Twenty-four-year-old actor Rakul Preet Singh is a Punjabi by birth but has carved a niche for herself in Telugu filmdom. The actor with drop-dead looks, who has been paired opposite leading stars like Mahesh Babu, Allu Arjun, Junior NTR, Ram Charan and Ravi Teja, says she is flushed with offers these days. Rakul made her Bollywood debut in ‘Yaariyan’ but it is in the Telugu film industry that her career as an actor reached its zenith. Apart from the Miss India Poll, Rakul won four other subtitles at the Femina Miss India beauty pageant – Miss Fresh Face, Miss Talented, Miss Beautiful Smile and Miss Beautiful Eyes. She is presently shooting for two films. In one of them she plays the role of Allu Arjun’s lady love. In an interview with Sunday Post Rakul speaks about her initial
problems with mastering the Telugu tongue and how she made a smooth transition from modelling to acting. Excerpts:
Rashmi Rekha Das
You were an avid golfer and competed in national tourneys. Why did you suddenly quit the game?
Golf was always very special to me. But then I also knew that I wanted to be an actor. I started modelling as a teenager. I quit golf because I was getting tanned. I knew that it was not what I wanted to do at the end of the day. Although I have quit golf, I love playing it even now.
A Punjabi girl has made it big in the Telugu film industry. Has the journey to the top in Tollywood been difficult?
Well, being a Punjabi initially I did not even know that the south Indian film industries were so big. I had no plans to work in the south. I was just 18 years old when I started modelling. I had no idea about the south Indian film industries at that time. Things just happened. I got a call from a Kannada film director. I thought I was lucky to have got a movie and signed it immediately. I took a two-year break to finish my college and came back. When I came back, I shot for ‘Yaariyan’ before doing my first Telugu film. The release of Hindi movies takes a lot of time. After shooting for ‘Yaariyan’ there was time in my hand. So I shot for my first Telugu movie which went on to earn big at the box-office. After the success of my first film there was no looking back. The industry has welcomed me so warmly that I have never thought of leaving it. The Telugu film fraternity is amazing and the love I am getting from people of the industry is totally unconditional.
How would you like to define yourself as an actor?
I don’t think I can define myself as an actor because I am very critical. I don’t like anything that I do. And I don’t think any actor should be very complacent about his/her achievements. Acting is a vast field. You have to learn every day and grow every day. There is so much to explore. So I would say I am an actor who is looking to learn every day.
You have worked with almost all Telugu superstars. Who is your favourite among them and why?
No. First of all, I have not worked with all the superstars. There are still many I haven’t worked with. The people I have worked with have been gracious and helping to me. I cannot name one favourite. Everyone is equally special to me. Each and everybody in the industry has welcomed me with open arms and have extended support. I had great fun working with each one of the Telugu superstars.
The song ‘Le Chalo’ projected you as a glam doll. You even got a compliment from superstar Chiranjeevi for your performance in the track. How did it feel?
The moment when the compliment from Cheeranjivi Garu came is a memorable one. I was overjoyed to have got the compliment from Cheeranjivi sir. He said, ‘You look more than gorgeous’. I can never forget that compliment. It meant a huge deal to me as it came from an actor of his stature. He is humble and down to earth and has an encouraging word for every newcomer. That is what I like most about him.
Do think modelling is a stepping stone in an actor’s career?
Well, modelling and acting are two completely different fields. But yes, modelling can be a stepping stone in an actor’s career.
Modeling gives an actor exposure. It gives an aspiring actor entry into the glamour industry. Modelling teaches you how to conduct yourself before the media. There are many things that I have learnt as a model that have later helped me conduct myself in the film industry. Moreover, modelling grooms you for the film industry. I am lucky to have had prior modelling experience which ensured that I didn’t enter the film industry raw. If your first two movies don’t click, you are written off completely. So I think it was right on my part to gain a little experience and maturity before entering the film industry. Surviving in the film industry is difficult and every newcomer should be mature enough to understand this.
You have recently stated that every actor deserves a pay hike. You have also said that an actor’s pay should be proportional to his demand. Please share your views on the issue.
I don’t know why the pay hike issue is discussed so much in the media. I said what I said because I was asked to give my opinions on the issue. Not only acting but in every field professionals need pay hikes from time to time based on their performance. Whether you are a software engineer or a doctor, the moment your designation rises your salary too increases. Why should it be any different in the film industry? Actors have no off days and their schedules are hectic. An actor who is in demand can legitimately ask for a higher pay than someone who is not. The actor who is the talk of the town and bagging film after film can naturally ask for a pay higher than those not in the limelight. All professionals who perform deserve a pay hike. Actors get paid as much as they deserve.
What are your upcoming projects?
My film ‘Nannaku Prematho’ starring Junior NTR was released recently and is doing well. My next film is with Alu Arjuna titled ‘Sarainodu’ under the direction of Boyapati Srinu. I am shooting for another film with Nitin which is as yet untitled. Besides, I have also worked in the Ramesh Sippy-directed ‘Shimla Mirchi’. The shooting is over and the film will hopefully release by March-end. I have not signed any Hindi movie this year.
Who is your inspiration? Who would do like to give credit for your success?
There are lots of people who inspired me. First, I would give credit to my family for supporting me always. Audiences have accepted me wholeheartedly and showered their love on me. I am grateful to them too. And the Telugu film industry accepted by warmly. It too deserves a large part of the credit.
You are the most sought after actress in Tollywood at present. Is there intense pressure on you to perform every time?
Yes, there is a lot of pressure. I usually try to stay away from pressure. I feel if you start getting pressurised you lose your peace of mind. One who loses peace of mind can never give his hundred per cent. My job is to give my hundred per cent to every film I am shooting for. The rest I leave to god, the audience and destiny.
You have done many Telugu movies. Are you comfortable with the language?
Yes, now I have become fairly comfortable with the language. I started speaking broken Telugu within the first five-six months of working in the industry. Now, it’s been two years. I can talk about seventy per cent Telugu and understand the language completely. I enjoyed the industry from day one. In fact, when I go home, Telugu comes more naturally to me than Punjabi.
What would be your advice to budding actors?
I don’t think I am good enough to advise aspiring actors. Whether you are an aspiring actor or model you have to have faith in your abilities. There would be lots of people around who would want to prove you wrong. Be smart enough to understand where your talent lies. Don’t waste your time doing things you are not good at. And, of course, work as hard as you can.
If you are offered an Oriya movie, will you say yes?
I will think about it when I get the offer.
