Forget nepotism, focus on your acting craft ,” insists talented actress-model Arpita Srivastava

Chaitanya Padukone

Your performance as the former girl-friend in the romantic-drama YouTube short film ‘The Last Time” where you finally confront your ‘ex-boyfriend’ on his wedding-day has been well-appreciated, with over a million views. How tough was the ‘aakhri mulaqaat’ role ?

Frankly, I could relate with the girl’s character ‘Radhika’ who has broken-up and moved-on in life, in (short film) ‘The Last Time’ on multiple levels. Having said that, there were certain things or dialogues that she said, that made me sit back and think. The challenge was to connect with her mindset. Once that acceptance happened, everything else was just easy, I had fun playing her.

Do you endorse the real-life unfair trend of guys falling madly-in-love with a girl, but settling for an arranged match, with some other girl, whom they-hardly-know. ?

NO, there is a reason I'm writing it in block letters...I believe that the idea of being separated from that one person you sincerely love has been romanticised to another level. Specially in certain films, which is fine. But the problem arises wherein people in real life tend to adapt to that zone of 'Channa Mereya' and might choose to let go of their lovers and settle for some other new partner. Which is Not right. Unarguably, one has-to-be-bonded with the person you really love. Being with that one person who brings out the best in you, is the whole point of marriage . Which all about sharing and caring.

What made you decide to deviate into modelling and acting ?

I had a list of ambitions growing up- from a teacher to being a snake wrangler(my love for snakes, I still love them), to being a C.A. to being a journalist-reporter then finally being an actor-model.. I did fulfil my dream of being a reporter. Way back in in 2014 where I was singled out by a director in our College Theatre to play the lead in his next play. I was always the big-time Bollywood enthusiast, remembering all the desi Bollywood songs and dancing and swaying to the hook steps. The rousing response I got at the end of the debut-play, made me precisely sure of choosing acting as my career option.

You seem to have a flair and love for vocal and instrumental music . Comment

So true--music is my first love. My mom holds a 'Vishaarad' degree in music. I think that is the reason that music stayed with me all through out my growing years. Now I have also realised the importance of both music and dancing. I have done two years training from Bhatkhande Music Institute. I have sung in my live theatre shows. Definitely, I am open to performing in decent exciting music videos.

Why have you been so choosey regarding showbiz assignments ?

My major focus was and is always theatre-plays. That is a different ecstatic joyride for me personally. I have worked in a web series, few short films and TV shows. But I still believe that my best work till now has been mostly in theatre, in the presence of ‘live’ appreciative audiences.

Describe your ‘true-colours’ personality in four words-phrases ?

Weird at times, not so adept at cracking good jokes, passionate-eater, curious explorer. By the way, I

love crunching on ice- I'm an ice-breaker that way ( ha-ha-ha).

Do you feel that nepotism and 'casting couch' syndromes prevent genuine deserving talents from getting a break-thru ?

Honestly, I believe, that awesome talent can't be concealed.. If you have abundant talent you will initially get either small or even big opportunities. Nepotism is omnipresent all around us. Forget nepotism, focus more on your acting craft--is my take. But, all these odds don’t stop genuine talents from trying and we have numerous aspiring artistes who end up getting good breaks. Today, the kind of fresh content and the amazing talent we are watching is the biggest testimony of that. If a role is destined for you—it will certainly come to you.

Will Diwali 2020 be quite different for you--from those of previous years ?

Not really. Am still taking the flight back home (Lucknow). Am all set for twinkling lights, fireworks, munching mithaai, meeting old hometown-buddies, the Diwali-ki-safaai, shopping sprees and Laxmi-pujan. Of course, the corona pandemic-precautions have now become inseparable from our daily lives. Everything else remains blissfully intact, with no major difference.