UP CLOSE WITH ADITI

The actress talks about working with Mani Ratnam, playing a daughter to Sanjay Dutt, and her upcoming film Padmavati

Sanjay Dutt is an effortlessly natural actor. To be playing a daughter to him is amazing. He is also very protective and generous

Aditi Rao Hydari might not have a godfather in the Hindi film industry, but that has not stopped her from bagging big projects, not just there, but also in the film industries down South.

After a small break, the actress is now back in the limelight armed with not one, but three films, Mani Ratnam’s Kaatru Veliyidai — which will be released in Telugu as Cheliyaa — Sanjay Dutt’s comeback film Bhoomi, where she plays his daughter and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmavati.

In a chat with DC, the actress talks about the experience of working on these projects and how life has changed.

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PADMAVATI. HOW DID IT FEEL WORKING ON THE PROJECT?

It’s been my dream to work with Sanjay Leela Bhansali in a period film. Everything on the sets, right from the costume to jewellery, is beautiful. Working opposite Ranveer Singh has been fun, too.

YOU ARE PLAYING SANJAY DUTT’S DAUGHTER IN BHOOMI. DID YOU EVER EXPECT SOMETHING OF THIS SORT TO COME YOUR WAY?

I never expected that I would get to work with Sanjay Dutt. You don’t always get a father-daughter story so it was a surprise, but when I got this opportunity, it felt like getting a gift. He is an effortlessly natural actor. And to be playing a daughter to him is amazing. He is also very protective and generous.

HOW WAS IT WORKING WITH MANI RATNAM?

Mani sir is constantly challenging you, pushing you and giving you the freedom to explore. He is there guiding you, nurturing you, and his script is so beautiful... You are working without any stress when you are working with him because you know he is there, mentoring you.

YOU HAVE COME A LONG WAY ON YOUR OWN WITHOUT ANYBODY’S SUPPORT. HOW HAS THE STRUGGLE BEEN FOR YOU?

I have a longer way to go. I have many more dreams and as an artiste, I am constantly pushing myself. I worked for seven years in Mumbai without any help, but I look at it as a fact and don’t look at it as a bitter experience.

ARE YOU ALSO TRYING YOUR LUCK IN HOLLYWOOD?

Cinema and art is not about geography and language. For me, what matters is a good director. If I get an opportunity in Hollywood, I will do it.