“Disaster strikes after dating”
“No one knows how long one is going to live,” says web-series actress Shiv Jyoti Rajput, who was recently seen in Special Ops 1.5 and Bebaakee. So, it’s good to lead an existence that you have chosen and not one decided by your family or peers.” The actor’s journey is testimony of her adhering to this principle. On holiday in Mumbai, her friend, also a talent scout, landed Shiv Jyoti an ad film. The Delhi girl was then unsure about how to break the news to her conservative family. “My worry was that my dad should not see my commercials on TV!” she reveals.
Shiv still refrains from doing ‘bold scenes’, which has led to her losing projects; in fact, she’s reported to have rejected Kabir Singh.“I didn’t do it though it was a good opportunity. I didn’t want my family to feel embarrassed,” she says. But there are no regrets. “I’ll get performance-oriented roles like in Special Ops 1.5. Kay Kay Menon said he couldn’t believe I was new!” she smiles.
Tell us a secret no one knows about.
I talk to myself in front of the mirror and compliment myself with, “Darling, you are so beautiful!” I look at my reflection and say: “Wow! This girl is so amazing. I should make her a star. She greets everyone well, so I too will greet her warmly.” Your body reacts positively to the compliments you pay yourself.
Tell us a childhood memory?
Most of them involve putting my brother in danger! I was fascinated by science experiments and would use him as the subject.
If you were forced to eat only one dish for a week, you choose?
Vegan meat.
Have you had a cooking mishap?
Never put hot mix in the grinder. I burned myself doing this.
What was your biggest date disaster?
Dating is the honeymoon period. Disaster strikes much later, when you label your relationship.
Which is your favourite podcast?
I prefer listening to books. Right now, I’m making my way through the Mahabharata. I feel we can learn from history and be able to crack the answers to life.
Which website do you go to to relax? No website puts you at ease, but I like Tarot readings on YouTube.
- Dinesh Raheja