I’M NOT RESTING ON MY PAST LAURELS

Actor Manasi Parekh Gohil says she is constantly hustling to get better projects

Manasi Parekh Gohil marked her entry into Bollywood with Uri: The Surgical Strike last year, and she couldn’t have asked for a better launch. While the war drama went on to win four National Film Awards, her short film, Laddoo, also received a special mention.

So, is she taking things slow now? “Not a chance,” replies Manasi, adding, “Entertainment per se is a tough nut to crack. There are so many people, so much talent; it’s tough competition. That’s why I never rest on past laurels.”

The actor, who started her career on TV, has been a part of shows such as India Calling and Sumit Sambhal Lega. “But I never think like, ‘I’ve done so much work on TV and my film was received well, so I can just chill and wait for offers to come my way’. I am not like that. I am constantly on my toes, on the lookout for my next project,” explains Manasi.

One thing the 33-year-old is sure of is the need to stay relevant. “That’s why I hustle. People have to notice you, talk about you; only then they’ll cast you,” she adds.

Manasi is now gearing up for her Gujarati film debut, Golkeri. A Gujarati herself, she has also shot for a song featuring her husband, singer Parthiv Gohil, and singer Mika Singh. Talking about her decision to branch out to regional cinema, she shares, “Cinema is no longer about the language. A Korean film (Parasite) won best film at the Oscars. It’s about content and people are waking up to that. Although Hindi remains the biggest film industry, it is amazing what’s happening in regional cinema as well.”