‘I’d time travel to share the stage with Rafi sahab’

Shraddha Kapoor has had more hits than flops in her eight-year career in Bollywood. With a winning streak at the box office with formula films, Shraddha Kapoor also threw in an unconventional choice, Haider (2014). The actor now explores a totally new genre for her — horror comedy. Shraddha says she is enjoying this consuming but experimental phase. With four big films queued for release, the actor talks about Stree, her first film in 2018:

This is your first time doing a horrorcomedy. What were the challenges?

Every film comes with its own set of challenges. In this film, the challenge was to stay true to the feel of the character as she is from a small town. To retain the mystery around her and have a very special quality to her that was most challenging. But when I heard the narration, I was sure I wanted to do it. It was fun and I was laughing all through. The writing is spectacular. I felt that it was a clutter breaking film. I was happy that such a film was being made and was offered to me.

Are you a fan of horror comedies?

My favourite horror comedy would be hands down the Scary Movie series. I love those films because their humour and their jokes are pretty nonsensical (laughs). Among Hindi films, I think Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) was fun.

Do you have a phobia or believe in any superstitions?

I do believe that there are energies. I do think that there is something out there. I don’t know what it is and it is okay to not know what it could be. But I don’t think I am superstitious. But my dad had gifted me a car when I started working on Aashiqui 2 (2013). The car number and colour is the same as my current car that I bought for myself. I kept the same number because it was just something that felt right. Otherwise, I don’t believe in superstitions.

How do you zero in on a project? Do you consider its saleability?

I think that it is more of a producer’s job. I only see a film from an actor’s point of view and make my decisions accordingly. I see if I connect with the story and the character I am playing. If I feel I am going to grow and enjoy an experience, as well the challenges that come with a film, then I sign it. Also, these are the only things in my control, so I might as well keep my focus on that.

Would you be singing in your upcoming films? Name one singer with whom you always wanted to share the stage…

I would have loved to share the stage with the late Mohammed Rafi. I would love to time travel for that. But, if you ask me about the films that are up for release, I haven’t sung in any.

How is the Saina Nehwal biopic shaping up?

The prep is still on. It’s extremely challenging, but a lot of fun. We begin shooting the next month. The badminton portions will be shot next year.

PHOTO: YOGEN SHAH Actor Shraddha Kapoor is glad that she got to play a role in a horror comedy