I was born and brought up in Mumbai and like a lot of children growing up in the ’90s, I too lived on a staple of Bollywood movies. When I was three or four years old, I used to sit obediently while my cousins used to dress me up and put make-up on me. I always wanted to be an actor. After I finished school, my family wanted me to go abroad for higher studies but I was 17 and desperately wanted to find something to do in Bollywood. I came to know that Yash Raj Films was looking for an assistant casting director. I applied and bagged the job of assisting Shanoo Sharma, a well-known casting director. That was a major turning point in my life. 

Around the time when I was looking for a job, Yash Raj Films was also looking for the female lead for the film, Dum Laga Ke Haisha. I loved the script when I read it and was asked to cast a fresh face for the role. Meanwhile, Shanoo kept insisting that I should give acting a try. I was asked to play the character of Sandhya for the demo tape that was shot for the audition. I had no idea that the team would actually show the tape to Aditya Chopra. He liked my work and on my 18th birthday, I got a call from the team informing me that I had bagged the lead role for the film. It took a while for it to sink in. This film will always remain close to my heart because it helped me to find a foothold in the industry. It certainly is the biggest turning point in my life. 

My parents are pretty progressive. So, when I told them that I wanted to do this film, they supported my decision. Now, I always tell people that I am doing what I always wanted to do. When the movie received a positive response and my performance was appreciated, it was a special feeling. I was lucky to have made my debut with such an honest film and I know that because of this decision, I am going to be careful while choosing scripts in the future.

Right now, I’m shooting for a love story, Manmarziyaan, directed by Sameer Sharma, opposite Ayushmann Khurrana. I hope to keep doing movies that Indian audiences can relate to.

  (As told to Shilpi Guha)