Length of the role doesn’t matter, impact does: Disha
In just four years, actor Disha Patani has proved her mettle as an actor with hits such as Baaghi 2 (2018) and Bharat. The audience love her, so does the social media (her followers on Instagram is impressive at 25.5 million and growing). Now, one can safely add filmmaker and TV czarina Ekta Kapoor to the list. Ekta has offered this 27-year-old a woman-centric film. Ekta says, “When we started working on the story, the first person that came to my head was Disha, so we talked, and everything else after that led to this. So, yes, I’m super-excited about this project. I’ve always admired her as a person and artist, and the fact that she has amassed such a huge fan following in such a short time.” Disha, who shares the excitement, gets talking. Excerpts:
You have been in the industry for four years now. What’s the biggest learning you have had?
It is that you just have to keep going. There will be a moment when you will be on cloud nine, and then you shall be at your low as well, but nothing should stop you from taking things a notch higher from what you have been doing.
You are known as a disciplined actor who mostly keeps to herself and her craft instead of attending parties and socialising. Has that changed now?
Not really! I am the same person I was when I began my career. I am a little introvert when it comes to socialising. I like to stay with myself, but it’s not like I don’t go out to party at all! It’s just that I do that occasionally.
After starring in pivotal yet short roles in hits such as Bharat and MS Dhoni — The Untold Story (2016), you are shouldering Ekta Kapoor’s upcoming film...
The length of the role doesn’t matter, until they are impactful, and you receive love and appreciation from the audience for it. I am grateful to Ekta Kapoor ma’am for bestowing this opportunity and I look forward to doing complete justice to it.
Is there a sense of added pressure, since you will be the sole face of the film?
There is always an immense pressure to deliver when you are working with a team like this. However, I am determined to give my 100% as always.
We have learnt that you will be playing a Punjabi girl in this film. What’s the prep going to be like, since this will be the first time you will play such a role?
It’s a very interesting role with a quirky story line, which was one of the reasons for me to pick this role. We will begin the prep now, while I’ve already started warming up to the character. Playing the role of a small town girl would be challenging, but at the same time, I am super-excited for the role.
What do you make of the scenario today, where female stars are shouldering films that go on to become super-hits?
It has always been like this, but the horizons are much broader now. Women have been an integral part of the film industry and we continue to be so.
I’m super-excited about this project. I’ve always admired her (Disha) as a person and artist, and the fact that she has amassed a huge fan following in such a short time. EKTA KAPOOR FILMMAKER
I’m a big Kishore Kumar fan and love singing his songs. If there is a script where my character in the film would need me to lend my voice, I’d happily attempt it. SIDHARTH MALHOTRA ACTOR