SHABIHA NUR KHATOON
Dishita Sehgal, who has made a mark in critically acclaimed movies like Neerja and Dear Zindagi, is all set to share screen space with Irrfan Khan in the upcoming film Hindi Medium
Child artiste Dishita Sehgal who played a role in Alia Bhatt- and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dear Zindagi, will play Irrfan Khan and Saba Qamar’s daughter in Hindi Medium which is slated to hit theatres May 19.
Hindi Medium didn’t fall on Dishita’s lap, with the child artiste having to go through many rounds of auditions and a weeklong workshop before she was selected for the role of Pia in the film.
In a telephonic conversation with Orissa POST, the little wonder spoke her heart out. Asked how she managed to bag the role, Dishita said: “It was not easy. On the basis of my portfolio and previous work experience, I was selected for the auditions at the initial stage. But after that I didn’t hear anything from the casting team. One fine day, I got a call from the production house and they asked me to come for a re-audition. I had lost all hopes of getting selected for a role as the selection process was too long. However, soon after I was called for a weeklong workshop which gave some hints as regards the final selection. It was in August last year when I got the good news that I would be sharing screen space with Irrfan Khan and Saba Qamar.”
Dishita, who is currently studying in a Mumbai-based international school, was pampered on the sets. “Shooting for the movie was a fun-filled experience. Everyone on the sets pampered me a lot,” she said.
Dwelling on her experience of working in the film, Dishita revealed how shooting with Irrfan and the director was a learning experience for her. “Director Saket Chaudhry is a wonderful person. He used to explain the situations to me once, told me now how to react and I did whatever he wanted from me. Overall, it was a great learning experience,” she said.
“There was a scene where Deepak Dobriyal’s son shouts ‘Papa dengue’ and Deepak ji had to come running and hit the mosquito with chappals. Every time Deepak ji used to come with chappals to hit the mosquito I would burst out laughing. I was supposed to be scared but I just kept on laughing. Finally, to shoot the scene they covered my face with a dupatta,” Dishita chuckled as she recalled the incident.
Dishita appeared in movie Baby and after its release went to watch it with her parents. She couldn’t resist her excitement seeing herself on the big screen and told her mother, “Look mother, I am on the silver screen”.
Post Baby, she appeared in Neerja and Dear Zindagi. “It is a great feeling to be associated with such good films. By the grace of god, all the films I have worked till now have been lapped up by the audience and I hope people will also like Hindi Medium and my role in it,” said the twinkling star.
“My parents and teachers have been supportive all through. My parents make sure that I strike a perfect balance between studies and other commitments. My mother, a radio jockey, trains me in voice modulations and acting, while father helps me with studies. My teachers help me to grasp the lessons taught in class, which I often miss due to shooting. I really feel blessed for all the support and love I receive,” added the actor.
Acting apart, the Class I student loves painting, dancing, music and gymnastics. In fact she is taking training in both art and gymnastics. Recently one of her paintings was exhibited at Yellow Canvas in Mumbai. Dishita wants to be a painter in future but promises to continue acting as she enjoys it.
Speaking to Orissa POST, Dishita’s mother Mamta Sehgal said that they were selective about her auditions as they didn’t want her to miss school for a long time. “We make sure that Dishita is not missing her school too much because of shooting. We are very selective about the auditions she attends. If she has something important going on in school we do not encourage her to miss school. If something important comes her way we inform her teachers and take their permission before applying for leave, if required,” said Mamta.
Dishita’s beaming mother said her daughter was a true champ. “She won a silver medal in the annual school meet and bagged a gold medal in English at the International English Olympiad. We feel proud when we receive compliments from everyone that she is a well-behaved child and a great person to work with on the sets,” added Mamta.