At the age of 15, when students usually contemplate their future, Tamannaah had already taken the first step towards fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming an actress. Though her debut Hindi film, Chand Sa Roshan Chehra had a dismal performance at the box office, it didn't dampen her spirit. On the contrary, it strengthened her resolve and she forayed into Telugu cinema with Sree. The next year, she followed it up with Kedi, a Tamil movie. Today, she has several hit films to her credit down South. Now, the 26-year-old wants to show her acting prowess in Hindi cinema. In a tête-à-tête with BT, she talks about her upcoming horror comedy Tutak Tutak Tutiya and reveals why she doesn't regret any of her choices.

You are not only playing a double role in Tutak Tutak Tutiya, but this is also the first time that you are doing a trilingual. Were these enough reasons for you to take up the offer?
After the success of Baahubali (2015), in which I played a warrior and my character was much appreciated, I started looking for scripts that gave me the scope to perform. I felt I should do different characters instead of sticking to the kind of roles that I have already done. When director Vijay narrated Tutak Tutak Tutiya's story to me, I found it engaging. I was keen to do the film as I got to play a double role. Initially, the makers wanted to release it only in Hindi and Tamil. I suggested that we should do it in Telugu as well as my movies have a good market there. Now, all the three versions are releasing on the same day.

You play a cattle herder who is possessed by the spirit of an actress. Was it challenging enough for you?
It was tough to enact the village girl's part. My skin tone had to be several shades darker. It would take me two hours every day to get ready and we shot in peak summer. So, it was quite tough.

It must have also been tedious to film one shot thrice?
At the inception level, the idea of doing a trilingual seemed exciting. But when we actually started filming, it was difficult. I don't think I can attempt a trilin gual again. It was gruelling for every one but more challenging for me, as I was playing two characters. There were days when I had to essay both the roles, so it was tough changing from one look to another and performing the same shot thrice.

Your films have done well down South. But your Hindi movies (Himmatwala and Entertainment) haven't worked. What do you think is the reason?
You have some highs and you have some lows. But for me, Baahubali was a huge redemption, as it had a pan India reach. Also, before that, I was known for my dainty image on screen. But everything changed once the movie released. Today, I'm hearing a lot of Hindi scripts and getting more opportunities, thanks to that film.

What kind of roles would you want to take up in Hindi films, especially since filmmakers are experimenting with diverse subjects?
I have always played someone older than myself. Now, I want to play my age. I'm also keen to portray characters which are interesting and challenging. For me, films have always meant entertainment. I don't want to act in a preachy movie just because that is more sensible. I don't watch that kind of cinema. For me, watching a movie is an experience where I can go, eat popcorn and enjoy with my friends and family. I want to be a part of cinema that entertains people.

What attracted you to showbiz?
I always wanted to become an actress. In fact, as a child, I always wondered, 'Yeh log acting toh kar lete hain, par gaana kaise gaate hain'. So, I aspired to be an actor when I didn't even know the concept of playback singing. Thankfully, I had the support of my parents who made a lot of sacrifices to ensure that I realise my dream. Today, if I have made a name for myself, it's mainly because of them.

What hurdles did you face when you started working in the South film industry, especially since you are born and brought up in Mumbai?
The biggest task was being part of a new culture and interacting with people who speak a completely different language. In the past 10 years, I have learnt Tamil and Telugu and I'm comfortable conversing in them. I also had to understand why they make certain kind of films. Once I accepted these facts, it was much easier. Also, my age worked in my favour. When you are 16, you are a student who is open to learning new things and who doesn't have any preconceived notions. Today, if you ask me to go back and do what I did at that time, it would be much more difficult. When you are young, you have nothing to lose as you are receptive to what ever comes your way.

What are the various lessons that you have learnt in your career?
It's important to take success and failure in the right spirit. I neither get excited if a film does well nor do I get dis heartened if things don't go that well.

When you look back, do you wish you could have done something differently?
Not at all. At that moment of time, the decision that I took seemed right to me but it didn't work out well due to some reasons. I don't believe in regretting things, I believe in looking ahead. I like to live in the moment.

What have been your fondest memories?
I feel lucky that I'm doing something that I love. There is nothing more tragic than not liking your job. I feel happy that I have been able to pursue some thing that I truly enjoy and have been appreciated for my achievements. There is a lot more to do and I'm on the quest.

He may be known for his beefy built and six-pack abs, but the first thing that strikes you about Sonu Sood is his humility. It's always been this way, ever since he made his Bollywood debut as Bhagat Singh in Shaheed-E-Azam (2002). Though he won recognition for his portrayal of a political goon in Mani Ratnam's Yuva (2004), Sonu's struggle in Bollywood was far from over. In fact, he calls Dabangg the turning point in his career, as it opened new avenues for him. We caught up with the actor, who is turning producer with the upcoming horror comedy, Tutak Tutak Tutiya. Sonu has dedicated the film to his late father Shakti Sagar Sood, after whom he has named his production house. Excerpts...

You had once said that being a producer is a thankless job. So, what prompted you to venture into it?
That's what I've heard many producers say, but I wanted to change that notion. Now that I have turned producer, I want people to say that working with me is a pleasure.

Why did you choose Tutak Tutak Tutiya as your production debut? You are making the film in three languages - Hindi, Tamil and Telugu...
Actually, director A L Vijay was keen to cast me for this film. At that point, I was planning to get into production. I liked the script so much that I decided to produce it. As for making it in three languages, the idea was to reach a wider audience after Prabhu Dheva and Tamannaah came on board. It was challenging, as we had to take three takes of every shot. We have also cast different supporting actors in each version. It wasn't easy, but I'm happy after seeing the result.

Barely a week before the film's release, you were served a legal notice for allegedly plagiarising the song, Rail Gaddi. As a first-time producer, were you worried?
I've already stated that I have acquired the rights for the song. Also, this wasn't the first notice. Earlier, I was accused of copying the story. The person sought compensation, but I told him to ask for his 'dues', if the story indeed was his. Eventually, he admitted his mistake.

You hail from a small town in Punjab and you're a qualified engineer. What drew you to Bollywood?
I was never a filmi guy. I was a serious student, who wanted to score well and make my parents proud. But destiny brings you where you belong.

Were your parents disappointed when you decided to pursue acting?
I thought being their only son, they would want me to join the family business and run their clock showroom. But they encouraged me saying, 'If this is your dream, you have our blessings'.

From asking producers for a role to becoming one yourself, life has come a full circle...
I could reach here today because of my parents' support and blessings. I wish my mom and dad were around to see this day. I wish I could sit with them and watch my first movie as a producer.

Godfathers play a huge role in shaping careers of newcomers. Do you see yourself as a mentor to new talent in the industry?
No one gives time to newcomers. I don't want others to go through the trying phase I've been through. I would consider it an achievement, if I can bring about a change in someone's life by giving them a break in the industry. When I see a newcomer, I remember myself from years ago. I'm glad that the song Rail Gaddi (sung by new talent Navraj Hans) is doing well.

Talking about your struggling days, did you set a deadline to achieve your goals in showbiz?
Yes, I came to Mumbai with the intention of landing a break within a year. But before I knew it, three-four years had passed. Finally, I bagged a commercial that required me to simply stand in a group, along with 19 others. They paid me Rs 2,000 per day. The struggle was a learning experience and the rejections I faced made me stronger. I had come to Mumbai to make my parents proud and I am glad that I didn't let them down.

As a struggler, what was the meanest thing you heard?
People were not ready to spare even two minutes to see my photographs. That's when I questioned myself if I was doing the right thing. Among the many who refused to see my pictures was a director who approached me after I became successful. When I reminded him about his earlier rejection, he said it couldn't have happened. Anyway, I didn't do his film, as I didn't like the script.

What kept you going during the struggling phase?
My mom's letters pushed me to go on. I needed perseverance to achieve my dreams.

B-Town is known for its camps and groups, but you seem to be friends with almost everyone...
I try to be what I am, and I won't try to please someone to maintain a relationship. I'm not pretentious. People are smart enough to see who is real and who is not. So, I'm good friends with everyone.

When you strike a conversation with Prabhu Dheva, you don't feel that you are talking to a celebrated artiste who has spent decades in the industry, juggling several talents - acting, choreographing and directing - effortlessly. You have a tough time believing he is the same man who defies laws of gravity with his footwork when he confesses that he is worried about letting down the audience with his dancing skills in films. His humility is for real and he is a simple man of few words, but clear in his thoughts. Ahead of the release of his upcoming horror-comedy Tutak Tutak Tutiya, he opens up about his journey in the industry and why he thinks life is all about giving oneself a chance...

You are playing the lead in a film after quite a few years. What excited you about this project?
It's the genre. Bollywood filmmakers have rarely explored horror comedy. So, we thought it would be interesting for the audience. This film has humour, emotions and horror in equal measure. It was quite challenging as well because we shot it in three languages simultaneously - Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. We would deliver each dialogue thrice over. Though we enjoyed the process, it was difficult for technicians, especially the director, because they had to sit through each scene thrice.

We hear initially, you were supposed to just produce the film.
Yes, director Vijay approached me with the story and I was under the impression that he wanted me to produce it. So, I listened to the script and told him I was in. When I asked about the lead actor, he told me he wanted me to essay the role. I was unsure, but I decided to take the plunge anyway. In the last few years, I've been busy directing. Though I'd done significant roles in films like ABCD and ABCD 2, I was looking at doing a film again as an actor. For that, I needed to start somewhere, and this one seemed apt.

You have done cameos in your own movies, but you are doing full-fledged dance numbers in a film after a while...
To be honest, I wasn't looking at this film as a platform to dance again. But Vijay told me that the audience would expect me to go all out and dance. I was still unsure because I didn't know if I could live up to people's expectations. It's been a long time, and I was worried. But luckily, no song in the film looks forced. In fact, all the tracks lent themselves to situations beautifully. The numbers were peppy and I got into the groove. Unfortunately, while filming one of the songs, I suffered temporary paralysis. It happened due to a severe muscle pull and I couldn't move for five hours. I thought I would never be able to walk again, let alone dance. But slowly, the pain reduced and I was back on the floor with full josh.

Buzz is that you suggested Sonu Sood's name for this film.
Vijay was looking out for an actor to play an important role and I told him about Sonu. He was shooting with Jackie Chan when I called him to tell about this film. He didn't even ask me what the story was and said he would do it. But I insisted that he should listen to the plot. He liked it so much that he even decided to produce it. This is also the first time I'm working with Tamannaah. She is an amazing actress and dancer. She is so dedicated that she allocated 20 days just to rehearse for her role. She could have easily finished shooting for a film in that much time.

Did you teach them any of your signature steps?
I don't think I have any trademark moves. But I did teach Sonu my tapori-style fun movements. During rehearsals, I gave him simple steps to work on. But he was adamant that I give him difficult ones. He practised each step so hard with childlike enthusiasm and showed me what he has learnt. I also like his discipline. Irrespective of when we report on set or when we pack up, he ensures he goes to the gym. He never misses his routine. I don't think I can follow him, but I admire him.

Since you've also directed films, did you give Vijay any inputs?
No, he is an established director in the South. He has mastered his craft. Also, I'm an actor in the film, and I stuck to doing my job. Once my work was done, I would get out of the set (laughs).

Actor, choreographer and director - if you had to pick one role that's inseparable from you, which one would it be?
Choreography. It's my lifeline and I will never abandon it for anything. Direction is my passion.

In a career spanning three decades, have you made any mistakes?
Oh, thousands of them. I think committing mistakes is my job. We do so many films and put in the same kind of hard work for all. If it becomes a success, we've done something right. If it doesn't click, then we know that something has gone wrong.

If you can go back in time, would you want to rectify some of them?
No, because in the process of correcting one mistake, I will make another one. I think everyone should make mistakes, there's nothing wrong in learning from them. That's life.

Your biggest achievement?
When I first came into the industry, I wanted my work to speak for myself and my aim was to earn a good name. Over the years, my priorities changed and I wanted to make more money. But in the last four years, I'm back to square one, my character certificate became important for me. I think going back to where I began is a big achievement.

Your character in the film is obsessed about marrying a modern woman. If life gives you another chance, what kind of a woman would you fall for?
I don't know. Many things happened to me in the past, and there's no point in revisiting it. Life is all about giving yourself a chance. Whatever is destined to happen, will happen.

Kangana Ranaut and Sonu Sood have been buddies from the time they acted together in the Telugu film, Ek Niranjan. Though they shared credits in Shootout At Wadala, they didn't have a single scene together in the gangster flick. However, when Sonu asked Kangana to launch the title track of his maiden home production, Tutak Tutak Tutiya, she couldn't refuse. While she was all praise for the production values of the film, when asked if she would also turn producer like Sonu, the actress said, “I'm more inclined towards direction. But if I get a producer like Sonu, it would be great to make my debut as a director."

Sonu Sood lifts his co-stars Prabhu Dheva and Tamannaah Bhatia for the title track of his film Tutak Tutak Tutiya. Recently, Shah Rukh Khan lent his voice as the narrator in the film and Farah Khan launched the trailer. Today, Kangana Ranaut will unveil the song Tutak Tutak Tutiya - the contemporary version of bhangra singer Malkit Singh's biggest hit - that also has Sonu singing some lines. Well, it seems Sonu's Bollywood friends are really going that extra mile for their dost.

Sonu Sood and Shah Rukh Khan have become good friends ever since they worked together in Happy New Year (2014). Over the last two years, their bonding has only become stronger. So, when Sonu was gearing up to launch the trailer of his maiden production venture, Tutak Tutak Tutiya, he was keen that his friend should be its narrator. As SRK was travelling to Prague for work commitments, he couldn't shoot for the part. Nonetheless, he went to a studio to record his voiceover and send it to Mumbai, in time for the trailer launch yesterday.

Confirming the news, Sonu says, “I wanted Shah Rukh to be a part of my film. As he was travelling for work, I requested him to be the narrator and he readily agreed. It's kind of him to take the effort and go to a studio in Prague, record his voiceover and send it to us.“