Need more experience for women-centric cinema: Athiya
Shetty talks about why she turned down women-oriented projects and her younger brother Ahan’s film debut
She is one film old in B-Town. And now, Athiya Shetty is gearing up for her second project. She will start shooting for her next movie, Mubarakan, in January. Excited to work in a comedy, Athiya says she felt “insecure and nervous” during her year-long waiting period after her debut, Hero (2015). The actor, who was offered many womenoriented films during that time, didn’t feel confident enough to take them up. She feels she needs more experience to portray such roles.
Your brother, Ahan Shetty, has signed his first film. How are you feeling about that?
I am excited for him. He is a positive person and very hardworking. I know I shouldn’t be praising my brother (laughs). I am the older one, and yet I learn a lot from him every day. I have always admired his work ethic; he is very dedicated. I am also feeling a sense of déjà vu with his film announcement, and am more excited for the movie than him. He keeps asking me to relax. I have never lived in the moment, as I constantly think about the future and dwell on the past. Through his announcement, I have realised how important it is to live in the moment.
Did you have advice for him?
No. I didn’t have to give any advice to him because he advises me. Sometimes, I feel like I am the younger one, as I am treated like that. I don’t know why it has always been like that in our family. He is mature and has his head on his shoulder; not that I am saying I am not (laughs).
Why did it take you so long to sign your second film?
I am excited to be part of a comedy film. It will be a challenge. I wanted to sign a movie when I genuinely wanted to be part of it. I wasn’t getting roles that I felt were substantial. Also, weirdly, I got film offers that were women-oriented. I didn’t have the confidence to be able to take them up. I felt I was too new [in the industry] to be part of them. I needed more experience as an actor before taking up such cinema. I didn’t want to jump into these projects.
Was the waiting period tough?
Yes. There were days when I would feel nervous and insecure, wondering if I was making the right decisions and going about my career correctly. But then I realised that you shouldn’t take up any movie based on what the outcome will be. You should sign a movie you want to be part of, which is why I signed Mubarakan.
I am also feeling a sense of déjà vu with his (Ahan; brother) film announcement, and am more excited for the movie than him. ATHIYA SHETTY, ACTOR