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‘I am where I am today because of modelling career’
internationally as well.
He was seen in Furious 7 (2015) and in Victoria & Abdul (2017).
However, the actor doesn’t like how people demarcate the two industries. “I’m very happy that we are going all over the world now. It should be like this. We are all trying to bridge the gap, since a lot of us are working in and out of the country. I am not going to say ‘Hollywood’, I don’t want to use that word or ‘Bollywood’. Let’s hope that eventually, the boundaries will be more fluid,” says Ali.
Asked if he has ever turned down an international project, Ali says, “Aisa nahi hai. Kharab hogi toh nahi karenge. There’s one in the pipeline, half-animation (Pikachu)... a big deal, with Ryan Reynolds.”
Prod him further on whether he has a role in it and Ali dodges the question by saying, “I don’t know what you are saying (laughs), I am looking forward to it… but no, I can’t talk about it… ek tweet aayega ‘sorry, we don’t know who this person is, there’s no connection’. Meri image ki dhajjiyaan udh jaayengi (My image will go for a toss).”
Having done films as different as chalk and cheese, actor Diana Penty is now keen on doing a thriller and an action film.
“What excites me the most is choosing films that are completely different from each other. It urges you to step outside your comfort zone and play characters you have never experienced before, in genres you have never worked on before,” says Diana.
“It can be challenging and that is what keeps me motivated as an actor. And while I’m open to all kinds of films and genres, I would love to do a thriller and a full on action film one day,” adds the Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran (2018) actor.
Diana began her modelling career in 2005 and made her acting debut in 2012 with the Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone starrer, Cocktail.
Does she credit her catwalk days to being an actor today? “Of course, I do. I am where I am today because of my modelling career. It was through the magazine covers and TV commercials — I was doing at the time — that I was spotted and offered my first film, Cocktail,” she says.
About content-driven films, Diana feels that it’s not only a great time for cinema but also for female actors. “What’s most exciting is that women now have so many
It was through the magazine covers and TV commercials — I was doing at the time — that I was spotted and offered my first film, Cocktail.
opportunities to play strong and central characters. The best part is that the audience is appreciating and accepting this change with open arms,” she says.
ACTOR