Aruna Shields kissing Vivek Oberoi in Prince

She is the hottest thing about Prince and while that’s not really saying much, let’s just say that the Vivek Oberoi film becomes a “showpiece” only when ARUNA SHIELDS appears. The half-Scottish half-Indian Aruna opens up to t2...

Introduce yourself...

Well I needed to please the parents and ‘get qualifications’ so I started off studying at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and also did a degree at Central St Martins in London. I used to tease them and say, one day I’m going to be a belly dancer! To their surprise I learnt the dance, performed and even won some competitions. When I put my mind to something I do it.

Anyway, I always knew I wanted to work in performing arts. So I joined acting groups and while at a theatre workshop I got signed by an agent. This gave me the opportunity to cast for various productions and I secured leading roles in independent and experimental features. It was great, I loved the work and it gave me heaps of experience on sets. I’ve done everything from touring in theatre for over a year, working as a magician’s assistant doing fire cages and escapology to underwater films and dancing with snakes. It’s all character-building and has led me to where I am today.

So where does Prince fit in with this adventurous ride of yours?

Well I’ve always been intrigued by Bollywood but never really understood the industry. It was an enigma to me. I never made a decision to go to India and become a Bollywood star or anything like that. I just fell into it.

The producers of Prince (Tips) were looking for a new international face and decided to hold castings in London. They had stumbled upon my acting website too. Anyway we met and they said I fit the bill. Apparently they wanted someone who was comfortable with stunts and had martial arts experience. I had done Kung Fu to keep fit while studying. What luck!

They flew me to India and I had to do a crying scene in Hindi from the script. I cried... no problem... but my Hindi is nominal so I thought surely they would not want me. To my surprise they were really keen. But I was concerned with the language and so I initially turned down the role. They convinced me that it would all be okay and that one day I would thank them. I’m thanking them now!

Yes, it has been hard... extremely tough but well worth it. I feel privileged to be part of cinema history — the first Indian Bond girl. It makes me smile when I read messages from girls saying I’ve inspired them.

Aruna Shields as Maya in Prince

Didn’t it bother you that you have to share space with two actresses?

Not at all. We all want to make sure that each other’s performances are brilliant so that the entire film gets lifted. Film-making is teamwork. And I really enjoyed my friendship with the other girls. We helped each other and it felt like a family. Because I was the new girl, Nandana (Sen) acted like my big sister.

What do you think makes your Maya special in the movie?

My Maya, without revealing the plot, is the action queen of the movie, the superhero. Even though she is a tough fighter she is also mysterious and multi-layered. She also depicts patience and understanding. Often referred to as stunning but much more than just eye candy. She’s a very empowering role model for a woman. And men love her too... well, she is hot.

What was it like working with Vivek Oberoi?

Oh, he used to tease me a lot. I was the ‘newbie’. So he used to ask: “Is madame going to have tea and scones today?” He would also get me to shout Hindi swear words on the loudspeaker. Of course I can’t repeat any of them. I didn’t have a clue what I was saying but it seemed to amuse everyone. I didn’t mind at all and have lots of happy memories. He was very professional and we both risked our life doing the stunts for the film. We often were joking to each other while being suspended thousands of feet off the ground or doing crazy bike bungee jumps. We had to laugh otherwise we would cry! It was very dangerous.

Did you actually calm Vivek’s nerves during the kisses?

Vivek was worried about upsetting his female fans and so was I. It felt awful (be)cause when we had to kiss I was hearing the sounds of their hearts breaking. Don’t worry girls I’m only here to entertain you...Vivek is still single. The kissing scenes were relaxing compared to doing crazy stunts. It was light relief from the usual madness. Except in one kissing scene where helicopters were shooting at us!

Do you look at Prince as a stepping stone to a Bollywood career?

I never over-analysed it that much. I think I just liked the idea of doing an action film. It sounded a lot of fun. There was so much for me to learn. Now the film is finished it’s all sinking in. Now I’m being contacted by managers and getting sent scripts. For me it’s quality not quantity and I’m not going to jump at any role. If the right script comes along I will consider it. However I would like to remain an international actor.

Which are the other ‘international’ projects you are working on?

I just finishing shooting for an epic adventure called AO The Last Neanderthal, a gritty Beauty and the Beast love story set 30,000 years ago. It’s produced by cinema chain UGC who made (the Oscar nominee) The Prophet. It releases internationally in September. People will be surprised by this film... it’s awesome. We’ve been shooting in extreme locations. I’ve had to learn spear throwing, tribal languages and primitive body movement. It’s kind of like Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto.

Do you have a role model in Bollywood?

Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Some obvious ones like Nandita Das and Hrithik Roshan. I really like Kangana Ranaut after seeing her performance in Fashion. I love arthouse cinema and so, of course, I like the godfather of Indian cinema, Satyajit Ray. I gave my father The Apu Trilogy for his birthday. I am also a member of the film appreciation society run by Bafta.

Finally, who’s the Prince of your life?

My dog Philip. He’s half-Pomeranian, half-Sheltie and I love him. Everybody does, he makes people smile. Animals are so rewarding to be around. They live in the moment and have no pretence. Sometimes I prefer to be around their energy to that of human beings. Bless them.