‘I’ve experienced the journey that was written for me’

Says Esha Deol, who recently turned producer with Ek Duaa. She speaks about her aspirations as a producer and her journey as an actor

Esha Deol Thaktani, the older daughter of Hema Malini and Dharmendra is a lot like her veteran actress mom. For one, she’s a multitasker, who had hoped to venture into producing films, as well as act in films.

With her production house Bharat Esha Productions, Esha has turned producer. Her maiden venture, Ek Duaa, a short film on female foeticide, reunites her with director Ram Kamal Mukherjee after their 2019-film Cakewalk.

Excerpts from an interview:

EK DUAA

HAS BEEN RECEIVING MIXED REVIEWS. HOW MUCH DO REVIEWS MATTER TO YOU?

I don’t pay much attention to reviews though at the end of the day; it’s the audience that decides the fate of the film. The film was made for a section of people who’d probably watch it. This film was made with a very different intent

— to put good things in the audiences’ minds. And to this end, the audiences’ reaction has been amazing. And that’s what matters to me.

YOUR FILM SHOWS MEDICAL TESTS HAPPENING TO VERIFY THE SEX OF THE CHILD. DO YOU NOT FEAR A BACKLASH?

I don’t see how it will backfire. Corruption exists everywhere. And if some people want the means of finding out something like this, they would go ahead and do so.

Moreover, I did go ahead and produce this film, didn’t I?

HOW WOULD YOU LOOK BACK AT YOUR

BOLLYWOOD JOURNEY?

I’d like to believe that I’ve experienced the journey that was written for me. I’m an achiever and a dreamer. I believe that each one’s journey is what they’ve experienced so far. I also think that over the years, our industry toughens one up. And I continue to achieve whatever way I wish to be.

YOU MUM ALWAYS HAD HIGH HOPES FROM YOU. SHE’S BEEN QUOTED A COUPLE OF TIMES, SAYING THAT YOU’LL CARRY HER LEGACY BE IT ART, BE IT FILMS, DANCE SHOWS, ETC. SO DID YOU DEBUT AS A PRODUCER BECAUSE YOU’RE TRYING

TO FULFIL HER WISHES?

It is very sweet of mum to think like that, and I think at the end of the day, all parents are proud of whatever their children do. I’m someone who sets

goals and makes sure I achieve those and fulfil my dreams. That’s my focus.

WHEN WILL WE SEE YOUR MUM

AND YOU COME TOGETHER ON THE SILVER SCREEN? IN FACT, WHEN WILL YOU, YOUR DAD AND MUM COME TOGETHER?

I don’t know if mum and I would work together — depends on the kind of script we get. It should excite

both of us to collaborate and come together to be on screen. I don’t know about papa though.

DHARMENDRA IS COMING BACK WITH DIRECTOR KARAN JOHAR SOON. WHAT’S

YOUR TAKE ON IT?

It’s great to see him back with this film with Karan Johar. But he also has a good line up of

films. He sure is excited to be working in front of the cameras again.

DO YOU THINK BEING BORN TO ACTOR PARENTS BROUGHT YOU LESS PRESSURE FROM THE INDUSTRY?

‘WE WERE COMPARED TO OUR

PARENTS RIGHT FROM OUR FIRST FILM. HAVING TWO

LEGENDARY ACTORS FOR PARENTS FELT LIKE WE WERE PUT IN A PRESSURE

COOKER.’

We were compared to our parents right from our first film. That’s not less pressure. Having two legendary actors for parents felt like we were put in a pressure cooker.

(Laughs).