‘WON’T MOVE TO MUMBAI’

Dangal girl Zaira Wasim says she can’t imagine leaving her home in Kashmir I don’t think I can ever think of leaving my hometown; it is a scary thought ZAIRA WASIM, ACTOR

She made quite an impact on the audience and critics with her performance in last year’s blockbuster, Dangal. And now, actor Zaira Wasim will be seen in Secret Supertsar, alongside Aamir Khan, again. However, the 16-year-old is clear that she does not want to shift to Mumbai, as most young actors from other parts of the country do, to pursue a career in Bollywood. “I don’t think I can ever think of leaving my hometown; it is a very scary thought for me. I don’t think I will ever be able to comtemplate moving out of Kashmir. I don’t mind travelling back and forth (for work),” Zaira says.

In Secret Superstar she’s the protagonist. Ask her if that makes her the hero of the film, and she says, “I believe I am not the actual hero of the film, it is the mother (of the protagonist; played by Meher Vij). However, as an actor, there is always pressure to dive into the character and to do justice to the character.”

And how has her equation been with Aamir? “I am very fortunate that I got to work with him twice. All of us girls from Dangal are so close to him. Now it has reached a point where he is just one call away. If you feel the need to speak to him, he takes out time for you. He is definitely more than a mentor for us,” she says.

Despite having Aamir as her mentor, Zaira is an outsider in Bollywood. However, she says she’s comfortable in the industry now. “There was a perception before stepping into the industry that actors have the most luxurious life, but now I understand how much hardwork and dedication goes into it. I like it here, and feel comfortable,” she says.

PHOTO: YOGEN SHAH