‘I used to watch Saif in films; never thought I’d act with him’

Despite the controversies surrounding its characters, the web series Sacred Games continues to gain popularity, and actor Elnaaz Nourouzi, who plays the role of Zoya Mirza in the series, can’t agree more.

“I feel when a project becomes big, these problems keep happening. And this has only helped the series to be the talk of the town,” says Elnaaz, whose role came under the scanner for bearing strong references to Katrina Kaif. She shares screen space with seasoned actors like Saif Ali Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the series. So, was shooting with such stars intimidating? Elnaaz says, “Fortunately or unfortunately, my very first scene was with Saif sir. I was so scared that I was shaking. While I was growing up in Germany, I used to watch Saif in Kal Ho Na Ho and never thought that I’d do a project with him.”

Elnaaz feels that she was terrible in that scene .“When I see that scene today, I feel it has been my worst performance because I was so excited that I didn’t know how to do it [right]. But Saif sir was amazing. He made me comfortable and helped me with my lines by giving cues,” she adds. Elnaaz has wonderful things to say about Nawazuddin, too. She exclaims, “Oh my god! His eyes! Just look into them and you’d be like what an actor he is. I was new had no idea about anything. I kept thinking will I be able to match up to him.”

Not just co-stars, the actor feels blessed to have worked with filmmakers Anurag Kashyap and Vikramaditya Motwane. “The makers were looking for an Indian girl for Zoya’s character for a very long time. But, whenever they found someone, either of them disagreed. I feel glad that both of them liked me and were happy with my Hindi” she says.