Sacred Games was an acting the best of the best for me: E

The model-turned-actress reveals how Shah Rukh Khan was the one who lured her to Bollywood and more in a chat with City Times

michael@khaleejtimes.com

If you’ve watched the Emmy-nominated Netflix Hindi show Sacred Games, you’d surely remember the gorgeous Jamila/zoya Mirza who played the goon Ganesh Gaitonde’s (Nawazuddin Siddique) mistress in the crime thriller. Ever since she appeared in the web series, the Iran-born, Germany-raised Elnaaz Norouzi, has become a recognised face in Bollywood. But getting into the industry wasn’t a cakewalk for the actress. Considering her background, she had to overcome several obstacles like language and culture before getting accepted.

“It has been a hell of a journey,” said Elnaaz, who started her career with modelling, and has worked with Salman and Shah Rukh Khan in commercials.

“I’ve travelled a lot as a model and becoming an actor wasn’t the easiest task for me, especially in India, where there is so much one needs to do such as mastering the language, the dance and the craft of acting. It has been a tough and long (journey), but worth it,” added the actress, who has walked the ramp for top brands like Dior and Hugo Boss, among others.

Tackling any new language can be difficult, and in Elnaaz’s case, even though she is a polyglot, who besides her mother tongue Farsi, is fluent in languages such as German, English, French, Urdu and Punjabi, she had to work hard on learning Hindi.

“Blending into Bollywood wasn’t easy at all for me. I have to admit that I haven’t yet completely blended into the industry, but I’m working on myself and trying hard to make sure I’m worthy of it. I’ve worked hard learning Hindi. I would say the biggest challenge has been convincing people that I can not only speak Hindi fluently, but I can also act too.”

Modeling her way up

Elnaaz started her showbiz career with modelling. She has worked on top international brands and has endorsed products in India too. She started her movie career in Punjabi films and also appeared in music videos before getting her big break in Sacred Games in which she shares screen space with one of Bollywood’s most talented actors, Nawazuddin Siddiqui.

“Nawaz sir (Nawazuddin) is a brilliant actor. I learned so very much from him during the time of our shoot. Sacred Games wasn’t just work for me; it was an acting school with the best of the best,” said the actress.

The hit Netflix series, of course, features another popular Bollywood star in the lead – Saif Ali Khan – and Elnaaz revealed that she’s been a fan of the actor for a long time.

“Considering that I had his posters on my walls as a teenager and now I am working with him, the experience was surreal! He is such a humble person. It was an honour to share the screen with him.”

Not many mainstream actresses would have been

Considering that I had his (Saif Ali Khan) posters on my walls as a teenager and now I am working with him, the experience was surreal! He is such a humble person.” Elnaaz Norouzi

comfortable taking up a bold role as Elnaaz did in Sacred Games. So did she read Vikram Chandra’s critically acclaimed book to know about her part before signing up for the series?

“I had not read it (Vikram Chandra’s book) before signing the series. There was a strong reason why I signed Sacred Games – something other actresses would not have probably seen. It provided me with an international platform to show what I can do as an actor. It allowed me to work with outstanding directors. It also gave me the chance to prove to people that I am not just a pretty face, I am an actor who can pull off two characters. I hope that’s reason enough.”

Emmy high

Sacred Games (season 2) was nominated in the Best Drama category at the International