‘I am very grateful to life’

It’s been eight years in the industry for you. How has the journey been?

The past eight years have been very challenging with lots of ups and downs. But it was fulfilling and the mistakes have shaped me well. I can only blame myself for them and applaud myself for the good things. I am very grateful to life for the entire journey.

What have been your best and worst moments in your career so far?

My best moment has to be the Cannes Film Festival. After the screening of Masaan, we got a standing ovation, which lasted for few minutes. It was indeed a proud moment. The worst moment happened immediately after Gangs of Wasseypur. I was selected for a role after a look test and audition. But at the last moment, I was dropped because the actress they ended up hiring actually was having an affair with the producer of the film! It was quite disheartening for me.

Panga is set to release this Friday. How was the experience of working with Kangana and Neena Gupta?

I am a huge fan of Neena Gupta. I wish I had scenes with her in Panga. I like her work from Sooraj Ka Satwa Ghora to Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron and even the TV show Saans. She is a true feminist, who raised her gorgeous girl Masaba single-handedly. With Kangana, I have a professional relationship and she has been pleasant to me. I always wanted to do a film on kabaddi and am glad that Panga happened.

There is a trend of making biopics in the industry. Anyone you would love to play on screen?

There are many historical characters who are only limited to pages in the books. Savitribai Phule is one of them. She was a social reformer and a great personality. People also say I have a lot of similarity with Zeenat Aman and it will be fascinating if I play her. And then also Meena Kumari, a lot of aspects such as her drinking problem and her personal life is unknown to people. She died young and before that had written some amazing poetry. So, I would love to play one of these three ladies.

Who is your dream director?

Zoya Akhtar.

When are you getting married to Ali Fazal?

We don’t have marriage plans right now.

One thing you love about Ali and one that you don’t like about him?

He is an amazing person, a true gentleman, charming and educated. What I don’t like about him is that he gets distracted easily and becomes restless.

What’s your take on the recent JNU controversy?

My mother is a lecturer and when I saw this professor of JNU in blood, I was so disturbed. It affected me personally. I am angry with the situation.