It’s back to juggling work within a tight schedule for Tara Sutaria, who’s currently shooting for two films — Ek Villain Returns and Heropanti 2 — simultaneously. The Student Of The Year 2 (SOTY 2) actress, however, is not complaining. “It is exhausting, but rewarding!” she says, adding, “It’s been a while since we shot for a film as there were restrictions due to the pandemic this year, too. I am just happy that my mind is occupied with the one thing I enjoy doing the most — and that’s acting.”

The actioner Heropanti 2 sees Tara reuniting with Tiger Shroff, her first hero when she debuted with SOTY 2. “With every film, the set and your co-stars become your world for a certain period of time. People tend to move on once the project wraps up, but that hasn’t been the case with Tiger and I treasure that about him. We managed to stay in touch over the years. I must say that among all my costars, I am the closest to Tiger,” she says. She elaborates, “I did my first film with him and he is also the first friend I made in the industry. We are similar in many ways.”

What’s common between the two is that they are both shy and reserved. So, how did the two strike a bond and open up with each other? Tara is quick to add, “Personally, I have grown and come out of my shell. I am quite chatty now in comparison to how I used to be. An industry like showbiz brings out that side of you, which you didn’t know existed in you. As for Tiger, we’ve spent a lot of time with each other and that’s how the friendship grew stronger. We are now very chatty and enjoy long conversations. In fact, we have a ball of a time on the sets of Heropanti 2 and are always cracking each other up. Well, the jokes are often lame, if a third person comes to know what we are laughing about they might think we are really silly (laughs!).”

Tara is also discovering a new equation now with her co-star Arjun Kapoor with the film Ek Villain Returns. “We might come across as an unusual pair, but we have an amazing time on the set. Arjun is a very sweet guy,” says Tara. The film also stars John Abraham, who she’s yet to shoot with. Interestingly, in an earlier interaction with BT, Tara had opened up about John being her family friend. She had said, “I remember visiting John ever since I was a kid. He’s often surprised with the filmy conversations we have when we meet now, as we never imagined back then that we’d be working in the same industry.”

How comfortable does she feel to share screen space with the senior actor? “This whole situation is so unexpected,” she says, adding, “It is exciting to be able to work with him as I have seen his films and like his work. I am excited to see what the vibes are going to be like on the set. The coolest part about him is that he doesn’t give the I-am-the-senior kind of a vibe. He is too chilled out.”

While work keeps her busy, Tara misses the family-time she had in the last few months. “There cannot be a bigger blessing than having a roof above your head, food on your table and a family to spend time with in these terrible times,” she says, concluding, “I am sure through these tough days we all have felt lonely at some point, which is why it is always important to have the right people by your side. This period has shown us how important it is to have a wonderful personal life along with a professional life, and that one should not take our near-and-dear ones for granted.”

Before Student Of The Year 2, I had got a couple of film offers but had not taken them up as my parents wanted me to finish my graduation before getting into any profession. I remember meeting Karan (Johar) for the first time at the old office in Bandra around six months before I graduated. He was so sweet and asked me what I wanted to do in the future. I told him that I had been singing all my life but had never acted. I was doing a musical on stage at the time and he asked me to sing for him. I did and then, before I knew it, he was offering me a film. I still remember his exact words, “We have a couple of films in prep, but there is one in particular that will be ready in the next four-five months.” The timing was perfect for me, as by then, I would have graduated.

On finishing my studies, we met again. I tested for Student Of The Year 2 and everything just fell in place. Since it was a light fun film, we didn’t really have any acting workshops. We would just meet with Punit Malhotra (director) for readings, with Tiger (co-star Tiger Shroff) joining in too. The pre-shoot time was spent in deciding the costumes, and Manish (stylist Manish Malhotra) would often come with costumes which built up the excitement.

Ananya (co-star Ananya Panday) and I also had dance workshops for two months to rehearse all the songs. Tiger joined us later. On, the first day of shoot we filmed Tiger and my love song, “Jatt Ludhiyane Da”. It was a five-day shoot at the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun. I remember how thrilled I was when we reached there because though I have been dancing all my life, it felt surreal that I would start my first film with a dance number.

My first shot was really filmy, with my hair flying as my head turned. It was a one-take shot. I was not anxious because everyone from Karan’s team had come to support us. We had the traditional pooja before the shoot started. It’s always nice to start a film with a song as it lightens the mood. Recently, Manish sent me a video of my first shot that he had recorded from the monitor on the set. It was such a high!

The first day was smooth, but on the second day, I twisted my ankle while dancing. I didn’t really know Tiger too well then, but he put my foot up and massaged it. It was really sweet of him, not too many people would do this for a girl who was just an acquaintance. Over the course of the film, everyone became friendlier and soon we were one big happy family. 

Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; May 18, 2020)

Tara Sutaria made her Bollywood debut with Student Of The Year 2 (2019) and quickly followed it up with the romantic action drama, Marjaavaan (2019). While the actress has displayed her dancing skills on screen, she has also expressed a desire to lend her voice to songs. During the Coronavirus lockdown, Tara has been listening to music on the good old record player, which she prefers over MP3 players or music apps. “I enjoy listening to music on my record player while sipping on a cup of tea. I am currently obsessed with American singer Barbra Streisand’s collection,” she says.

Talking about spending her lockdown days with her family, she shares, “I am a bit of a stay-at-home kind of a person and fairly reserved and introvert. I like spending time with my family. Work has kept me busy, but now that I am at home, I am appreciating every bit of the time that I am getting to spend with them.”

Tara admits that she is a foodie and is also using this time to pick up some cooking skills. “Food is of utmost importance in my house,” she reveals, adding, “My twin sister (Pia) and I are absolute foodies. These days, I am learning to cook Parsi dishes. My mom and my nani are fantastic cooks, so I am trying to learn some quintessential Parsi dishes like Salli Boti from them. I am also cooking Punjabi food. I recently made Jungli Mutton and Chole.”

The actress, who will next be seen in Tadap opposite Suniel Shetty’s son Ahan Shetty, hopes that work resumes soon. “For me, to not work is tough and seems out of the ordinary. I am eager to get back to work now. Though I am not a social animal, I am looking forward to the day when I can spend some time outdoors with my sister or enjoy a meal with my friends.”

Recently trolled for her choice of outfit, Marjaavaan actor Tara Sutaria on learning to deal with the pitfalls of stardom
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 16, 2019)

The past few months have gone by in a flash for Tara Sutaria -- a dream launch in a Karan Johar production has been swiftly followed by her second release, Marjaavaan. She may have been part of showbiz for close to a decade, but Bollywood, she says, is a different ball game.

"This is all new for me. Sometimes, I feel lost when I am asked about competition or insecurities. But then, this year has also been about finding myself and focusing on the quality of work," she smiles, adding, "Acting is made out to be all about gloss. But it's a job at the end of the day. I am often asked about being an outsider, but how does that matter? Look at how the West functions, all that matters is your work."

As much as she is enjoying navigating the world of fame and films, Sutaria is also learning to take the pitfalls in her stride. The youngster's wardrobe has often garnered unnecessary attention -- if her sequinned saree at the Diwali bash became much talked about (above), she also received flak for her recent appearance in a tube top and skirt (below). "I got a lot of nasty comments. People can be hurtful with their remarks. I have chosen to be in the public eye, so this is a part and parcel of the job. My parents read all these [comments] and have a hearty laugh about it."

Meanwhile, Sutaria has her blinders on, with her focus being solely on work. She is keeping her fingers crossed for Marjaavaan. "It is a melodramatic film that demands a certain kind of acting, but I have tried to balance it."

Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 14, 2019)

After stepping into Bollywood with Student Of The Year 2, Tara Sutaria will be seen with the original ‘student’ from the franchise, Sidharth Malhotra, in the upcoming film Marjaavaan. While she plays the role of a speech-impaired girl in the film, offscreen, Tara loves singing and wants to pursue a career in music. In a candid chat with BT, she spoke about her Bollywood journey, singing aspirations and rumours of a link-up with Aadar Jain. Excerpts:

Sidharth Malhotra and you hail from the same on-screen school — Saint Teresa College (from Student Of The Year) — and have the same mentor, Karan Johar. Did that make it easy to bond?
Honestly, Sidharth and I rarely spoke about Student Of The Year (SOTY) on set. In fact, we had a lot of other things in common. Both of us are not from the industry and would talk about our families and siblings. Sid would tell me how he has changed as a person, since the time he joined the industry. And I told him that I wasn’t sure if I will change because I am extremely shy and reserved. I used to ask him about how he deals with filmi parties as I am new to the industry and feel scared at these events. He would share his personal experiences, and we got to know each other during the making of Marjaavaan. We tried to understand each other, as the film is very intense and we had to portray that kind of chemistry. Someone also told him that I sing well, so he asked me to sing a few lines. He loves music, and we connected over that, too.

Like your debut film, you are once again sharing screen space with a female costar; this time with Rakul Preet Singh...
(Cuts in) Ananya (Panday) and I had a lot more in common. We were making our debut together and were huge fans of the franchise (SOTY); both of us also have the star signs — Scorpio. On the other hand, Rakul (Preet Singh) has done so much work. I didn't know her at all, and we had very few scenes together. In our limited interaction, we spoke mostly about food. She would give tips about replacing ingredients that will help me make healthier choices. She was doing two shifts in a day and still wasn’t exhausted on the sets. It was interesting to see how she managed it all.

While Sidharth and Riteish Deshmukh have shared screen space in Ek Villain (2014), this is the first time you are working with Riteish…
Yes, but I did not have many shots with him. My character dies when his character comes into focus. Our scenes were mostly shot in the night. I remember him crawling on his knees as he played a vertically-challenged man. He had many funny stories to share and was very witty, which would lighten up the mood during the late-night shoot.

Milap Zaveri, who has directed Marjaavaan, is known for his sex comedies. Are you a fan of the genre? Which films of his have you seen?
I haven’t seen any sex comedies. I remember that he had shown me the trailer of Mastizaade (2016). I don't think I will ever do a sex comedy; it’s just not my thing.

Considering the fact that you are a trained singer, will we see you singing soon?
I wanted to be a singer; this (acting) was not a part of my plan. Whenever I see a photo of mine or read articles about me, I still can’t believe it. I am already promoting my second film and shooting my third… all of it feels like a dream. While this year, I focused on acting, next year, I will also look for opportunities in music. I want singing to be a huge part of my career next year. I idolise Barbra Streisand and Beyoncé, and am very old school when it comes to music and like 50s music. I want to see myself as a singer very soon.

Post SOTY 2, are you still in touch with Karan Johar? Do you consult him when you make your career choices? Also, you had got along well with Tiger Shroff. Do you manage to catch up with him?
I will always be in touch with Karan. He is very special to me. He calls us (actors of SOTY 2) his babies. If I need advice, especially when it is related to the industry, he is my go-to person. Even if he is busy, he makes sure that he is there for us. As far as Tiger is concerned, I have a special place in my heart for him. He is my first co-star and the first person with whom I could share everything. We will be friends forever. We two have a lot of things in common, and have lots to talk about whenever we catch up.

There is a strong buzz about you dating Aadar Jain. Do you want to clear the air?
I met Aadar at Karan’s (Johar) Diwali party last year. Well, he is very special to me, and we do go out a lot. We enjoy the same things. We have a similar taste in music and enjoy bingeing on good food. We also get photographed together, and I am fine with it as there is nothing to hide. We are very fond of each other and like each other's company a lot.

Like your debut film, your third film, the remake of RX 100, has an industry kid — Suniel Shetty’s son Ahan — stepping into Bollywood...
Yes, I am excited about it. Ahan is great to work with. The film a remake of RX 100, but our roles are very different from those in the original. We will be announcing the title of the film and releasing the first look very soon. We will start shooting the film in Mussoorie on the day that Marjaavaan releases. I had shot SOTY 2 there as well, so I will feel like a local when I am there (laughs!).

Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 13, 2019)

Earlier this year, she bagged a dream Bollywood debut (with Student Of The Year 2; SOTY 2). The film put Tara Sutaria’s career on the fast track. As she admits: “The start has been great. The bonus of being part of Karan Johar’s production house is that they give you the best beginning and a fantastic platform to start off with. Then, it’s totally up to you how you take it forward.”

Now, Tara is readying for her second outing, Marjaavaan which, she says, is “very different from my first film”. “But the nervousness and excitement will be there with every film. It’s something that will never go away. So, there’s a lot to look forward to and a lot that people will see that they didn’t in SOTY 2.”

Unlike the “very young, fun, light and easy” film SOTY 2, Tara calls Marjaavan “a very emotional, dramatic, serious, tragic love story”. “I think I am very lucky to be able to do such a film as my second movie. It’s also exciting to play a character that can showcase so many different emotions, especially considering she is mute. She can hear, but can’t speak. I don’t think any other actor is doing such a part. So, it feels unique and rare, and it’s a great opportunity to show expressions and emotions without having any dialogue,” says the actor, adding: “Also, I have never died in a film before (laughs). That too was kind of exciting actually.”

However, the 23-year-old doesn’t feel any pressure, at least for the time being as she is “still very new to this whole game and understanding of the commercials and numbers”. She adds: “I only try and pay attention to the creative aspects of movie-making.”

Next up for Tara is Sajid Nadiadwala’s RX 100 remake. “I think it’s a very exciting time for women in every sphere including showbiz. There is no better time than now to multi-task and perform many roles. Among other things, I am definitely going to be singing in my films, and I am looking forward to it. It may happen in RX 100 remake or mostly, the film after that,” says Tara, adding that she hopes to create a niche for herself as an actor-singer.

“I feel Ayushmann (Khurrana) has done it beautifully, and I am sure others can, too. I would like to be the first person (female actor) who always sings her own songs,” says Tara, adding that she has grown up watching musicals and musical theatre. “I have performed a lot on the stage and always sung for myself,” she signs off.

Tara Sutaria fields questions on rumoured beau Aadar Jain, her sequinned sari, letting go of films that became hits & going from glam to girl-next-door
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 5, 2019)

When it comes to star-studded house parties, Tara Sutaria sure knows how to work the cameras and then some. Barely two months after reports emerged that she could be dating Aadar Jain, the Student Of The Year 2 debutante arrived at the Bachchan Diwali party with the actor, draped in a sari which has, incidentally, been spotted on Karisma and Kareena Kapoor (Aadar’s cousins) earlier. Presumably to contemporarise it further, Tara paired it with a décolletage-flaunting satin blouse. Online, the look found takers and haters in equal measure, depending on whether you’re listening to a millennial copywriter or a seasoned blogger.

“Manish (designer Manish Malhotra), very sweetly, designed that look for me. I love his sequin saris, they are famous,” the actress shares as she sinks into a comfortable chair at a suburban five-star. For this turn, she has opted for a pair of denim shorts, white sneakers and a Gopi Vaid jacket made of traditional prints, trims and embroidery.

She is relatively less forthcoming on the topic of her date, who had, not long ago, accompanied her to Malaika Arora’s birthday bash as well. “It’s important to say this, we enjoy going out and spending time together. Aadar is special to me and both of us are foodies, so we are going to be spotted at restaurants. We met for the first time last Diwali and have a lot of mutual friends.” But are they dating? “Well, we really enjoy each other’s company,” she reiterates evasively.

Previously, there had been link-up rumours with her Marjaavaan co-star, Sidharth Malhotra. Tara is quick on the uptake, saying, “Such rumours, and not just with Sid, started even before SOTY 2. They are annoying because they’re not true and there is nothing you can say to clarify. Now, I understand this comes with the job, so I take them with a pinch of salt. I got to know Sid because of Marjaavaan. Before that we had only met at parties. We realised that we were neighbours and had so much in common as we are both ex-Students and come from non-filmi families.”

Speaking of the ex-Students’ first film together, the actress will be seen in a de-glam avatar after a teenybopper turn in her debut “I connect with Zoya more than with Mia (SOTY 2), she is passionate about music and so am I,” she explains.

The film’s release date has been moved around a few times but Tara is unfazed. “I am new in the industry, so I don’t really understand numbers yet, but I am happy that it is releasing around my birthday,” she beams, going on to share that she was planning a prom-themed party for her 24th birthday on November 19. “But now I am leaving for Mussoorie on the 15th for my next film (RX 100 Hindi remake). Ahan (Shetty, co-star) is already there.”

She is excited about portraying her first grey character in the film. “Everyone wants to play safe when they are young and starting out. I never thought I would do the things I am doing in this film,” she gushes.

Tara was offered Sandeep Vanga’s Kabir Singh which could have been another South remake for her besides RX 100. Ask her if she’s glad she didn’t do the film considering the flak it received for its blatant misogyny and she says, “I don’t think I agree with that (the film’s misogynistic tone). It’s not a true story and I think everyone has the artistic right to show what they want in their film. Having said that, I also understand and respect everyone’s opinion. I couldn’t do Kabir Singh as I was shooting for SOTY 2 and had signed Marjaavaan at the time, but I loved Shahid (Kapoor) and Kiara (Advani) in it.”

Tara also had to let go of the role of Princess Jasmine in Guy Ritchie’s live-action adaptation of Aladdin featuring Will Smith as Genie.

Ask her if she wonders whether it would have been a better launch pad and the answer is a resounding ‘no’. “I have three films coming out in my first year in the industry. That wouldn’t have happened if I had done anything else. There is a lot to be grateful for with SOTY 2. People expected it to do crazy numbers, which I understand it didn’t, but it still did well. It will always be special for me as it’s my first film,” she asserts.

Tara Sutaria and her twin sister Pia, who is a professional ballet dancer, on the performing arts, their differing interests and boy talk
Ankita Chaurasia (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 29, 2019)

The first thing that you notice about fraternal twins Tara and Pia Sutaria is that they are joined at the hip. We catch them mid laugh which gives way to conspiratorial whispers and then a warm welcoming smile. They don’t look exactly alike yet there is a similarity which is hard to miss. “People often point out that our smiles are identical and we also pose the same way,” admits Tara who recently made her Bollywood debut with Karan Johar’s Student Of The Year 2. While on the topic of the film, Pia waxes eloquent about how proud she is of her sister. “It didn’t sink in till I went for the trailer launch and saw her face plastered all over. We sat together, holding hands, watching the trailer of SOTY 2. It was surreal to see Tara on the big screen,” she gushes.

Prod Tara on why she thought a high school musical was the best launch and she quips, “The pros outweighed the cons, there are so few films in that space. It was great to kickstart my career with a film that made the most of my talents.” She is quick to point out that her second outing, Marjaavaan, is a complete departure from Mia Chawla. “It’s such an exciting time for women in entertainment, there’s so much I want to do.”

And any regrets about losing Kabir Singh to Kiara Advani given its box-office success? “It’s a remake of a hit film (Arjun Reddy) so it was bound to do well,” she reasons. Didn’t the misogynistic tone of the film rankle? “As a woman, a human being and an artiste, I know I have a certain social responsibility, but as artistes we also have a certain artistic freedom and the right to express as we please. It’s on the audience as to how they interpret that. Personally, I am a fan of both Arjun Reddy and Kabir Singh,” she avers.

While Tara is navigating her way through Bollywood now, Pia has been travelling around the world as a professional ballet dancer who also teaches kids. “That’s one thing I really hate, I don’t get to see her as much as I’d like to. Pia is always globetrotting,” she complains. Her twin is quick to point out that though she has been away from home since she was 18, they have always remained connected. “One day, in Poland, I woke up feeling something was amiss. I immediately called her in Mumbai and learnt that she had been upset all night. It’s creepy but it happens,” Pia laughs.

Is Bollywood on the cards for her too? Before Pia can reply, Tara does, “There are times when we are abroad and people walk up, rave about her exotic looks and offer her scripts instantly without even a look test while I am ignored. She should certainly give Bollywood a shot.”

Tara goes on to share that if she finds certain steps too hard, she turns to her sister for help. “We performed our first opera when we were six. All our weekends were at the NCPA. We’ve been performing on stage for so long, we can actually fall asleep there—that’s how comfortable we are on it,” Pia laughs.

But it’s not just their professions that connect them. They share secrets too and give each other relationship tips. “Tara is the responsible one and sets curfew timings for me. I am a free spirit while she is the voice of reason. She will stay up late, giving gyaan,” says Pia. Have they ever had a crush on the same guy? “Except for Richard Gere, we have completely different taste in men so thankfully it has never come to that,” Tara retorts with relief. And how does she deal with dating rumours now that she is a part of the industry? “It is amusing, and also a little flattering. In the beginning I used to wonder who this mystery guy is who they are talking about, now I can laugh it off,” she shrugs nonchalantly.

If there was a quality that they could have traded, what would it be, you wonder. Pia points out that Tara was always bullied and she would rush to her rescue. But after entering the industry, she has become more resilient, even though she remains a sensitive artiste. “I wish I could become just as strong,” she breathes in awe.

Her sister returns the favour, informing that Pia was a star student in school while she was always a little behind in academics as her focus was art and singing. “But now she is so worldly-wise, I’d like to be more like her,” she says appreciatively. Overriding her sister’s protests, Pia adds that she wants to learn how to faff like Tara. “She can spin five pages around a one-line while I can sum up five pages in a sentence. There are two types of Scorpios, we are the two ends of the spectrum,” Pia confides while her sister nods in agreement.

Seeing their camaraderie, one wonders if there’s any rivalry since they work so closely with each other. “We have never competed, rather we have been inspired by each other’s work and feed off the other’s energies. Our fields overlap all the time. Tara has to dance in her films while I sing sometimes. But there is no question of rivalry because we want the other to succeed,” asserts Pia. Finally, what’s the one thing that they hate about the other. “Both of us think that the other is messy and no one admits to it,” Tara signs off with a chuckle.

As told to Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 11, 2019)

I started off as a video jockey with Disney Channel. I was just 13 then, still in school and super excited to be picked by a leading American channel which had just launched in India. I was their first VJ and I shot for my show, Big Bada Boom, the Indian version of Studio Disney. It was a show-within-a-show with interviews of Bollywood celebs. Both the director and channel knew that I was a professional singer, having sung at competitions and operas since I was seven and that was important for the show. They asked me a few questions and then, before I knew it, I was on board.

My co-hosts were Zain Khan and Murtuza Kutianawala. We shot in Mumbai during the summer holidays. I didn’t tell anyone in school about the show but to my amazed delight, after the summer vacation everyone knew about it and wanted to be photographed with me and were asking for my autograph. That was fun!

I went on to act in some Disney sitcoms which were adaptations of their famous US shows like The Suite Life Of Karan (right; above) and Kabir and Oye Jassie. Interestingly I met Farah Khan who choreographed the “Hook-Up Song” for my debut film, Punit Malhotra’s campus caper, Student Of The Year 2, during one of my early stints on television on a talent hunt show. I was around 12 or 13 when I entered what I thought was a school singing contest. It ended up becoming a televised show (Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega; left). I was surprised but I ended up singing on the show which had Farah as a judge. When I met her on the sets of the SOTY sequel I reminded her of our first encounter and admitted that it was nice working with her again 10 years later.

Three years later, when I was 16, I met the Padamsees — Alyque and Raell—who were really big in the theatre circuit. I was a huge theatre buff myself and Raell was making one of my favourite musicals, Grease. The Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey stage production was named after the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as ‘greasers’. Set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School, it revolved around 10 working class teenagers as they struggled with the complexities of peer pressure, politics, personal core values and love. The score borrowed heavily from early rock n’ roll.

Raell asked me if I knew about Grease, because it was way before my time. It was first performed in 1971 in a Chicago nightclub and even the screen adaptation opened in 1978. When I told her I did, she asked me to sing a song from it. I complied, she liked my rendition and I was on board for the play. I worked with her for two-three years and we did many successful seasons of the production.

Among one of my first jobs, I also remember recording a song for Aamir Khan’s directorial debut Taare Zameen Par and another for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish. All this happened when I was really young. I was part of the background score for both films. I got paid for all these assignments. I’ve always been wise with my money and invest it well besides enjoying it.

Tara Sutaria looks back at her acting debut as she begins prep on her film opposite Ahan Shetty
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 6, 2019)

Tara Sutaria who made her film debut with Student Of The Year 2 alongside Ananya Panday and with Tiger Shroff as their leading man, is relieved that the cat is finally out of the bag. “It’s so nice that the film has released. All of us had been excited about it. The reactions have been mixed, but I am grateful for all the love we received,” the actress says.

The bouquets were naturally accompanied by brickbats, but Tara says she was ready for all outcomes. “I’ve been in this line of work for a long time, so I’m used to criticism. In this case, there was no pressure from the production house, but people had expectations given the film’s franchise status and the first part’s success. Ever since the film was announced, we’d been subjected to trolling and memes, so we were expecting some criticism. But it’s part of the process,” she reasons.

The actress has already wrapped up her second film— Marjaavaan opposite Sidharth Malhotra—and is getting into prep for the third, the RX 100 remake opposite Suneil Shetty’s debutant son Ahan. “My role in Marjaavaan is something no one else is doing right now. I didn’t expect to do my second and third film in the same year. It’s great to be busy. I finished promoting SOTY 2 and I got into the R X100 remake. We’ve shot a bit of the promotional material. Now we’re busy with readings and will go on floors in the next month or two,” Tara says.

Tara is also looking forward to a playback stint at the movies. “I hopefully get to sing in my third film,” she signs off. 

Deepali Singh (DNA; May 18, 2019)

On the day that her debut film Student Of The Year 2 (SOTY2) raced past the Rs 50-crore mark, Tara Sutaria was busy doing a photo shoot with another newcomer, Ahan Shetty, for their forthcoming film, the Hindi remake of the Telugu hit RX 100. “I just got off the phone with our director (Punit Malhotra) and Tiger (Shroff),” said the 23-year-old with a smile. It’s been eight days since SOTY2 released and the actress says the feeling is surreal. “Everyone is so happy with the response to the movie and I hope the love keeps coming our way,” she said. Over to the chirpy youngster who has two more projects in her kitty...

While there have been some positive reviews, there has been some criticism also along the way. How do you respond to the brickbats?
I feel constructive criticism should be welcome, especially the line of work we are in. There is always some feedback with every film, whether good or bad. I think there is a lot of learning to be taken from the criticism. I’m glad it’s there and it's absolutely welcome.

What has been your takeaway from your debut film? 
To keep it real. On sets or off, it’s really important to be yourself. The minute you’re not, it will show in your performance.

So, what’s the real Tara like?
Quite contrary to what people think about me! I’m goofy, clumsy and I think, I have a great sense of humour (laughs)!

Both your upcoming films, Marjaavaan and the remake of RX 100, are love stories…
Marjaavaan is dramatic, violent, and an emotional drama. It’s a completely massy film. The remake of RX 100 is, again, a different space for me. We have just begun work on it and I’m excited about it.

Speculations are rife that something is brewing between you and your Marjaavaan co-star Sidharth Malhotra.... 
From the day we met, people have been talking about our chemistry. Considering our film is a love story, it's amazing that we have that bond and we share a great friendship. Everyone knows we are neighbours. We hang out often. We share a lot of similarities as well.

So, you're not dating him?
He's super cute and sweet and I'm sure he will make for a great boyfriend, but I'm single!

In the remake of RX 100, you will be the senior, while Ahan is the newcomer...
Oh God, ya! We get along on so many levels. He's literally like me, it’s just that he’s a boy (laughs)!

All these films fall under the commercial, massy zone. Do you want to explore smaller, more niche projects as well? 
Cinema has no boundaries these days. All kinds of films are doing well. I'm constantly thinking about what I want to do next. There are so many people I want to work with. It's a great time, as a woman, to be a part of this industry. Women are directing, producing, writing and acting in movies. I want to work with all these women.

Tara Sutaria on why she crushes on two Students; reveals she was to do Guy Ritchie’s musical with Will Smith but ended up shooting a Hindi song with him
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 6, 2019)

There is a definite hangover of the original in Student Of The Year 2. The audience’s tastes have evolved in seven years…
I admit there are many similarities, but the differences are also huge. For example, the focus is on a not-often-seen-before sport like kabaddi. Even the music, dances and Tiger’s (Shroff) action is unique. Despite evolving tastes, there are some films we want to watch and SOTY 2 is one of them.

You debuted as a child star in 2010 with Big Bada Boom, did sitcoms like The Suite Life of Karan & Kabir and Oye Jassie and Raell Padamsee’s stage version of the John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John 1978 musical Grease. Was movies the logical next step?
I’ve trained in music and dance all my life, so I wanted to be a part of the arts but wasn’t consciously thinking of Bollywood. Theatre was my home, I was raised performing on stage, there’s nothing more beautiful than that. Grease, which you mentioned, was my favourite stage production, and to play Sandy Olsson was a dream. I wish someone would adapt it on screen, I’d jump at the opportunity to feature in it again. To answer your question, I wanted to be a singer. But when I was 20, I met Karan who asked me if I was interested in acting, they were scripting SOTY 2. I instantly agreed as I’m a huge fan of the original and after graduating in Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) from St. Andrew’s College, I auditioned for the role. It’s been a whirlwind since.

Tiger and you must bond over Michael Jackson?
We do, but I have many other idols like Priyanka Chopra who has made us proud as Indians and as women.

Why do you keep saying Tiger’s ‘good boy’ image is a facade?
(Laughs) Tiger has two sides to him but it’s only when he is comfortable with you that he reveals his true self, which is funny and naughty. He is also very sweet. On my first day of shoot in Dehradun, during a dance sequence, I sprained my ankle. He pulled up a chair, put my foot up and massaged it. We hardly knew each other then and I wasn’t expecting it. As my first co-star, he’ll always be special. It’s no secret that I have a crush on Tiger.

But on Karan’s talk show you confided that you don’t have a crush on a current student but on an ex-student. Sidharth Malhotra?
Sid and I live close by so we hang out together. He’s very busy and so am I but it’s nice to have someone close by. We have a lot in common, he’s wonderful! We are friends… good friends.

Reportedly you were dating Rohan Mehra earlier?
Rohan and I have known each other for a very long time. We have a lot of mutual friends too.

Your second film, Marjaavaan, is with Sidharth…
There’s a third film now (Hindi remake of the 2018 Telugu action-drama RX 100), which I kick off in two weeks with Ahan Shetty. It’s a blessing to be doing three films in my first year. I’ve just wrapped up Marjaavaan, an emotional, dramatic, violent love story which was quite a change from the light-hearted SOTY 2. When I heard the script for the first time I wondered if I’d be able to do it as it’s such a different world. The girl in the RX 100 remake is also completely different.

Buzz is, you’re singing in the RX 100 remake too.
I want to do everything related to music. I love singing and I hope I get to do it in the film.

Why did you let Shahid Kapoor’s Kabir Singh get away?
It didn’t work out because we had so much left to shoot of SOTY 2, but I am glad I did Marjaavaan soon after.

Weren’t you supposed to play Princess Jasmine in Guy Ritchie’s upcoming musical fantasy Aladdin with Will Smith as the genie?
I’d even started training for it in London but SOTY 2 was on, and there was a lot happening here. Still, training with everyone there was a lifetime’s experience while SOTY 2 is a dream come true.

But you ended up doing a song with Will Smith in your debut film.
(Laughs) Yeah, it was such a pleasant surprise. Life works in funny ways.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 6, 2019)

Mumbai girl, Tara Sutaria is confident and talented. At the age of 23, she has years of experience as an artiste. She’s worked in plays, anchored TV shows and acted in two serials when she was a kid. She is also a trained dancer and singer, who has performed at competitions and operas and is well versed in dance forms like classical ballet and Latin American. In short, she was more than prepared to take the plunge when a single meeting with Karan Johar landed her the part in Student Of The Year 2 (SOTY 2). The actress takes us through her journey so far and what lies ahead:

Unlike a lot of newcomers who don’t have a film background and have to face years of struggle before they get a break in the industry, you seem to have had a relatively easier entry into showbiz. Do you agree?
Yes, it’s been like a dream, not a struggle really. Yes, things tend to be tougher for people who’re not from this business, but I got lucky. Also, let’s not divide the industry into outsiders and insiders. If you look at the people who have been launched so far, there are more ‘outsiders’ doing well than the ‘insiders’. Karan (Johar) didn’t know me and had never seen me perform, but he knew of me. Luckily, the one meeting that I had with him at his old office was enough to set things in motion. He was warm and sweet. I remember I even sang for him. He told me to complete my graduation and come back to test for Student Of The Year 2, which was being written at that point. It all fell into place after that. For the test, I shot two scenes with Punit Malhotra and got the part.

On Karan Johar's chat show, you came across as someone with a lot of grace and poise. Was it a part of your prep or does it come naturally to you?
I have always been very mature. That comes from performing on stage from a very young age. As a singer and dancer, you deal with situations that other kids don’t, which makes you a lot more mature and prepares you for a lot of things. My mother is a grooming and etiquette professional, and that is evident in the manner in which my twin sister Pia and I have been raised.

You wanted to be a singer at one point in your life. How did acting in films take over?
I was four years old when I wanted to become a singer. The good part about our household was that there was a lot of focus on arts; my family is deeply into it. So, after school, we always had extracurricular activities lined-up. That opened us up to a whole new world, which exists outside the curriculum, something that’s also been highlighted in Student Of The Year 2. That experience while growing up helped me a lot while shooting this film. Also, I was doing musical theatre in my teens. When I was in college, I started getting offers to act in movies. At that time, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Before finishing college, I met Karan and things have been great ever since. Today, I feel nervous and excited in equal measure. We’re all excited to share what we have been working on for an entire year.

In his interview, Tiger told us that there is a world that exists in SOTY 2, which is very different from the gloss and the glamour that’s associated with the franchise. What are your thoughts on it?
I agree with Tiger. When we were talking about our roles before the film was rolled out, there was a definite reference to Betty and Veronica (from Archie comics). The characters Ananya and I play haven’t been carved like the girls you see in most light-hearted films. These are young, strong women. They have a graph and each time you think you can predict their next move, they will surprise you. My character is independent, strong-willed and does what she thinks she needs to do. She knows exactly what she wants. Like most of us, she makes mistakes, learns from it and redeems herself.

Even before your first film has released, you’ve bagged two more movies. With around 19 newcomers ready to step into the industry this year, do you think you have an edge over them?
I do realise that everyone does not get what I have got. I remember thinking that I will have this one big film release this year. But even before I knew, I had wrapped up my second film, Marjaavaan. In a few weeks, we will start work on RX 100’s remake. So, it’s a busy and wonderful time in my career. To answer your question, all the girls who have been launched in recent times are doing such different kind of work that there is no room for comparison. I don’t think we’re in a contest here. We will all experiment with genres and find our way. If you are doing what you wanted to do and the way you wanted to do it, the rest doesn’t matter. There’s room for all of us.

Talking about having an edge, do you think Ananya has an advantage over you given that she’s an industry child?
I don’t really know whether someone can have an edge merely because they are from the industry, as everything boils down to talent and the drive that you have to get what you want. The way you pursue your dream depends on every individual. I don’t know why people constantly compare artistes.

Ananya and you became friends while shooting the film. Did you guys ever fight?
It’s amusing to think that people expect actresses to fight while making a movie. We get along very well and have a great relationship. I am lucky to share my first film with Ananya and Tiger. It’s sad that people find it hard to digest that two new actresses didn’t fight with each other. In the West, women empower each other. Ananya and I are Scorpions, but we’re different from each other, which helped us share so much. We got along from the word go. She’s the best first co-star for me. There was so much in common between us — our first film, first song, first magazine shoot — we did everything together.

Would you call yourself an ambitious and competitive actor?
(Smiles!) I don’t get swayed by anything because I’ve been seeing the world of showbiz from close quarters and it’s a different space. Thanks to my exposure to theatre and arts, I have evolved as a person. I can handle people and situations well. Yes, I am ambitious, but not competitive, and people shouldn’t put the two together. Honestly, I don’t know what being competitive really is. I have been raised with a twin sister. We have only learnt to love a fellow woman and to help one another in all situations. Probably, there is room for competition, but it should be healthy.

Earlier in the interview, you’ve mentioned that you’ve wrapped up Marjavan.There’s buzz about the chemistry you share with your neighbour Sidharth Malhotra…
Marjaavaan is a violent and emotional story. It’s diametrically different from SOTY 2. The journey has been great on this project as well. I was lucky to have found a co-star like Sidharth. I feel close to this team as well, and they’re all great to work with. Though, initially, Sidharth and I didn’t shoot together a lot; we became good friends as we went along. We shared a lot of notes. He was an ex student and I was the current one (referring to SOTY). He’s also my neighbour, so we always have a lot to talk about.

Do rumours of an affair with Sidharth get into the way of your friendship with him?
No, it never gets awkward. He’s a mature guy and we both know and understand the fact that speculations and conjectures are a part of this business. You can’t shy away from them. The best way to deal with it is to get used to it, which we both are.

What about the relationships you’ve had in the past?
I can just say that, yes, I have been in love before. It’s a beautiful feeling to be in a relationship. I am old fashioned when it comes to love and relationships, and I like it that way. I believe in love completely, and I seek true love all the time. With my experience, I can just say that love does make the world go round. As of now, I am not in a relationship. Suggestions in that space are welcome!