is hot and heavy. The noise is deafening. We were not allowed too many laps.

How much has life changed after Dhoni's biopic?
Even today, people call me Sakshi. Being known as the character off screen is the best thing for an actor. That means she has made that kind of an impact. I remember how everyone was looking forward to the film as it revolved around one of our most celebrated cricketers, and I was playing his wife. I knew the film would do well, but I had never imagined I would get so much love and appreciation. I also got to know M S Dhoni and Sakshi

Are you in touch with Sakshi?
We text each other once in a while. We last met at the Coldplay concert. While prepping for my character, Sakshi told me to talk to her like a friend and not just observe her. Today, I can call her my friend.

Salman Khan rechristened you Kiara from Alia. When will we see you working with him?
I always take Salman Sir's advice. It's great to know someone with so much experience, especially when you are new and finding your feet. He answers my calls instantly. He is honest, has always told me to work hard and let my work do the talking. I hope he decides to work with me some day, because I haven't had the guts to tell him that I want to work with him.

Kiara Advani who plays Sakshi Dhoni in Neeraj Pandey's biopic on cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni, M S Dhoni - The Untold Story, featuring Sushant Singh Rajput in the titular role, reveals that she fit the bill perfectly as she's not a cricket buff. “I do catch a match here and there because my dad and brother are big fans. Sakshi too wasn't into cricket before marrying MS. When sir (Neeraj) narrated the part to me, I was told he wanted a girl who only had a superficial knowledge of the game,“ says the 24-year-old actress.

Kiara recalls meeting the Dhonis at a party and she was instantly floored with their simplicity. “They are such a normal couple and so approachable. Sakshi is a new-age girl who is clued into the latest trends. I couldn't stop cooing over their daughter, Ziva. She's such a happy baby. Sakshi also shared some interesting nuggets about her life which are a part of our movie now,“ the actress reminisces.

What else went into her prep for the real-life character? “Sakshi is popular on social media and even has fan clubs dedicated to her. Her signature style - kohl-lined eyes - has been retained in the film, along with her casual sartorial sense. She loves her boots, denims and minimal makeup.“

There was talk of a supposed rift between Kiara and co-star, Disha Patani who plays Dhoni's girlfriend in the film over screen time. “I don't pay attention to such rumours,“ she says dismissively.

The actress who made her acting debut with Fugly in 2014, is currently shooting for Abbas-Mastan's Machine.

Sushant Singh Rajput, who was spotted across the country with long, Dhoni-style locks for over six months, was seen back in his short hair, from his Kai Po Che! days, this week. The 29-year-old actor was filming with Kiara Advani in Aurangabad for Neeraj Pandey's M S Dhoni - The Untold Story, an upcoming biopic based on the life of Indian cricketer, Dhoni. The two were snapped shooting for a romantic sequence based on moments from Dhoni and Sakshi's life, before they tied the knot in 2010.

“The actors filmed a romantic song where Sakshi will be seen touring the city with Dhoni, showing him the best tourist spots,“ says a source from the sets. “Apart from the outdoor sequences at Aurangabad Caves and Bibi Ka Maqbara, Kiara, as Sakshi, also filmed a lovey-dovey, late night conversation sequence,“ the source told Mirror.

The shot marks the time when Sakshi was studying hotel management at the Institute of Hotel Management in the city and would spend her nights chatting with Dhoni. The unit filmed in the real location of the girls hostel, where Sakshi had lived. “Shooting began on October 3 and wrapped up on Tuesday evening. Besides the girls hostel, Kiara also shot in the classroom and cafeteria of the institute,“ the source revealed.

Sushant, who began filming in Delhi, had been shooting in Ranchi and Jalandhar as well. “Kiara undertook a few workshops before she began shooting her first schedule and is expected to meet Sakshi soon to understand her character even better,“ the source informed.

Just before he had left for his solo schedule, earlier, Sushant told Mirror (September 30), that he had done all the possible preparation to step into the shoes of the ODI and T20 cricket captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. “Complete immersion is important, more so when you're playing a real-life character. Viewers must feel that you are him and not merely pretending to be him,“ Sushant had reasoned, admitting that at times he does feel like he's talking differently, like Dhoni.