It all feels like a fairy tale : Arushi
She is a certified engineer who studied in Waknaghat, Himachal Pradesh. And the newbie, Arushi Sharma, who is readying for her fullfledged debut with Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal, shows a glimpse of it right at the start of the conversation by bringing up electrons. “Shooting for the film seemed like work. But now, it’s like an electron that starts to collect energy and shoots to the next level,” says the young actor, whose parents are judges and uncles are government officials. “That’s why sometimes, I wonder, ‘is my family really proud of me (about becoming an actor) or are they hiding their feelings (laughs)?” she says. Excerpts from an interview:
You are a true-blue Imtiaz Ali discovery (he cast her in small role in Tamasha, 2015, after his team spotted her in the college). Does that put any pressure on you?
I don’t think so. When I got the part in Tamasha, I didn’t know shooting mein kya hota hai. So, I was like, ‘jab shoot pe jaate honge tab bahut pressure hota hoga’. But there was none. Everything flowed effortlessly. Even during Love Aaj Kal, I didn’t feel any pressure. I don’t know why and how. It’s definitely because of Imtiaz sir and the way he directs and keeps things so simple. I feel when you go simple, you are being yourself and that’s the best thing. And I am happy with the tag of being Imtiaz Ali’s discovery. And if people are putting that pressure, I’m happy to take it because that’s how I would be able to bring out something good.
You were spotted by Imtiaz’s team in your college in Shimla, and now you are his lead star. Has it all been dream-like?
I do feel that it’s a dream
(smiles). Sometimes, when I would get nervous on the set, and feet that I am not doing something correctly, Imtiaz sir would say, ‘Think of it as a dream Arushi’. After Tamasha, I felt that magic and the feeling is still with me. It all feels like a fairy tale, to be honest. Coming from Shimla to Mumbai, is something I had wished for. I feel really blessed that it has happened in my life.
Since Tamasha, how has your journey been? What were you doing after that film?
In the meantime, I finished my engineering. And while I was in college, I started giving auditions. And I would always ask [Imtiaz] sir if there’s any opportunity in any of his films in the future, and that I would love to do it. He gave me (casting director) Mukesh Chhabra’s number and asked me to be in touch with him. After my college got over, I started working. But I continued to give auditions. Although I wanted to be an actor, you also have to be practical about it. I never had the guts to leave everything and come to Mumbai because it seemed impractical to me. In this journey, I have learnt more about myself, more than anything. I never thought that I am this brave and patient. So, that way, it’s been a learning experience.
How was your co-star, Kartik Aaryan to work with?
He is so full of life and a funloving person. He is so involved, friendly and supportive that it feels really good. I was initially a bit scared but he made me feel comfortable. Also, initially, I wasn’t able to focus on the right things. But then, I started observing him, and learnt that everything is chaotic around you but you have to be focused. I think he does it so well, and I tried to emulate that. He helped with the technical aspects of acting as well.
Do you have any future plans in your head?
I think I do have a vague idea about what I want to do but I think this film is going to decide a lot of things for me. For me, people’s reactions as well as industry’s response really matters a lot. I want to note down what they say and how they feel about me, because I am not an actor. Once the film releases, I think I am going to write a thesis
(laughs). Right now, I just want to be patient and see how things go.