Three years since her debut in Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year, Shazahn Padamsee is still struggling to make a mark in the big bad world of Bollywood. “I am very conscious about choosing the right films,” says the 24-year-old. Over a hot cuppa at her home in the suburbs of Mumbai, Shazahn, who plays a “typical Gujju girl” in Housefull 2, talks about spending time with Ajay Devgn and a romance “rumour”.

You’ve always wanted to do a masala film...

I have always dreamt of being a part of a film that’s directed by Sajid Khan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. I can’t think of a single actor who wouldn’t want to work with them. One of the best things about working with the two Sajids is that it doesn’t feel like work.

Does comedy come easy to you?

I would say that it does. I have seen enough comic films to know what comedy is all about. Also, the dialogues are already funny so there wasn’t much that I had to do. Sajid Khan is a great director.

You are cast opposite Shreyas Talpade and he also has great comic timing...

Comedy is Shreyas’s forte. He was great in Golmaal. I think his comic timing is perfect. So, automatically my performance becomes better when I am with him. It was the same with Ajay (Devgn in Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji). I just had to ride the wave. Shreyas is also a great mimic. Actually, everyone in this (Housefull 2) cast would mimic really well. I was the only one who couldn’t.

It’s very tough for a heroine to make a mark in a multi-starrer. Are you worried about being overshadowed in the film?

Not at all. I am the junior-most person in the cast and also the youngest. I don’t think I will get lost in the crowd but even if I do, this is a great crowd to get lost in! We have veterans like Boman Irani, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Mithun Chakraborty. Akshay (Kumar), John (Abraham) and Asin are all established names. Even to be in the same frame as them feels like an achievement.

What have you learnt from Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn?

I, actually, spent a lot of time with Ajay. He is someone who is so focused about his work. From the time he reaches the sets, he is like a horse with blinkers. He has great work ethics. After he finishes his work, he almost transforms into another person. Then, Ajay is really chilled and fun. Akshay is just as focused and not just about work but his fitness and diet as well.

When you debuted with Rocket Singh, you had said you were still getting used to the ways of the industry. Have you settled down now?

Oh yeah, definitely! I was so new then. If I count the south (Indian) films that I have done, Housefull 2 is my fifth. I am a lot more confident. I guess everyone’s first job is always the scariest. I know my way around a little better. I am not anxious or nervous.

What are your future projects?

I haven’t signed anything. I have a couple of offers. I have also been doing southern films. I would love to do theatre if I get some time later this year. I love the adrenaline rush of acting on stage.

There has been talk of you dating Vinod Khanna’s nephew Akhil Kapoor!

(Groans) No! I not am seeing anyone. I don’t understand where these rumours originate.

 

As far as debuts go, Zarine Khan’s was anything but memorable. So, it’s not surprising that she has her “fingers and toes crossed” for Housefull 2. “I am very excited about this film. I can’t wait to see how the audience will react to me because it’s very different from Veer,” says the actress in a phone chat with t2.

 

After the Veer fiasco you surprised us all with Character dheela (Ready).

After Veer, I got criticised for everything I did. There were reams written about how I looked like Katrina (Kaif), I was fat and didn’t know how to dress. I was completely written off. It was a tough time for me because I started thinking that people had a grudge against me. Then along came Character dheela. It did for me what Veer couldn’t do. Character dheela was a turning point in my life. It felt good to hear positive things about myself.

There was a lot said about your weight after Veer…

(Interrupts) People don’t realise that I was asked to put on weight for Veer. I was a newcomer so I couldn’t refuse. No one had seen me before the film, so everyone just assumed that I was fat. After the film I knew that I had to get back into shape as soon as possible. This is a very unforgiving industry and there is too much competition.

You were also given a very unflattering nickname....

Yes, I was called Fatrina! It’s like people didn’t want to give me a chance. It was such a disadvantage and, honestly, I didn’t know how to deal with all the negativity.

Have you met Katrina?

Of course I have. She was very cordial. She is my senior and so I couldn’t expect anything more.

Sajid Khan had sent out a memo to all actors before shooting, guaranteeing that Housefull 2 would be the biggest hit of all your careers. How did you react when you got it?

When I signed Housefull 2, someone told me that Sajid sends out these notes to his actors before he starts shooting but I didn’t believe it. I was very amused when I received the letter. I have kept it as a souvenir.

But to prove yourself, wouldn’t you have preferred to work in a film where the focus was on you rather than a multi-starrer?

I did have solo-heroine offers but they were all from debutant directors. After Veer, I didn’t want to take a chance. I am not from Bollywood and nor do I have a godfather here, so it’s tough for someone like me to get second chances. I want to take my time and pick the right kind of projects. I wanted to do Housefull 2 because it’s a brand and both the Sajids are so successful. Also, it’s given me the opportunity to work with some wonderful veterans.

What was it like working with the other three actresses?

It was fun. I know that people don’t believe me, but it really was. There were no catfights because everyone was treated equally. Because there are so many characters, obviously all of us have short roles, but they stand out. We would all hang together even when we weren’t shooting, specially the girls. We talked about clothes, make-up, holidays, fitness and just about everything else. Shazahn and I would party together while Jacky (Jacqueline Fernandez) and I would watch films.

From Sajid Khan to Akshay, Riteish and even Shreyas Talpade, there were quite a few pranksters on the sets. Who got ragged the most?

Thankfully, it wasn’t me. I am quite a tomboy so they treated me like one of the boys. Poor Shazahn was always the target. I think it was because she was the baby of the set.

There is a perception in Bollywood that Salman Khan’s taken you under his wing. Do you go to him for advice?

Not really. He is very busy, so I don’t like to harrow him with my problems. If I do need advice, he is my last resort. And his advice is always spot-on.