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Kajol is so chilledout and just like one of us: Rashi Mal
Rashi Mal counts Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) as two of her favourite films. So, the actor’s joy knew no bounds when she learned that she will be sharing screen space with Kajol in her debut film, Helicopter Eela.
“Most of my scenes in the film are with her. It was surreal because I have been a fan girl. I even had posters of her in my room. I think during the major part of the shoot, I just kept staring at her. Every time she spoke to me, I had a goofy grin on my face and the music of DDLJ and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai kept playing in my head,” says the actor. Reminiscing the first day of shoot with her favourite actor, Rashi says that she was very nervous, but it was Kajol who helped her calm down. “My first scene in the film was with her and it was so overwhelming... she is my idol. She kind of sensed it and helped me out to make me feel comfortable,” she says, adding that both of them bonded over their love for dark chocolate ice cream and reading.
Kajol may be a senior in the profession, but Rashi says that hanging out with the actor felt like being with a college student. “She is such a ball of energy. She is so chilled-out and is just like one of us,” she adds.
This film is Rashi’s maiden Bollywood film, but it’s not that she is new to the profession of acting. She has done quite a few TV shows, such Paanch 5 Wrongs Make A Right, Yeh Hai Aashiqui, Love By Chance and Gulmohar Grand. She has also done web series and theatre.
The actor says that her only aim is to keep doing good work as that is the only way she will get to move ahead in her career. She says, “The times have really changed and you can only succeed by the virtue of your skills. It is very evident with the kind of people that are coming up now and are being loved by all, for instance, Vicky Kaushal, Sumeet Vyas, Rajkummar Rao.”